ComplaintsforT. R. Lawing Realty, Inc.

• Initial Complaint

  10/12/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Spouse and I have leased a townhome through TR Lawing. August 28 a clog/leak in a sewage line (neighbors drain) caused flooding with water damage and extensive mold discovered. TR Lawing took 2 weeks since report to take action demoing the kitchen down to studs. It is now October 11 and work to repair kitchen has begun but is not yet complete. We have paid $1095 for the month of August, $1195 for the month of September, and $677.11 for October **** (as we are vacating and terminating lease on 17th). We have met all of our contractual obligations during which time we have had no kitchen and a hole large enough for passage adjoining our unit to our neighbors and with his unit having a large 5ftx3ft breach to the exterior (left there from plumbing repairs) therefore no way to properly secure our home against home invasion, the elements, or pests. TR Lawing originally assured us via voicemail ( which I have saved) we would receive our rent back beginning Sept 28 (day of first maintenance report) until unit is restored to inhabitability with kitchen reinstalled. Since then they have amended their statement that they will return part of what was paid according to what they think the property is worth with no kitchen and we have not received any abatement from past months. We would like our rent refunded

  Business response

  10/18/2023

  Thank you for the opportunity to respond.  I have reviewed the complaint.  We are in agreement with the timeline of events for the most part.  This was an unfortunate event that was not caused by the resident, owner of the property or T. R. Lawing Realty, Inc.  We responded quickly to the issue and began immediate remediation per insurance standards.  Unfortunately, the sewage clog caused damage to multiple units causing the owner to file a claim with their insurance carrier.  This did cause delays for the restoration portion of the repair.  This delay did cause frustrations with all parties involved.  We do believe the resident is due some type of refund, due to having a portion of their home not useable for approximately 50 days.  The resident vacated the premises on 10/17/23 as stated.  Once we had a firm end date (the tenant vacating), we were able to consult with the owner on a fair refund on the rent.  We reached out to the resident on 10/17/23 and offered a refund in rent of $1,991.50.  We have not had a response from the resident as of 8:00pm on 10/18/23.  We are committed to a quick and fair resolution in this matter.  We are hopeful that the resident will respond to your email and we can work towards a resolution.

• Initial Complaint

  11/15/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I have living in this home since December 2020. I filed a maintenance request on October 20th 2022 about the heat not working. Someone was sent out the same day and we were told he couldnt fix it due to needing a part so he had to get approval. It has been well over 3 weeks and I have not received any calls or emails back. I have a small child in the home and I am also pregnant. The weather is below freezing temperatures right now.

  Business response

  11/18/2022

      Thank you for the opportunity to provide additional information to the complaint by Lasheica Stofford.  We strive to provide fair and professional property management services to everyone and regret any dissatisfaction by prospects, residents, previous residents, clients, vendors or members of the public.
      We dispatched a local HVAC contractor as soon as the problem was reported and, in fact, the contractor diagnosed the problem and submitted a proposal to repair it on Sunday morning, October 20.   As we did not have authority to approve the quote of $971, it was sent to the owner of the property.
      For whatever reason, it took three emessages plus at least two phone calls to the owner before he approved the full proposal.   Also and at about the same time ******************** contacted the BBB, the contractor was already gathering the repair parts which were needed.
      I am pleased to report that all work was satisfactorily completed yesterday and, in a follow-up message, ******************** was kind enough to rate the repairs as 5 out of 5 and included this comment The contractor did a great job with communicating and getting my heat fixed.   The property management should try to do way better with communicating due to my child and I going almost a month with no heat in freezing cold weather.
     We do regret the delay in making these extensive repairs and we appreciate Ms. ********* patience.   Also,we are using this situation for some additional internal training.
     Again, thank you for the opportunity to provide additional information.

• Initial Complaint

  10/12/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  My experience with TR lawing was definitely. A wakeup call. After completing my obligation as a good tenant. I returned the key, the house was as i got it. They would not know how it was. I got this home from a different realty management company ****** realty in early 2020. As the pandemic hit. Therefore i had to take the house as it was. I waited 30 days after my move date to collect my deposit. It never happened. They instead sent me a bill full of unfounded baseless claims.they accused me of unthinkable things like, sheetrock damage etc.where? I have a video to prove otherwise. It is puzzling how they would lie. The house has a tree that fell on it, 2 months ago. The tree damaged my property and its still on the house 2 month later. I dealt with black molds. Big black bug infestation. I still paid my rent on time. I do want my deposit back. I sent them a demand letter. I haven't gotten a response. I need help resolving this. Im Only 1 little tenant vs the big company and big lawyer. Its unfortunate we have to revert to this. Please do not do business with this company. For they are ruthless liars and try to steal a poor mans hard work for a trashy place. I just want my deposit and im giving them a chance to amicably resolve this.

  Business response

  10/15/2022

  Thank you for the opportunity to provide additional information to the complaint by *******************************.  We strive to provide fair and professional property management services to everyone and regret any dissatisfaction by prospects, residents, previous residents, clients, vendors or members of the public.

  
  We assumed management of **** ******************** in August 2020 and after ******************* had taken occupancy but we have interior photos from the local MLS which were taken just prior to his occupancy,invoices for a new refrigerator purchased during his occupancy and a large number of written notes & photos taken during our vacancy inspection.
  

  As to paying his rent on time, ******************** paid late fees in Sept 2020, Jan 2021 & May 2021. He did not submit any maintenance requests nor report a fallen tree, yard debris, mold or any infestation during his occupancy.  Instead, ******************** left auto parts and a water tank in the yards; so many cockroaches, maggots & fleas that professional extermination and replacement of an almost-new refrigerator were required; replacement of very dirty air filters; and other non wear-and-tear damages.

  
  Prior to filing his complaint, ******************** only correspondence to us was a profane demand on October 4 for a full refund without specificity and a threat of legal action.  On the same day, *************************, property manager, simply asked ******************** via email for an itemized list of the items that you are disputing to be submitted in writing.   No such list has been received.
  

  Also and in an effort to resolve this matter, a review of the Statement of Deposit for *************************************** was conducted on October ********************************* the damages charged from $2,771.30 to $2,274.50. His security deposit totaled $995.00.   We still invite ******************** to provide a list of disputed charges as well as the video to prove otherwise mentioned in his complaint.

  
  Again, thank you for the opportunity to provide additional information.

• Initial Complaint

  09/21/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  The complaint is against the rental company and their lack of action on the property. We have had wild instances in which one Xmas eve of last year I was told to let a maintenance man into my apartment who, it turned out didnt work for the company at all. *** had an inebriated maintence man show up twice to fix my AC only to break it further. After the initial AC unit began leaking into the living room it ruined the carpet, I even mentioned that I would replace the floors. After they denied the carpet replacement I had to take matter into my own hands because the carpet had began to rot. After removing the carpet we came across mold and disintegrated asbestos tile. When I found the mold and tile they told me I had broken my lease by removing the filthy carpet and I mentioned that they had also broken the lease by not replacing the windows that have rusted shut in both the living room and the bedroom. It is definitely a fire hazard in the bedroom! The attitude of the company is gruff and lethargic, not to mention the broken AC that still needs to be replaced. When I first moved in I cited that the kitchen sink unit was crumbling and they put two plastic shelves OVER it, this prevented me from fitting my trashcans under the sink, when I mentioned this to the worker he said get shorter trashcans. There was even a broken down car in the parking lot that we had to hound them about getting towed away, it didnt belong to anyone in the building! I am quite handy and have asked multiple times to **************** and was told no, but once the health concerned came into play its almost like theyre doing less work. The property manager said he would allow me out of my lease, but that isnt what I was looking for: I want a clean safe space to live in.

  Business response

  09/23/2022

  The complainant has been a resident with us since November 2019. We have diligently responded to all of his maintenance requests and worked to resolve issues promptly.  We have always sent workers into his residence that were either employees of our company, or employees of the owner of the property.  We have never sent anyone inside his property who was inebriated or under the influence.  We have investigated his allegations of the inebriated workers and they are false.  The resident did ask to replace the flooring in his unit.  He was told by our Property Manager that he would need to provide a plan of action, in writing, prior to any permission being granted.  We never received any written request from the resident for flooring replacement.  After the flooring was removed without written permission, and alleged mold and asbestos, we have sent a licensed contractor to evaluate and provide a solution.  The resident notified us of the issue with the windows on 9/20/2022 and we are working to resolve that issue as well.  We have sent several workers over for the A/C.  The A/C operates correctly, the resident can control it with the remote provided.  The condensation from the unit does drip on the balcony/patio and this is bothersome to the resident. We are unable to find any record regarding the issue with the kitchen sink and the resident's trash cans.  We apologize for any misunderstanding.  In February 2020, there was a car that was damaged by a large fallen tree.  It did take a couple weeks to have the car removed.  We apologize for any inconvenience.  We are working to resolve the flooring issue.  We will also continue to work on the window issue that was brought to our attention this week.  The property manager did offer the resident to end his lease to allow him to find more suitable housing if he chooses.  We will continue to honor that offer.  At the same time, we will continue to remedy any issues that arise in a professional and courteous manner.
  

  Customer response

  09/27/2022

  Complaint: 18053327
  
  I am rejecting this response because:
  They have still not actually tested for black mold or followed up about the asbestos tile (see email response from ************)
  They have still not replaced the ** unit which is fully broken now and is a MUST since both windows are rusted shut.
  They have not given a time frame on the windows that are unable to open.
  unfortunately they seem confused about the broken down car. It was in the parking lot when I moved in and took two months to tow, it was later in February when a tree fell on a tenants mustang.
  the repair man was obviously inebriated and showed up a day early with no ** unit and no intention of replacing one.
  the meld service that logs the maintenance requests has been reformatted and no longer includes any of the maintenance requests from previous years.
  I have attached pictures of the work they have done and that i find concerning.
  Sincerely,
  
  *************************

  Business response

  10/03/2022

  Here is an update for the ongoing repairs at the complainants unit.  We have a contractor ready to begin work on the following items:

   

               Assess the condition of the wall adjacent to the ** unit and estimate wall repair as needed, and replacement of the ** unit itself.

               Measure the windows and order replacement windows.

               Measure the kitchen base cabinet and order a replacement cabinet, sink, and faucet.

               Assess the ** floor and provide an estimate to seal the floor, then install new pad & carpet.

   

  We will not have a target date for completion of these repairs right away. Once the contractor takes these measurements and determines what needs to be done, we can develop a game plan and timeline.  We will communicate a target date for each issue as soon as the contractor can see what all needs to be done.  For right now, we just need them to be able to access the unit.

   

  Thank again,

  *********************, Vice President

  CCIM, CPM, GRI, ePro

  T. R. Lawing Realty, Inc.

*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. ↩