KAREN SHERARD
ATLANTA,#2REBUTTAL Owner of company
Mon, December 24, 2012
Mr. Sonsini's property was occupied for 18 months by an excellent tenant who's only issue was that at the close (60 days prior to lease expiration) it was identified that the tenant allowed 2 large pets to occupy the property. Upon identifying this issue, an immediate inspection was performed. Upon inspecton, the unit was impeccably clean with their pets were kenneled. There were no pet related damages noted as documented by photos taken during the inspection. Due to the infraction, it was recommended that they not receive the option to renew. In sixty days the tenants vacated the property in which I again met with them, they removed their items and professionally cleaned which is a requirement in our lease agreement to prepare for the move-out inspection. The property. After 18 months of occupancy it is understood by most investors that touch up painting and the normal turnkey process is required. The property has hardwood flooring and at the entrance there was fading in the color of the hardwood from traffic which touch painting, normal punch out and waxing of the flooring is customary Yes, it is my company's requirement that in the turnover of each unit that an inspection of all the systems in the home be performed and yes, it is correct that I do require for the property presentation during marketing a level of cleanliness to include new plastic wrapped commode seats. I attempted to explain to the owner that this is my company's standard and part of the presentation and this small investment makes a huge difference during the marketing process. Hence with the marketing plan initiated, the new tenant that presented had an impeccable record and signed a 24 month lease. I explained to my client that the new tenant was a law school student and had indicated that there had been other issues with properties they leased in the past and I wanted to start the relationship with the new tenant on a positive note and I wanted for all services to be performed to include any that were identified as issues during the preliminary inspection with their agent. I am obnoxious because I demanded as that the owner not cut corners on services after stating in his opinion this or that did not need to be addressed and he did not care what my company's requirements were. I refused to allow this owner to deviate from my company's level of service.
In closing, this owner was inexperienced and wanted for management to do what he wanted with no regard for the tenant's needs or providing a rent ready product which would be expected for a property in this area and rental price range to two professionals that it would have been reasonable for them to expect for their new home to be rent ready and in rent ready condition on their move-in date. The owner received excellent service to include guidance through the previous tenant's lease termination due to failure to follow our lease agreement, to tenant placement in less than 30 days. Based on the owner's comments regarding his disregard for the condition of the product or his concern for the tenant's leasing experience, this experience exemplified a conflict in our service and the owner's willingness to provide management with the support needed for a win-win scenario This owner did everything possible to try to void the listing agreement with the hired agent that procured his new tenant minimizing his vacancy loss and loss revenue to 2 weeks and attempted called the agent on several occasions trying to find a way to not pay the agent after being provided with excellent results. Obviously there is a conflict in the way this client conducts business and our level of service hence management's termination of his contract. A client like this can be very dangerous and cost management many hours in dealing with tenant conflicts that could be avoided by doing things the right way. Closing comments and valuable lesson: Before you end up in court, sometimes it is better to let a client go that is not interested in being a partner in providing good customer service to his tenant.