- Report: #1428448
Complaint Review: Lieberman Management Services LMS - Elk Grove Village Illinois
Reported By:
Overburdened Landlord -
Walpole, Massachusetts, United States
Submitted:
Updated:
-
Author Confirmed
Why?
Lieberman Management Services LMS
25 Northwest Point Blvd Elk Grove Village, 60007 Illinois, United States
Phone:
847 459 0000
Web:
http://liebermanmanagement.com
Categories:
Business Rating:
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Lieberman Management Services LMS Fines Elk Grove Village Illinois
I think what's happening here is that they sign a contract to manage a property. (This is my theory) They are able to win bids by offering slightly lower monthly assessments than competitors. Once you're locked in, they roll out the fines and extra assessments. It becomes increasing difficult to meet the requirements to avoid the fines.
I am a landlord. I have paid my monthly assessment on time for 18 years. I am not making a fortune here. I am renting out my unit to an elderly woman who never causes a problem and does not ask for anything. I started with another management company who was good. At some point the board switched to LMS.
I starting getting threatening letters that I needed to submit extra fees, permits and paperwork in order to continue renting my unit. It was difficult to navigate the requirements because the rental department does not take any calls. When I called resident services, they put me on hold, and called the rental department to ask my question. Sometimes they were able to help me, sometimes they said they would me call back but didn't. A few times I did get someone helpful. But many times I got the wrong information. Never the less, as frustrating as the process was, I was determined to follow the rules and be compliant...But they didn't make it easy.
They continued sending negative letters and fined me over $300. I was was literally working on getting the LMS requirements almost every day. Ironically, they documented my records that I was non-responsive next to fines of $100 and $50. But I was told (three times) that once I completed all of the paperwork, the fines would be waived. I also have this promise in writing in an email. It took me almost 7 months. I paid fines, I submitted several documents. I got my unit inspected 3 times. I paid for permits to rent from both the state and the city. I paid a handyman to switch out smoke detectors that were working. (Even though the state approved battery operated units, the town wanted me to install new hard wired units)…So I did it. I tried not to get discouraged because at least I could recoup some of the fines. NOPE. I did get an email from the rental department stating that I had met all of the new requirements in order to rent my condo but that I had to do go through the entire process all over again in 8 months. I asked if they could kindly remove the fines, as promised, and they said NO. When I sent a copy of the email stating that they would remove the fines…NO RESPONSE.
I am wring this to warn anyone that is considering using LMS as thier management company; Be warned. At the very least, get a good attorney to make sure there are no loop holes in your contract that allow them to continue this practice. They are not good at customer service but they are experts at creating new fines and extra assessments.
1 Updates & Rebuttals
Angela
Elk Grove Village,Illinois,
United States
Owner ignored requests for legal documents
#2UPDATE Employee ..inside information
Thu, February 15, 2018
LMS believes it is important to present the facts of this case. Our company manages the rental program as requested by this homeowner's Community Association. Her Association requires all renting owners to have current rental documents on file, as well as a rental fee upon each lease renewal. These requirements are communicated to members of the rental program when they begin renting their homes.
We sent this homeowner a polite and detailed letter on 2/15/2017 requesting 2017 rental documents and fees. She simply had to enter new dates on her lease contract, fill out a short contact form and lease rider, and get a rental permit from the Village. After no response for five months, we assessed a $50 fine in July 2017. We told her the Association would waive this $50 fine once her account was up to date.
From July to December, we sent several more requests for the documents and rental fee. In October 2017 we applied a $100 fine. When the fine was debited from her account, she repeatedly stopped payment on charges, incurring cancelled check fees and late fees for her assessment. LMS never promised to waive these additional fees.
We finally received all four documents and the rental fee in January 2018, 11 months later than her Association required. In total, we sent 11 detailed letters and four emails stating exactly which four documents and fees were required, and responded to 13 calls from her.
Her complaints about inspections and rental permits are requirements of the village and state, over which we have no control. However, along the way we have continued to send her polite, clear communication to help her navigate her responsibility as a landlord.
Our rental department manages the rental documents, while property managers and our Resident Services call center work directly with residents. These call center agents have access to all rental information and are trained in customer service. According to our phone and digital records, they gave her accurate information when she called.
