3
Oct

How To File a Complaint Against Property Management Company

I
September 26, 2022

If you are unhappy tenants with the services or property management provided by a company, you can take a few steps to address the situation.

First, attempt to resolve your concerns with the company directly. If this doesn't work, the next best thing is to file a complaint with the appropriate agency.

Property management companies must abide by many regulations, so filing a complaint may result in changes that make your life easier.

What Is A Property Manager

A property manager is a professional who oversees, manages, and maintains real estate properties. 

They typically work in the real estate industry but may also work in other fields where managing or overseeing properties is required. 

The duties of a property manager vary depending on the organization they work for but generally include the following:

  • Overseeing the day-to-day operations of the property.
  • Making sure all legal obligations are met.
  • Promoting the property's profitability.

What do Property Managers Do?

Property managers must resolve issues arising from property management.

They may be involved in the initial sale of a property, negotiating leases, coordinating maintenance and repairs, and assuring that all required permits are obtained.

Property managers often know local laws and regulations (legal action), allowing them to make informed decisions about managing a property best.

What is a property management company?

Property managers are companies that manage residential and commercial properties. They typically charge a fee for their services, including overseeing repairs, maintenance, and security.

Property managers usually work with landlords to ensure that properties are in good condition and meet the needs of their tenants.

What Is The Fair Housing Act?

The Fair Housing Laws of 1968 prohibit discrimination (from race, creed, or sexual orientation) in housing. The law applies to all housing, including rental, commercial, and public accommodations. The act also provides protection against retaliation for filing a fair housing complaint.

What Is The Landlord Tenant Laws?

Landlord-tenant laws are a set of statutes and regulations that govern the legal relationship between landlords and tenants.

These laws vary by state, but landlords generally follow specific guidelines when renting out property to tenants. In contrast, tenants must comply with particular rules regarding their behavior on the property.

Understanding these laws can help you manage your relationship with your landlord or tenant more effectively.

What Are Some Common Complaints Filed By Tenants

1 - Pest Reports

Tenants in some rental properties will complain about pests overrunning their homes. These pests can be small, like spiders or ants, or larger, like rats or cockroaches.

In some cases, the pests have caused property damage or interfered with the tenants' quality of life. Some landlords are responding by exterminating the pests and issuing refunds to tenants.

2 - Maintenance Issues

Tenants often complain about maintenance issues, especially when they experience water leaks, broken windows, and doors, or faulty heating and cooling systems.

Some of these tenant complaints may result from neglect by the landlord or property managers. In contrast, others may result from temporary difficulties that can be fixed with little effort from landlords or property managers.

In any case, it's essential for tenants to know their rights and to file complaints if they believe that their landlord is not taking appropriate measures to maintain their rental property and being as responsible as they should be.

3 - Noise Disturbance

In general, tenants complain about noise disturbance the most. This can be anything from a neighbor's party until 3 am to incessant barking dogs. Other common complaints include long-term noise complaints, issues with parking, and maintenance issues.

4 - Communication Hurdles (Can't Contact Manager)

Tenants often have complaints about communication with their landlords. Not being able to communicate with the property manager to fix an issue is a huge issue.

This can range from difficulty getting updates on repairs or maintenance to the inability to get in touch with the landlord (via telephone calls, letter, or emails) when they have questions.

Some tenants say that they never receive responses to email or phone messages and that tracking down the landlord is challenging.

What are the steps to filing a complaint against a property management company?

1 - Try A Direct Call To The Property Management Company

If you have a problem with managing your property, there are a few things you should keep in mind. 

First, try calling the property management company directly. You can file a complaint with the appropriate government agency if that doesn't work. 

Here are the steps to take: 

  1. Get all the required information you need to file a complaint. This includes your name and address, as well as the dates and times of incidents that occurred. 
  2. Check with your state's consumer protection agency to find out if filing a complaint against your landlord or property management company is legal in your condition. 
  3. Write down what happened and who was involved. This will help you remember what details were important when speaking with representatives from the company or investigating your situation further on your own.

2 - File a Complaint Against the Bad Property Management Company

First, it is essential to understand what type of complaint to make and whether filing suit is an option.

Once you have determined the appropriate step to take, the next step is gathering evidence that will support your case. This may include notes from inspections, copies of contract documents, and correspondence between yourself and the property management company.

Finally, you will need to prepare a formal complaint letter which should be sent to the company in question.

Ensure that the letter is clear and concise and that you provide all of the information requested in their reply form.

Legal assistance may be available through local law firms or organizations like The National Apartment Association (NAA) if necessary.

3 - File a Complaint with the Better Business Bureau

Filing a complaint with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) is one of the most effective steps when dealing with a property management company. The BBB will evaluate your complaint and attempt to resolve it. 

Here are the steps to filing a complaint with the BBB: 

  1. Look up the property management company on BBB’s website. 
  2. Click on “File a Complaint” under the company’s listing. 
  3. Complete the online form and then attach any supporting documentation, such as contracts, invoices, or tenant letters. 
  4. Send your complaint to BBB Headquarters via mail, fax, or e-mail. Remember to include your contact information so BBB staff can follow up on your complaint. 

4 - File A Lawsuit Against The Bad Property Manager

If you are disgruntled with the property management services provided by a particular company, the first step is to file a complaint.

This will help you gather evidence to support your case and protect your rights.

Several steps need to be followed to file a complaint against a property management company:

1. Identify the problem. To have a valid complaint, the issue must be clear and specific. It is not enough to say that you are unhappy with the service; you need to provide specific examples (having pictures and video is an excellent thing to have) of how the company has wronged you.

2. Exercise your right to complain. The first step in any dispute is communication between the parties involved. Make sure you communicate your concerns directly to the property management company so they can understand what needs to be fixed.

5 - Contact A Local Hud Field Office

  1. First, contact your local Hud field office. They will be able to provide you with information on filing a complaint and assist you in resolving any issues. 
  2. Second, work out any problems directly with the property management company. If this fails, you may want to consider filing a lawsuit. 
  3. Finally, keep copies of all communication and documentation related to your complaints in case future issues arise.

Need To File a Complaint?

If you have any questions and would like to learn more about landlord-tenant relations, don't hesitate to contact a qualified landlord-tenant attorney. Attorney referral services are available in many states and can help you find the right lawyer for your particular situation.

...

Latest posts
Home
About Us
Services
Portfolio
Contact
Tenant Portal
Blog