ComplaintsforChippewa Valley Real Estate and Property Management

• Initial Complaint

  03/19/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I submitted an application for a rental property owned by CVPM on 3/8/24 and was contacted to set up a showing. I attended the showing, my roommate filled out an application as well, and we were notified that we were approved on 3/15/24. I was told it's OK that I own a dog, as long as she is registered as an emotional support animal ****** She now is and I have been waiting for the registration to come in the mail to prove to CVPM. I was told that's all I needed to do. On 3/18/24, I dropped off my security deposit. The girl working said "now if you find something you like better, there's no takesie backsies!" They asked if I would send a picture of my dog to them. As soon as I left, I sent the picture and was immediately followed up with them asking what breed my dog is. I stated "pitbull/lab mix", which is what I had previously stated in my application as well. CVPM messaged me some hours later that day, stating that "they thought she was just a labrador" and their insurance companies will not cover the pitbull breed, and I will receive a refund and cannot rent through them. No where on their website does it state that they have breed restrictions, nor was I ever told prior to this. It is also illegal to deny me housing with an **** no matter the breed or type of animal. This was completely a mistake on their part not reading my application thoroughly, where I had already disclosed she was a pitbull mix. This was also their mistake by rescinding their offer due to having an **** I have heard many horror stories about this company, so I believe this is a blessing to not be renting through them. They are unprofessional and unjust and should not be able to do this to others in the future. I can provide screenshots if needed. Thank you.

  Business response

  03/19/2024

  On 3/18, ****** provided Chippewa Valley Property Management a security deposit for a unit managed by CVPM. After this was obtained, the marketing coordinator noticed that the tenant had sent in a photo of the animal that was clearly not just a Labrador she had believed it was. The application did state pitbull/lab mix instead of just a Labrador she had previously thought the animal was, but that was missed during the first check of the application.
  We had asked the insurance provider if we would be able to have a Pitbull on the property. They stated Your insurance company does not accept the following dog breeds: Pitbull, American Staffordshire Terrier,Staffordshire Terrier, German *******, and any type of mix of these breeds.

  
  We gave this information to the tenant on 3/18 and quoted ********* State Statute: ******, 2M, (br), 4b. that states unfortunately,allowing the animal would impose an undue financial and administrative burden or would fundamentally alter the nature of services provided by the lessor,owner, or representative if they cannot keep their homeowners insurance with an unapproved pet and/or the property would be flagged for doing so, hence we would not be able to accept it at the property, nor would it be a reasonable accommodation.

  
  We apologized for not seeing that on her application previously and let the prospective tenant know that we could mail it back to her or she can come by to pick up the security deposit at any point that would be most convenient for her as we were not able to accept her pet (possible **** documentation never received as stated in complaint to confirm if it was in fact an *** and under ******, 2M, (br), 4a it states nothing in this subsection prohibits an owner, lessor, ******'s agent, owner's agent, or representative of a condominium association from denying an individual the ability to keep an animal in housing if they fail to provide documentation requested). She elected to pick up her refund for the full amount of $925 today 3/19 at 4pm and has since done so.

  
  Our pet restrictions are also listed on our website at ***********************************************************

• Initial Complaint

  11/10/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Chippewa valley property management doesn't return calls I am needing a place to stay and they don't answer phones or return messages. It's kinda a big deal considering how many places they have in the Chippewa area. Businesses should be responsive to calls about potential customers for being as big as they are they don't seem really attentive to the needs of prospective clients. They put out automated messages on their ******** marketplace rentals with their phone and fax numbers they don't respond to their phone calls or their ads I don't have access to fax and don't know many people that do. I don't think they should be doing business like this.

  Business response

  11/10/2023

  Hello,

  Chippewa Valley Property Management is very confused by this complaint. ***** states that we did not call him back but it fails to mention that when he called at 8:46am this morning, we returned his call at 9:14am and spoke with ***** directly to schedule a showing for 3pm on Monday the 13th prior to receiving this complaint at 9:38am. 
  
  CVPM does receive hundreds of calls a day from prospective tenants looking for a rental and wanting to set up a showing. current tenants with rent questions or maintenance concerns (especially now that it is winter in *********), current/prospective owners with questions or concerns about their properties, and from vendors currently working on our properties maintenance needs. We are unable to answer every phone call that comes through real time; however, all voicemails left are returned in the order of importance as we have to attend to any current tenants or owners first that are dealing with an emergency that needs to be attended to immediately for the safety of our properties and our tenants. We try to get back to prospective tenants inquiring about a showing within 48 business hours. 

• Initial Complaint

  10/24/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  We have placed many maintenance requests for safety concerns. These include, but are not limited to: ceiling falling down, pipes leaking grey water from ceiling, ceiling missing with mold exposed, multiple gas leaks in furnace, electric of entire rooms being ran off extension cords inside wall framing and plugged into outlets in connecting rooms, cracks and bowing of ceilings, stair railings broken, water leaking into outlets from rain drainage, etc.It took 14 months to fix the ceiling that fell down on our child due to plumbing issues. The basement has leaked for over 5 months with no response. I have correspondence from the energy company that the furnace leaking gas was reported as non-compliant to the city due to improper handling of the issue, as it was recommended to replace and they only repaired. The electrical issues have never been addressed nor has a licensed electrician ever assessed the property.I have major concerns about the safety of the property and am still getting notice that they are showing the property to potential new tenants, rather than fixing the structural issues that are extremely dangerous.

  Business response

  11/01/2023

  In response to the complaint submitted on 10/24/2023 by ***************************, the previous tenant of *************, here is our recounting of the different maintenance requests. 

  
  Living Room Ceiling Leak: In August of 2021, there was an incident where there was a leak coming from the upstairs bathroom, which damaged the ceiling. The ceiling was replaced with a new drop ceiling after the repairs were made. There was not a 14-month latency period between the issue starting and the repairs/ceiling to be completed. Over the last two years, there were two isolated incidents of leaks coming from the upper bathroom that needed to be repaired. In April of 2022, it was reported that there was a new leak in the ceiling. We replaced the overflow gasket that was leaking, and there were no further issues. In November of 2022, there was another leak coming from the bathroom. We replaced the trap assembly and installed a new shower surround, as both appeared in need of replacement. After each instance of a repair, there weren't any follow-up maintenance requests stating the leak had continued. Carpets were also professionally cleaned after the surround and trap replacements to ensure a sanitary environment for the tenants. 

  
  Gas Leak: In March of this year, the tenants reported a smell of gas in the unit. Our company called ************ and our Maintenance Coordinator met with the Xcel representatives at the property. Once Xcel confirmed the leak, we contracted CCS Services to come perform the repairs to re-start service. They replaced a leaking gas valve and also replaced some parts in the furnace that weren't functioning correctly. The City or any utility company has never contacted us regarding an improper repair on the furnace. In our experience, Xcel wouldn't have restored gas service to the property if they deemed the repairs unsafe or improper. 
  Basement Leakage: The tenants first reported a leak in their basement on August 14th of this year. The next day, when we had a technician investigate the leak, he determined it was an issue with the grading and adjusted the grading near the house, and installed some new window well covers to help keep water away from the house. We did not hear anything from the tenants regarding this being a continued issue until September 13th of this year. We found that there was a clog in the gutters directly above the reported location of the leak and cleaned it out. Everything appeared dry in the basement as well. 

  
  Stair Railing: There was a staircase railing that came detached off of the living room. We were informed of this when our maintenance coordinator visited the property for the reported gas leak mentioned above. A technician was sent the following day to re-affix the railing to the walls. 

  
  Outlets, cracks on ceilings, water in outlets: These are all newly reported issues that ***** referenced when we informed her we would begin showing her unit to prospective tenants in a message on 10/20/2023. We informed her that maintenance would be performing a walkthrough on the unit to document any concerns and that they would be addressed during the turnover period between tenants as the previous tenants were wrapping up moving out of the property. 
  

  This complaint states that maintenance problems have been ongoing for a very long time with no results. We would be happy to supply work order records or pictures of various repairs we have to show that all maintenance concerns were addressed promptly and, once repaired, no follow-up calls from the tenants regarding any of the requests in email, text, or through the maintenance portal were received. Let us know if you have any additional questions. 
  
  

  
  

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