ComplaintsforHomestead Recording Service

• Initial Complaint

  01/12/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I purchased my first home in 2018, I received a letter from: Homestead Recording Service, located in ****** **. It looked legit so, I filled out and notarized document, sent payment in the mail. Today: January 12,2024 = 6 years after living in my home, after talking directly to ****, I just found out that this is not a legit company and my Homestead was never filed. So now, I had to sign up again, and it only goes back to years! This has totally messed up my taxes and has elevated my mortgage payment. I'm devastated! I want my money back and want to make sure no one else falls for this scam.

  Business response

  01/12/2024

  If ******************** spoke to Harris County Appraisal District that is not the office we filed her Designation of Homestead at.  If she used our document preparation service and filing service the Designation of Homestead would be filed at the **************************** not the Harris County Appraisal District.  The Designation of Homestead does not affect the homestead tax exemption and is not handled by the ****************** which is why they most likely described our company as unfavorable because the appraisal district will handle the tax exemption for free which is what we do not do.  We would be happy to refund ******************** any money she paid, but we can not find an account for her with the address and last name given in her inquiry.  If we can please get any last name she might have used when signing up and the address of the property at that time we can remedy her situation. Thanks

• Initial Complaint

  11/30/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Sales and Advertising Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  This is a fraudulent company that is submitting fraudulent requests for a "designation of homestead request form" in the mail and is committing mail fraud.

  Business response

  11/30/2023

  Thanks for the communication.  The Designation of Homestead is real and offered to homeowner's in *****.  There is no scam or fraud in helping a homeowner prepare and file for the Designation of Homestead which is what our company does.  The Designation of Homestead is part of the ***** Constitution and protects a ******************* from the forced sale, for the payment of all debts except for the purchase money and taxes due (ex. civil judgments, medical debt, credit card debt, auto loans, etc.).  This protection is offered to a homeowner once the appropriate paperwork is filed at the County ************** in the county the property is resides.  We prepare this paperwork as well as offer an additional recording service.  We are sorry that this homeowner is unfamiliar with this homestead and hope they research it more to see the benefits they could receive.

• Initial Complaint

  11/30/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  This service is very deceiving and did not get the service I expected.Not only did I miss out on my homestead exemption for 2023. I also paid for a service I didnt need, but thought I was getting. I reached out to Homestead Recording Service, but havent received a response.

  Business response

  11/30/2023

  We are sorry ****************** did not see on our form where it states "The Designation of Homestead Does Not Affect And Is Not A Homestead Tax Exemption".  We help homeowners file for the Designation which is a filing for a protection on the property from creditors.  As for ****************** not receiving a response from our company, he left a voicemail on our phone system with his request which was processed within the hour of his call.  In the voicemail it states the refund will be mailed within 3 to 5 business days and does not require a call back from us based on the voicemails direction.  Also, the deadline for filing a tax exemption is April 30th of the year a homeowner is trying to file.  ****************** signed up for our service on June 12th well past the due date.  Thanks

• Initial Complaint

  11/15/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  This business is a fraud! We paid two payments totaling $84 ($35 and $49) a year ago, believing that our Homestead exemption would be filed as a result. We just received our tax bill and no exemption was ever filed nor did we receive any emails or documents back from this company confirming anything. So, as a result our property taxes are astronomical and we don't have any recourse it seems. Absolutely horrified that we were scammed into this right after purchasing our home in 2022.

  Business response

  11/15/2023

  Thanks for your message from ************************  The service our company provides is for the Designation of Homestead not the tax exemption, therefore completing our service would not affect their taxes.  The Designation of Homestead is filed at the County ************** (not tax appraisal district) and once complete protects a property from creditors (credit card debt, medical bills, civil judgments, etc.).  We helped *********************** complete this filing to be protected under this law.   We are sorry that *********************** was thinking this would affect her tax exemption, but we clearly state several times on the documentation that the Designation does not affect the tax exemption.  As requested we will mail *********************** a refund of the $84.  This will be mailed early next week.

  Customer response

  11/16/2023

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.
  
  Regards,
  
  ***************************

• Initial Complaint

  11/06/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I bought a new home in Harris County and received an official looking letter about filing a homestead form. Now, when I reviewed my card payments, did I realize the $35 payment was not made to any official body but to www.hrstx.com / www.hrstx.comtx. I looked this up online, only to find out it was a scam. I received no emailed receipt when I paid. Payment was taken on November 6, 2023.

  Business response

  11/06/2023

  We mailed via first class mail to **************** the paperwork for the Designation of Homestead on 11-06-2023.  She should have received within 5 to 7 business days.  This documentation would have come with instructions on how to sign in front of a notary and file at her county clerk's office to complete the Homestead.  Our company is not a scam and provides a service for the Designation of Homestead.  There are two Homesteads in ***** and because of this people think we are trying to file the 2nd Homestead (tax exemption) for a fee which we do not assist in the tax exemption.  This Homestead can be completed for free at the county appraisal district.  Because of this people write incorrect and erroneous information on line about what our company does.  We will go ahead and refund ******************** credit card for the original transaction.  We offer a 100% customer satisfaction.  If she would like we can re-mail her the paperwork for the Designation to complete free of charge.  Just let us know.

  Thanks

• Initial Complaint

  08/30/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Customer Service Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I used this Homestead Designation service. I filled out the required form, had it notarized, and sent in $50 fee to have HRS file my Homestead Exemption. I received a letter from HRS in the mail confirming that my HE was filed in my Counties public record. In 2023 my taxes increased well beyond what is allowed for HE. When I went to protest, Fort Bend County Appraisal District told me I have no Homestead Exemption on file and that I was scammed by HRS. This has cost me thousands of dollars in taxes that would have otherwise been forgone if HRS did not steal my money and then lie about recording my homestead exemption with the county. I cannot get hold of anyone at HRS.

  Business response

  08/30/2023

  Thanks for you inquiry from Mr. ********.  Our company helps homeowner's file for the Designation of Homestead not the Homestead tax exemption.  We did in fact file Mr. ********** paperwork with the **********************'s office which is where the Designation of Homestead is completed.  He then received a formal copy of those documents once filed.  ******************** speaks of the Tax Exemption in his inquiry.  The tax exemption would be done with the Fort Bend County Tax Appraisal district which is a different office entirely.  Our service in no way affects the tax exemption nor do we deal with the Tax Appraisal district so they unfortunately are confusing what we do and misleading Mr. ******** into thinking we are not a real company.  Mr. ******** Designation is complete and that was the service we offered.  We are sorry ******************** is upset, but we completed the service offered.  Based on his inquiry we will go ahead and submit a refund for our service.  He will receive a credit to his charge card and a refund in the mail for the filing fee. Thanks

• Initial Complaint

  08/09/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  This business sent a flyer to file for homestead and scammed ** out of $35. Once charged, never received an email. Also, there were two further charges to Fan Duel stemming from this scam. They now owe us $446 total.

  Business response

  08/09/2023

  We have been in communication with **************** and explained what our service is and what the Designation of Homestead does for a homeowner.  We have also refunded him for the service and are still sending him his documentation free of charge in case he still wants to complete the Designation.  As for the additional charges on his card from Fan Duel, that is not related to our business.  **************** will have to contact them directly to determine how those charges have appeared.

• Initial Complaint

  08/07/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Sales and Advertising Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I bought a new home in Clark County, ****** (address provided with my details). Got an official looking letter about filing a homestead form. After reviewing matter online, I thought that would be a good idea so went to indicated website & paid. Only now, when I reviewed my card payments, did I realize the $25 payment was not made to any official body but rather to www.hrstx.com / www.hrstx.comtx. I looked this up online, only to find out it was a ******** got no emailed receipt when I paid. Payment was taken on 3 August 2023.

  Business response

  08/07/2023

  We have gone ahead and refunded ***************** credit card for the transaction. Thanks

• Initial Complaint

  08/04/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I MAILED 2 CHECKS FOR THE AMOUNTS OF $49.00 AND $35.00 TO HOMESTEAD THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO FILE MY HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION AND THEY NEVER DID AND I HAVE BEEN CALLING TO GET A REFUND AND ONLY THE AUTOMATED SYSTEM PICKS UP AND I LEAVE MY NAME AND ALL MY INFO. IT SAYS IF YOU WANT A REFUND TO LEAVE THE INFORMATION AND I DO BUT I HAVEN'T RECEIVED NOTHING. THE REASON I DID NOT FILE EARLIER BCUZ IM AT THE POINT WHERE I DONT KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO TO GET MY MONEY BACK. I FEEL IT IS A SCAM

  Business response

  08/05/2023

  We received ********************* request for a refund and mailed her a check on 4/26/2023.  It was cashed on 5/5/2023.  We have attached a copy of the cleared check.

• Initial Complaint

  07/18/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  Company mailed out a letter recommending I use their services to file my Homestead Exemption. I completed their form online and made payment through their website (www.hrstx.com) on August 1, 2022. It is now June 17, 2023 and no Homestead Exemption Applications have been filed with the county that I reside in. Upon calling the ****************** they notified me that nothing had been filed through any company. There was no confirmation or receipt other than the charge on my credit card statement to prove that a payment was made on their website. Company is mailing out unsolicited documents disguised to come from a government entity. I would like a full refund of my $35 as this company did not perform the service they said they would and is not an agency which processes these types of application for the state or county tax offices.

  Business response

  07/19/2023

  Thanks for the inquiry from Mr. *******.  We researched his account and see we mailed him the paperwork for the Designation of Homestead on 8-2-2022.  Along with the Designation was completion instructions.  Once mailed it is up to the homeowner to follow the instructions to complete the process of filing the Designation of Homestead (not tax exemption) with the county clerk's office.  We are not sure if he in fact did this.  Based on his request we went ahead and refunded the credit card used to pay for the service. Thanks 

  Customer response

  07/19/2023

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me. I received a refund. 
  
  Regards,
  
  *************************

*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. ↩