Complaint Review: Wiseman Management

To Wiseman Management,

As tenants of Colby Village (address as stated above), we feel that Wiseman Management Co. and its Associates have greatly misled us verbally in regards to the conditions of the building upon signing the lease.

First, tenants who moved in on or about February 1, 2004, were told the following about the building:

A) the 2nd floor would be used as a common area in the form of a gym and/or a recreation room for the tenants , however, they have been converted to apartments after the building inspection was passed. And although we were assured about the completion of the construction by the end of January 2004, before moving in, there is still construction going on, with added inconvenience for the tenants.

B) There would be a manager's office on premises located in the lobby floor (which under real estate law, apartment buildings with more than 16 units has to have a residential manager on site).

C) Some units were informed that there would be a washer/dryer on every floor while others were informed that the washer/dryer would be located in the lobby next to the office.

D) Upon signing our lease, we were informed that our rent would include an apartment with an Alarm System and other appliances mentioned in our lease under section 30. Our decision to move into the property was primarily based upon its security provided by an alarm system. The purpose of an alarm system is to protect and provide security for the tenants and their belongings, not as wall decorations as it is currently being used. We do not feel that these apartments are secure because of daily constructions being done on the building and we hold Wiseman Management fully responsible for any and all items which may be found missing from our units.

Second, since our apartments are not condominiums we fully expect Wiseman Management to provide services for the cleaning and up keep of all common area including but not limited to hallways, stairways, the garage (both of them), lobby, elevator and laundry room. This means that the hallways, elevator floor, and laundry room be mopped and dusted and the washers and dryers be cleaned thoroughly and dusted.

Third, six months after numerous complaints about the management of the building by letters and phone messages (although rarely the calls have been returned), nothing has been about it and things have been getting worse and worse. The building is unhealthily filthy and we should not allow one more day to pass by living in these conditions. The supposedly recycle trash accumulated for months with clouds of mosquitoes and bugs, and there are days when the odor of the trash fills the corridors and penetrates in the apartments; the laundry room is disgustingly dirty, there are not enough washers and dryers and often in time the machines are not working making the tenants to use other coin-laundry shops in the village; the dust accumulates everywhere and in some areas like in the staircase with not good ventilation is very unhealthy. There is no cleaning whatsoever and that is unacceptable.

Fourth, it seems that all tenants are getting charged by DWP (department of Water and Power) for Sanitation Equipment Charge, which we should not be paying for. Apartment 404 has spoken with JoJo (an associate of Wiseman Management Co.) and he informed them that Wiseman Management is paying for this bin and that the tenants should not be paying for it. He reportedly spoke with DWP regarding this matter and supposedly corrected it with them but we are still being charged.

We are tired of being ignored and dealing with a group of inept managers/associates of Wiseman Management Co. that do not address important issues despite continuous complaints. We are not going to tolerate to live in these conditions anymore; as managers of this building you have to assume your responsibilities at once and manage efficiently and professionally Colby Villas. With the West Nile Virus threat we can not tolerate the nest of mosquitoes and bugs living in the edifice because you are not doing your job.

In closing, we do not feel that Wiseman Management Co. and its associates has kept up its end of the agreement in regards to the maintenance of the building. You have misled us verbally as listed above and we feel that we are all entitled to a partial refund (50% of the monthly rent) of past, present, and future rent until these matters have been corrected with in 10 business days.

Tenants Colby Villas
Hootan
LA, California
U.S.A.