Investor · Miami, FL · Member since 2013 · 807 posts · 475 votes
I had 2 rental properties managed by All County management. All County is a franchise which is nationwide.
The owner/director of the franchise owed me several thousand dollars when he emailed me to inform me that he had been expelled from the franchise and had his license suspended. That particular branch of All County therefor dissolved.
He has since disappeared and I'm wondering if I can take a small claims suit against All County head office or if I can only go after the guy himself?
Investor and CPA · Arvada, CO · Member since 2015 · 2k+ posts · 3k+ votes
10y
Usually, a franchisor is not not responsible for the actions of a franchisee. However, there is a movement in many areas to reverse this as much of what a franchisee does is dictated by the policies and procedures of the franchisor.
In your area of the country, there may have been more advanced progress in making this happen in others. I'd say check with a lawyer who is up on this latest progress and see what they say.
Investor · Boise, ID · Member since 2011 · 1k+ posts · 736 votes
10y
Hi @Nat C. - No answers here but I am so sorry to hear that happened! Time to consult with a local attorney. I would definitely scout out and talk to others that he worked for...there is strength in numbers. I am sure you are not the only one he left in the lurch. Wishing you the best outcome possible...
Property Manager · Gilbert, AZ · Member since 2009 · 1k+ posts · 451 votes
10y
A new PM client of mine had a bad experience with an All County PM here Phoenix not long ago. It took me over a month to get security deposits from them. Might be a franchise to watch out for?
Investor · Corona, CA · Member since 2014 · 746 posts · 372 votes
10y
Did you have a signed contract with the franchisee? And proof of the funds he owes? If so, I'd contact an attorney and see how you can get what is owed.
A new PM client of mine had a bad experience with an All County PM here Phoenix not long ago. It took me over a month to get security deposits from them. Might be a franchise to watch out for?
The guy who was running the Las Vegas All County Management was also running the Phoenix headquarters!
I worked for the All County franchise office here in Sarasota, and had the "pleasure" of meeting Sandy Ferrera (head of the corporation) back in 2012...STAY AS FAR AWAY FROM ALL COUNTY AS YOU CAN!!!! Sandy doesn't care how qualified, or how ethical the individual is...just that they have $50,000 to plunk down for the franchise rights of the area. There are quite literally a TON of other property management companies around (myself included) that do everything ACPM franchises do, do it right, and don't give you the run around. Sorry to hear you're having problems, but I have to say that you're no where NEAR the only one...I doubled my business just by picking up properties, from Miami to Jacksonville and Tallahassee, that ACPM totally screwed up.
The way the ACPM scam works is this: Sandy puts unlicensed people in All County offices, that they've PAID her to open, and she gives them a song and dance about how easy property management is, they're going to make their fortunes off of the owners, etc. etc. etc. Once the doors are open, the All County people are never to be found. So long as she gets her $50,000 franchise fee, and 7 cents on every dollar made, she could care less what you do! To top it all off, there's a clause in their agreement that states that they are in NO way liable for the actions of anyone utilizing the All County name. Said all that to say this, whoever operated in Miami (David something or other was down in West Palm, wouldn't surprise me in the least if he lost his license!) is his own entity. If you can't find him, you have no recourse.
Lender · Las Vegas, NV · Member since 2015 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
10y
@Nat Chan...call Patrick McKnight and see what he advises. You also might have recourse through the Greater Las Vegas Area Realtors group. You have to be a licensed realtor to be a PM here and tgry might have a victims relief fund. Patrick will know what to do.