Colony American Homes LLC (CAH) Paula Berg and Brian Lambert Don't rent from this company!! They lied and stole my $170 they are crooks that's why they have an F rating with BBB!! Tampa Florida
Beware of this Rental Agency Colony American Homes.
I live in Tampa Florida, and thought that Realtors these days had ethics and could be trusted when they would tell you a property was available and if you paid their applications fee you had a good possibilty of being approved and getting the home. But that is not the cas with this company!
I called about a rental they had and was told it was available, so my Fiance and I met with their Agent Paula Berg that day and looked at the home we really loved the home and the price so we asked what we needed to do to apply.
She said we just needed to complete an application and write her a check for $170.00 ($35 per person and $100 to put a hold on the property so no other application could be accepted on this property until a decision was made on our application)
We wrote the check and turned in all of the paperwork she asked for within the hour.
She said it usually takes 24 to 48 hours to get an answer, that was Thursday 5/15/2014 at 9:30 am
On Friday evening after I contacted her (only through text, she would not answer my calls) to see if she had heard anything she texted no that it would probally be Monday.
Monday I started calling and texting throughout the day with no answer and no replies.
Again on Tuesday no replies to my text or calls. I finally blocked my number from her and called and miraculously she answered!!
She stated that unfortianatley her supervisor Brian Lambert had denied our application because of sometype of credit issue on my part even though I was only listed as an additional tenant, and the lease was soley in my Fiances name and he alone had signed sole responsibility for all renatal cost.
I had felt uneasy about the whole thing on Monday when all of my text and calls were being ignored so I call the original 888-787-9572 number that I had called to schedule a showing of the home and asked if it had been rented and they advised me that they had accepted a rental application the week prior!
So how was that possible if I had just paid them $100 to put a hold on any new applications!!
Paula Berg and Brian Lambert had already accepted and approved a rental application and lied to me about the property being available just to get my $170 That is how Real Estate Agents Get A Bad Name!!!
They are unethical to say the least!!!!!!!
Sincerely, So dissappointed in Tampa
5 Updates & Rebuttals
Jackson
Tampa,Florida,
USA
Paula Berg
#6Consumer Comment
Mon, October 12, 2015
I would say from reading your response from the original statement made against you and the company you seem to be very offended and only viewing it from your perspective. As you gladly noted your time with your family is more important than the need of the consumer and that is not the issue the issue is that you stated poor communication skills and from that I can see where the beginning of that break down process started. As you are comfortable in your home with your family the consumer as well would like to enjoy their family in a home. As agent I'm sure you are aware of the many needs of individuals and in your line of work expressing your needs prior to theirs will only get you the negative feedback you previously received but a trail of bad business. Although you may be a good agent to tell someone to google you was unattractive as well. I perferred not too after that comment as well. As far as your personal battle with cancer very sorry to hear that but do you think it was wise to state all that? I guess you were so upset about the comments being made about you your punctuation is off as well and you never stated anything good about the company you represent as well. Just some things to think about in your future endeavors.
Eden Marling
Scottsdale,Arizona,
Know Your Rights!
#6Consumer Suggestion
Fri, January 09, 2015
As a realtor from another state I was looking up Colony American Homes to see any reviews and came across this complaint.
Renters as well as potential renters need to know their rights.
Colony American Homes can only operate with the help of Licensed Real Estate Brokers and their Agents.
It is helpful to know that they are held to the strictest guidelines, bylaws, rules and procedures dealt directly from their State Real Estate Board. They must handle All of their busienss with the highest of integrity and honestly.
If any wrong doing is perceived the best recourse to the consumer is to File a Written Complaint with your local real estate board. These are almost all online, so you can fill out a complaint directly from your computer. Once filed the complaint will be assigned to an investigator and I can assure you, the investigators take these very seriously.
Make sure you record all conversations, get everything in writing and retain any and all advertisements, dates, times and paperwork you have regarding the real estate agent you are dealing with and the property management company.
Needless to say, all potential renters need to do their due diligence in research about the property managements company to make sure you are not getting into a rental situation with a "nightmare" management company.
Believe me, it takes only one complaint to put an agent out of business as well as a management company to receive hefty fines and put on a watch-list. If any other complaints come in the severance will be permanent and will be ordered to cease and desist.
Never think your complaint will not do anything... your notification may be the "last straw" saving many others the same illegal activity you've endured.
2Trusting
Temple Terrace,Florida,
Before using this agency do your research on BBB
#6Author of original report
Tue, July 29, 2014
Please don't let this rental agency steal your money like they did to me.
Do your research first. Ask yourself why they were canceled from the Better Business Bureau ? And why they have a F rating ?
That's what the BBB is for to expose dishonest companies.
jewels
Holiday,Florida,
Renting with Colony American Homes
#6Consumer Comment
Tue, July 29, 2014
I had a completely different experience. I put an application on a house I was scheduled to see in Mid June 2014 with Colony American before actually seeing it in order to be first in line since I already knew I would like it and there was a lot of interest in the home. The application fee was 35.00 and I was not asked for anything else to hold the home. I went online the next day and could not find the home I was applying to rent due to the company taking it out of their listings while my application was being processed which is what I was hoping was the case. Due to the high volume of interest in the home I was applying for I was worried but the company put my worries at ease.
When I met with the rental agent to view the home he was very honest and upfront about the process and the costs involved. He assured me that unless my application was denied, the rental would be on hold for me. My application was approved within 36 hours and they gave me 72 hours to gather the funds to pay the deposit and sign a lease before the hold would expire. Because I do not have the best credit I was required to pay a larger deposit to secure the home but this is standard practice and has been the case with all rentals I have held with other companies as well and I was informed of this upfront so it was not a surprise.
Upon moving into the home, they home was completely remodeled and Colony American took extra measures to make sure the grass was maintained and the pool was clean before I moved in. Great experience and friendly group of people that take pride in the quality of their rentals and tenants. Unfortunatley, we live in a competitive world and rentals go fast in the Tampa Bay Area. It is important to communicate quickly and have funds available when appying for any rental. I feel this company demonstrates good ethics and fair rental practices.
paula berg
main st,Florida,
Rebuttal
#6REBUTTAL Individual responds
Sat, May 24, 2014
It is always unfortunate when a client is denied; however I assure everyone there are no other applications on the home and the home is still
avaliable. I do communicate through text when possible because it is rude to accept a phone call during dinner with my family or with other clients. I would encourage everyone to do their own research before renting from investment companies as they usually have rigorous criteria and I am never happy when a client is denied especially since our application fee is so high. I am extremely offended that someone has questioned my ethics and would please ask that anyone concerned google me.You will find I am a cacer survivor, a licensed broker since age 26 a member of NAR and have won the army medal Molly Pitcher Award for my duties to the community.