We used Advanced REI Concepts, who later became Texas Lease Houses, to manage a rental property for us. Various little issues throughout the term of the contract prompted us to cancel the contract when it became a month-to-month agreement.
Our copy of the service agreement stated that either party could terminate the agreement with 30 days notice. We did so, via certified mail which was received. The agreement stated that upon termination of the contract the company would return any security deposits collected so that the property owner (we) could later determine if/how much to return to the tenant.
During the term of the agreement, one tenant completed their lease and moved out. TLH did not return their deposit, siting cleanliness issues with the house. However, they did not provide an itemized listing of charges against the security deposit, which TX law requires them to do. They simply refused to return the deposit.
We visited the house on the day the tenant moved out. The house was spotless with only normal wear and tear. The deposit should have been returned.
We were forced to pay the tenant's security deposit out of pocket to avoid costly litigation that we would have certainly lost. However, TLH has not returned the deposit to us. Plus, they retained the $200 non-refundable pet deposit without showing any receipt for cleaning.
A second tenant signed a contract and paid TLH a security deposit upon move-in. That tenant is still in the house and is currently paying us rent directly. But TLH still has not paid that deposit to us.
They have not responded to any of our calls, letters or e-mails. Their listed address is a mail box store front so we are not able to visit them in person.
We have filed a small claims suit against them in Tarrant County and have filed a report with the Better Business Bureau. Contact with other unhappy clients and ex-clients have made us wonder if a visit to the Tarrant County DA's office with a fraud claim is in order.
Advanced REI Concepts is no longer registered with the Texas Comptroller's office as a business. Neither is Texas Lease Houses. But, Texas Lease Houses (Alliance Brokerage) is listed with both the TX Comptroller and the BBB. Interestingly enough, they have an A+ rating with the BBB. We are hoping they want to keep that rating and will respond to our latest complaint.
Judy
San Mateo,#2Consumer Comment
Thu, March 04, 2010
I can't even begin to list the crap these people have put me through. Currently they owe me over 3,000. and have rented my place to some young guy with low credit score, big dogs (against my instructions) and who just walked off his job. I can only see good things in store.
I held off firing them hoping that I might get things straightened out first. Stacie was ever so sweet and kept telling me she was working on it. The last time I spoke with her last week she said her uncle died and her brother was in a near fatal car wreck but she had asked someone to call me while she was with him in the hospital. That was Feb. 26th. I'm sure that was a lie as well.
They have now locked me off their website which is the only source of financial information from them. (I fired them last Friday)
On my list to do:
1) Contact the state of Texas concerning the fact they are working under an invalid franchise (or corporate name)
2) Contact the Better Business Bureau
3) Contact the IRS about the fact that they refuse to send out 1099's which indicates they are hiding their income.
4) Contact the Texas State board of Realtors to see if there is anything they can help with. I was told today that they are using the Texas Apartment Association rental application and if they are not members of TAA, the use of the lease is illegal and not binding. (more on that later)
5) Find a lawyer and book a flight back to Texas to sue them. Their Officers and Directors are: Manager: Shawn Lewis Directors: Shawn Lewis and Steven Davis II. I believe that Davis is a lawyer in Dallas that specializes in DWI defense, but I'm not certain about that yet.
6) find a consumer action line at a DFW local TV or radio station
Please join me in putting these crooks in jail. I have spent countless hours stressed out in the 14 months I have been associated with them and I just can not let them walk away without at least trying to make them answer for their crimes.
I have contacts in the Texas Comptroller's office if I pull in some favors but I don't know any lawyers. If we band together, maybe we can help each other but it looks like we will have to move fast.
I can be contacted at (((ROR redacted)))
Judy
CLICK here to see why Rip-off Report, as a matter of policy, deleted either a phone number, link or e-mail address from this Report.
DianaM
Fort Worth,#3Consumer Suggestion
Wed, March 03, 2010
On March 1, 2010, TLH moved out of their location in Watauga in the middle of the night. If they owe you money, you can find them at their new location:
12000 Ford Drive
Suite 400
Farmers Branch, TX 75234
Our experience has been the people in the office will pretend they have no idea what you're talking about, that this is a doctor's office. In reality, Texas Lease Houses, its employees, and its "silent partner" Matt Misczak are hiding out here because they are hoping to fool people into thinking they are out of business. You will be able to find him and his employees here. He drives a gold Mercedes SL, his wife drives a maroon Mercedes CLK350 Convertible. Good luck to you, it appears they are trying to take off with all investor's rent from Feb and Mar and disappear. Many of us investors have banned together to get our money and seek justice.
Lara D.
United States of America#4Consumer Comment
Fri, November 06, 2009
It all started one day when I was looking for a home and I really didn't know where to look at. I called many places and I never got a phone call back. I then seen a customer writing a report like this one and I emailed Texas Lease Houses and I got a call back in 5min!!!! They had me go to the their office and I found the house I wanted and I signed the contract. I lived there for a year and they gave me the privilege to purchase it but I decided to rent it month to month and now I live in Rome following my career. When I move back to Texas I will defintely give Texas Lease Houses a call. I hope someone reads this and make the phone call also. Thank you Texas Lease Houses!!!!
DianaM
Fort Worth,#5Consumer Comment
Wed, October 28, 2009
I have the same problem with my deposit. I left the house I rented in ft worth cleaner than I got it. I did not get my deposit back and I am being ignored too. I went to their office in ft worth on mulligan. they were gone. But I was able to find them at their new location:
6245 Rufe Snow Drive, suit 802, Watagua, TX 76148. I went there and they told me they have never heard of Matthew Miszak, but I have seen him going in and out of there. They even have a Texas Lease Houses banner over the doors. if you still can't get what you need, you can file a complaint with the state at this address:
http://www.trec.state.tx.us/complaintsconsumer/default.asp
Their broker is Mishan Nazeri Ice and he is located at 6060 N. Central Expressway, suit 560, Dallas, TX 75206 according to the Texas real estate commission website.
Good luck and I hope we both get our money!
Diana