ComplaintsforBlock & Associates Realty

• Initial Complaint

  08/07/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Order Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  As an owner, Block has grossly mismanaged my rental property.Summary: Complete negligence. The lease required tenants to pay a years rent upfront due to their poor credit. The agent allowed them to move in without payment. Now, the tenants have broken their lease and arent paying anything.I moved from ******* to ******* for work and recently bought a new home in *******. I hired Block to rent it out, but their handling has been disastrous.I wasnt informed about the new tenants or sent their lease until the day before they moved in. I received a 4am call to sign the lease urgently, but it had multiple errors, requiring numerous revisions and delaying the move-in. The agent continued to contact me at odd hours for days due to further mistakes. Additionally, they only conducted a maintenance walk-through on move-in day, revealing several issues that could have been addressed much earlier.The lease specified that tenants must pay a years rent upfront. However, the agent allowed them to move in without full payment, citing delays in getting a money order. Despite my concerns, the agent dismissed them and admitted the process was poorly managed. The tenants paid about a third of the lease amount initially, but Block didnt send me any money until late April.The tenants eventually broke their lease and stopped paying. Block has supposedly been searching for new tenants, but communication has been poor. I discovered the lease break on June 3, but the house wasnt re-listed on Zillow until mid-July.I am currently unsure if the house is occupied, if there are any prospective tenants, or if any rent is coming in.

  Business response

  08/15/2024

  Thank you for the opportunity to respond to the complaint received by *************************. 
  
  We are disappointed that Mr. ******* experience working with Block did not meet his expectations as we strive to provide all clients and customers alike with the best service possible.  We acknowledge this situation is not typical.
  
  **************** is correct that the tenants vacated the home prior to their lease expiration due to purchasing another home. The tenants were made aware of their responsibilities under their lease to continue paying rent until a new tenant is in place unless an amicable lease termination agreement is signed. We have been working with both the owner and tenant in order to find a solution for both parties. As of this date, the tenants have not agreed to any termination agreement. Currently, the tenant is one month in arrears on rent payments. Any monies owed to the owner where the tenants have not been paid will be sent to collections, as we do in similar cases. 
  
  We apologize for any errors in our operations and that our team did not live up to expectations. Again, the tenants are responsible for lease payments for the lease until the home is re-rented or an amicable termination agreement can be agreed upon.  While tenants breaking the lease is outside of our control, because Block could have handled communication and situation better, Block is waiving our commission to re-rent the home, along with the August 2024 management fee.  As of 8/15/23, **************** approved a new Tenant, and we are working on getting the lease signed as soon as possible.
   
  

• Initial Complaint

  06/24/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I have been having sewage/water issues with my kitchen and bathroom sink for three years now. My kitchen sink has been clogged for three years and has not been fixed. Previous maintenance from ******************* would snake the line which would cause temporary relief. If I plunge my sink then my corresponding neighbors sink will be clogged and vice versa. I cannot use my washer because sewage comes up in the sink and water comes out of the water outlet. When I wash my dishes I have to wash them quickly before the kitchen sink clogs up. Sewage comes up in my bathroom sink when I attempt to plunge the clogged water. Block and Associates recently brought my apartment complex from ******************* Agency. I reached out regarding my sewage/sink issues on numerous occasions through Meld Maintenance request and ********************************* ************. Block and Associates sent a maintenance team to look at the issue who stated the property needed the main water pipe replaced due to rust over time. A maintenance guy came out to the property twice but failed to resolve the issue. The maintenance guy who came out did not check or look at my plumbing or any of my neighbors plumbing. I am paying monthly for unsanitary and unclean water that is not working properly. I have had to wash my face, brush my teeth and wash my hands at my kitchen sink since June 6, 2024. Block and Associates are failing to replace the main water pipe while continuing to charge us for unsanitary and unlivable living conditions.

  Business response

  07/03/2024

  To Whom It May ********************* you for the opportunity to respond to the complaint from Ms. ******* ******.  
  
  We are very sorry that **************** has been experiencing plumbing problems for three years.  Block & Associates Realty began management of this property in December 2023 after purchasing the management contract from the former management company.  It is also important to note that Ms. ******* unit is one unit in an individually owned apartment building that has eight total units. 
  
  **************** had mentioned that problems have been ongoing for three years. Since Block took over management in December 2023, we are unable to review any issues prior to that date since the property was managed by the former company.  
  
  With regards to current issue, in reviewing our maintenance software, this issue was first brought to our attention on June 2, 2024.  One of our plumbing vendors was assigned to assess when the maintenance issue was submitted to us,and hopefully, resolve the issue. After the initial call, when we followed up with ****************, we learned that the problem was still occurring.  The plumber was called back to the property to jet the lines on June 28, 2024.Again, this was unsuccessful. We are currently waiting for the recommendation and estimate from the plumber as to next steps to resolve the plumbing issue as this is more complex and will likely involve not only Ms. ******* but others in the building.    
  
  Additionally,our managing broker has reached out to **************** and has a scheduled call with her on Tuesday, July 9, 2024, to discuss Ms. ******* desired settlement.  
  
  As you can see, since this was brought to our attention, we have taken every step we can to get it taken care of.  We are fully committed to working with the Property Owner to bring a complete resolution to this issue and to assist **************** as best we can.  Lastly, any settlement with **************** requires the approval of the Property Owner.

   

  
  

• Initial Complaint

  11/10/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  This company operates in an unlawful and unethical manner. They have been dodging my calls and not responding to me in a timely manner. The rental property burned down over a month ago, and investigators on both sides have determined that the fire was not due to the fault or negligence of the tenant (I have spoken to the fire investigator myself). I have yet to receive my prorated rent money for the month of October (the fire took place on 10/3/23) as well as the initial security deposit. I have sent a certified cancellation letter stating that this property is uninhabitable and will need my money refunded. However, Block Realty is asking me to sign the cancellation letter stating that $1000 will be withdrawn from my original security deposit without any explanation. I have asked multiple times where this decision is coming from. The first time I was told that it was my renters insurance deductible which they will be withholding from my deposit. When I called State Farm, an agent clearly told me that under no circumstances does the landlord/realty company handle the deductible as this amount would be deducted directly from my claim by State Farm. I tried to connect Block Realty with State Farm on a three-way call, but they would not answer my calls as usual. When I explained this to Block Realty in an email, and asked them to show me proof of where it states in the signed contract that this money would be withheld from me in the event of a fire or in the case of a renters insurance deductible, they failed to provide me with any proof. The only response I received was, "We have gone back and forth on this long enough. It is unfortunate that you do not agree with how we are proceeding. The $1000 is being held as damages until cause of the fire is determined." I demand that the money be returned to me immediately. Otherwise, I will be taking further legal action to recover this money in full as well as all the court and attorney fees.

  Business response

  11/13/2023

  With regards to this incident, there was unfortunately a fire that occurred at the property. Nothing our company did was unlawful or unethical in this case.
  
  We were in contact with the tenant during this time.  Due to the sensitivity of the situation, we wanted to correspond as much as possible via email so there was written documentation. As of late last week, we have not been informed or have seen any documentation regarding who is at fault for the fire.Also as of late last week, we were informed by the *************************** that we may never receive a definitive answer as to the ultimate cause or who is at fault for the fire.
  
  As a company, we are able to hold back funds until the cause of the fire is known.  With that said, we were trying to expedite paying back the pro-rated rent and a large portion of the security deposit back even with the fire determination unknown.  As the tenant mentioned, up until late last week, the tenant had been refusing to sign the cancellation letter so we could pay back the pro-rated rent and a large portion of the security deposit. The termination agreement also said that once a final determination for the fire is known that the remaining security deposit would be returned. The tenant is correct in that we had been waiting until a final determination as to who was at fault to release the full security deposit, as is allowed until the final determination was made. 
  
  Due to the information received late last week regarding that a final determination may never be known from the *************************** and upon further approval from the owner to release all funds, we have edited the cancellation letter for the tenant to sign to receive back the full security deposit and pro-rated rent.  The tenant will need to agree to sign and we will provide funds back. 

• Initial Complaint

  09/16/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Order Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I signed a lease for a property in ** moving across country after having viewed it over FaceTime. I was informed it did need professionally cleaned, including carpets which could be requested in rental application which was accepted by the owner. Upon arrival the rental unit was infested with mold in the walls and vents and therefore uninhabitable. (B&A later tried to blame me because I requested both professional carpet cleaning and professional house cleaning but that I should have listed every area that needed to be cleaned, which is entirely unreasonable and ignores the fact it was still infested with mold and uninhabitable). We were left homeless for a little under a week and not a single person has apologized from Block and Associates, as the listing company. The owner of property finally gave all our money back only after yelling at us and bragging how they were comfortable in a million dollar home as we were still homeless. My issue is that this company knowingly lists properties that are uninhabitable and gets away with it, doesnt change their practices to prevent these issues, refuses to take ownership for their mistakes, continues to work with owners that treat renters inhumanly, and will continue to do it to other people. These are peoples lives they are dealing with and as a company should be approaching it with the highest level of ethics. Ive discovered Block and Associates are known for having unethical practices and and providing homes in the poorest conditions which I only discovered after speaking to several people in the area. ** recommend staying far away from this company as they did nothing to prevent or remediate this situation, in a very intentional way. I doubt Im the first this has happened to nor will I be the last. It was a traumatic experience and ******************************************* didnt even have the decency to at least apologize for what happened. To knowingly list properties that arent liveable is truly unethical.

  Business response

  09/22/2022

  ************* did sign a lease at a property that we had listed for rent, although we did not manage the property.  In this particular circumstance, we were engaged to only find a renter for the property. We did not notice any sort of habitability issue upon listing the home for rent.  If we had noticed any habitability issues, we would not have had the home listed for rent.
  
  As ************** acknowledges, she did not personally visit/view the property prior to submitting her application.  She relied solely on a FaceTime showing with her realtor. During the video tour with her realtor, habitability issues were not seen or noticed by ************** or her realtor that was physically present.Additionally, no other prospects or agents notified us of any potential habitability issues while they were touring the home. ************** submitted an application on 7/11/22.  The lease did not begin until 9/1/2022. The owner is responsible for the home until the lease began, but prior to 7/11/22, there were no indications of any habitability issues.
  
  After the tour with her realtor, ************** did submit an application for the property.  In the application, we state that we do not manage all properties.  Additionally, we state that Block highly recommends that each Applicant physically tour and inspect the property.
  
  While our application specifically states that the rental is as-is unless the applicant specifies work they would like done, **************** application did include a broad notation regarding carpet cleaning and typical cleaning prior to move-in.  There were no special considerations listed in the lease itself for specific work to be completed in the property.  As Block did not handle the management of this property, we can only presume the Owners believed they had adequately addressed the cleaning request.
  
  We regret to hear about **************** unfortunate situation and interaction with the owner of the property.  As the lease is between the tenant and the owner and we do not manage the home, we are not in a position to remediate the situation.  However, because of **************** dissatisfaction with the property, the Owners immediately agreed to release her from and terminate her Rental Contract.  She was given a complete and full refund of the monies she paid for this rental.

• Initial Complaint

  01/24/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  Emailed company via ad for a house rental. I recieved a reply shortly thereafter via email. They told me about the application fee, were I too apply, and that any application I might send in as going to be behind several others. Because of there being multiple applications ahead of mine, per their email, I decided not to pursue the rental and look elsewhere. However, the next day they called me about the house. We spoke, and I asked specifically about other applications currently in for the house. I also said that if there were others ahead of me, I didn't want to bother with it and that I'd look elsewhere just to avoid the hassle. She said there were no other applications on the house. So, we arranged for a showing a few days later. There was no more contact between us after this, except for the morning before said showing. They sent a text asking that I confirm the showing for the next day. I did, and shortly thereafter, I received another I received another text informing me that there were already multiple applications for the house and that the showing was canceled. Seems convenient that all these applications just showed up right after I confirmed the showing that was scheduled, after I had specifically asked about, and confirmed over the phone, that there were none when we spoke a few days prior. They lied about that, and were likely just fishing to get a numerous people interested in the house, assuming one of several would get sign a lease. It's one thing if a house gets taken quickly in a crazy market, that's totally understandable. However, it's another when I ask about other potential applications already for the house and they lie about it and say there are none, when there actually are. As I told them over the phone, I wouldn't have bothered with them, if they'd been honest, and I simply would have looked elsewhere for a rental. Instead, they lied, wasted my time, and made me take off work and reschedule other things for no reason. It's unacceptable.

  Business response

  01/26/2022

  More information received from the consumer: Received contact from the company. The situation was explained to me over the phone. According to the one who called me about the issue, there were no applications on the house at the time of the phone call I received from them about said house. According to him, multiple applications were in place at some point after that. If this is true, then the situation I referenced in my complaint was a disconnect in timing. I received a confirmation text on Monday morning about the viewing. A short time later I received a text canceling the viewing due to multiple applications on the house. In appearance, it would seem that those applications had already been there when I asked about them initially. The man that called me today explained that that was not the case. If that's true, then they certainly need to be more prompt/effective in how the tenant turner software informs potential tenants of changes/unavailability. If it was actually unavailable days prior, there shouldn't have been both confirmation and cancelation on the same day, one day before the planned viewing. He explained things well enough, and I found him believable. Though, said disconnect in the timing of informing potential tenants makes me believe that my initial assumptions of being lied to about applications already on the house were reasonable, even if not that was not what ultimately happened.

*Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business. ↩