Property Management Lease Placement Issues (CA)

[Scott McMillan]

I used a local California property management company to perform the lease signing and background checks on a tenant we found ourselves for my newly vacant SFH. I also used them to perform a few maintenance issues, which was paid out of the security deposit and 1st months rent they collected at the lease signing. For this I paid a $500 fee as I am an out of state landlord but manage the property myself month to month.

For the major project I had them handle, replacing worn out carpet with Vinyl (Wood Patterned) Flooring I was quoted in writing $2,100 "out the door."  On my settlement statement and a provided invoice from the contractor I was actually charged $2,325, $225 more than quoted.  They had held up my release of funds for over a week after signing while they waited for the invoice and then paid it and closed out my account the day they received it.  After I received all my paperwork in the mail I questioned why the amount was higher than the "out the door" price quoted.  The response I received was basically "We aren't sure why it was more, we used an independent contractor, ask them."  I responded back that that was an unacceptable response and I am expecting to receive the difference in a check and a new settlement statement.

All of my exchanges with the property management company are in email written form.  Am I in the wrong here?  Do I have any recourse if they refuse to issue me the difference or advocate to the contractor on my behalf?  I guess small claims court could be an option but hardly seems worth it considering I'm out of State and it only $225 we are dealing with here.

Thank you,

Scott

[Deanna McCormick]

small potatoes.. you answered your own post.. hardly seems worth it.. 

Quotes may not include sales tax.. 

I do think the communication level is poor, not sure what the level of commitment is between you but I'd consider looking into another firm so your prepared for a change.. 

Why people buy across the country, out of state, and think it will be easy is beyond me. Half of them don't even know the landlord tenant laws for the state they own a property in. 

Just saying ,the expenses for out of state properties is hard to manage when you have no physical, eyes on, level of work, or professionalism done,, until a problem really surfaces and then you've paid thru the nose, jump hoops to figure things out after the fact.

 Hard enough to get people in your own back yard to do good work even when your around to oversee, but quicker to get fixed or change up vendors..