Where to file complaint against property management company?

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Where to file complaint against property management company?

Brad Collins
Austin, TX · Member since 2013 · 6 posts · 1 vote

Hi, my lousy tenant vacated at the end of the lease term and I switched my property management company due to the bad experience with the previous one. My property is located in VA. The previous property management company has colluded with the tenant and wants to favor the tenant by giving back as much of the security deposit as possible. My property repair work hasn't been done completely and the previous property management company not even releasing the property back to me. I want to know where to file a complaint against this unprofessional property management company as a property owner before going thru court. Does HUD help the property owner in any way? How effective is NARPM in this situation? I live in Texas and if I approach court can I attend court remotely or have to be present physically? Any other alternatives? I feel stuck and helpless. Thanks much in advance.

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Nathan GesnerBusiness Member
Moderator
Real Estate Broker · Cody, WY · Member since 2010 · 28k+ posts · 41k+ votes
7y

@Brad Collins you can FILE A COMPLAINT HERE

In most cases, they will contact the property manager (or his/her Broker) and let them know about your complaint. They will hear their side of the story and give the manager the opportunity to fix this and make your complaint go away. Most property managers and REALTORS don't want the commission getting involved because we can be found completely innocent of the charges but found guilty of other violations, like not keeping our paperwork straight. If the property manager is unable/unwilling to settle this and make your complaint go away, then you enter the long investigation phase.

Keep it factual. Provide as much documentation as possible, including text or email.

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  • Ray Harrell
    Investor · Chicago, IL · Member since 2016 · 1k+ posts · 930 votes
    7y

    Buyer Beware. You can't really complain to anyone. Just don't use them any more. You can sue, but you will likely lose because your agreement gives them authority to make decisions about the property on your behalf, even if they are bad decisions. Count it as a loss and move on.

    1Reply
  • Alex Smith
    Property Manager · Chattanooga, TN · Member since 2018 · 179 posts · 92 votes
    7y

    Sorry you're having to go through that. 

    There's the BBB and of course Google reviews that you can submit "complaints" through. Is the previous PM registered throug NARPM? If/when you decide to look for a new PM that would be a good place to start.

    0Reply
  • Brad Collins
    OP
    Austin, TX · Member since 2013 · 6 posts · 1 vote
    7y
    Originally posted by @Ray Harrell:

    Buyer Beware. You can't really complain to anyone. Just don't use them any more. You can sue, but you will likely lose because your agreement gives them authority to make decisions about the property on your behalf, even if they are bad decisions. Count it as a loss and move on.

     Yeah, I think that's the only option but was wondering if there is a way to save others going thru the same thing.

    0Reply
  • Ray Harrell
    Investor · Chicago, IL · Member since 2016 · 1k+ posts · 930 votes
    7y

    @Brad Collins, Yelp! is one way to share your experience with the management company. BBB isn't reliable, because registered businesses can pay for a high rating. But even with Yelp! and Google Reviews, companies can pay a kid $5 each to create positive reviews (it happens more than you think).

    0Reply
  • Brad Collins
    OP
    Austin, TX · Member since 2013 · 6 posts · 1 vote
    7y
    Originally posted by @Alex Smith:

    Sorry you're having to go through that. 

    There's the BBB and of course Google reviews that you can submit "complaints" through. Is the previous PM registered throug NARPM? If/when you decide to look for a new PM that would be a good place to start.

     They are not registered with BBB so I don't know if I could register a complaint with them but will try. Yes, I have decided to write a detailed Google, Yelp and Quora reviews so others would be warned. Yes, they are registered with NARPM and I filed a complaint with them along with a $100 check towards admin fee. Let's see what comes out of that.

    0Reply
  • Brad Collins
    OP
    Austin, TX · Member since 2013 · 6 posts · 1 vote
    7y
    Originally posted by @Ray Harrell:

    @Brad Collins, Yelp! is one way to share your experience with the management company. BBB isn't reliable, because registered businesses can pay for a high rating. But even with Yelp! and Google Reviews, companies can pay a kid $5 each to create positive reviews (it happens more than you think).

     Totally agree Ray. She used to have 1 negative review and 2 mediocre reviews earlier on Yelp and now they are gone and I see 5-star reviews. I think Yelp has compromised somehow here.

    0Reply
  • Jim Cummings
    Residential Real Estate Broker · College Station, TX · Member since 2013 · 1k+ posts · 969 votes
    7y

    @Brad Collins. If you think the PM has done anything unethical or illegal you could file a complaint with the State Real Estate Commission. 

    Google for the Real Estate Commission in the State where property is located - think you said Virginia?

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  • Nathan GesnerBusiness Member
    Moderator
    Real Estate Broker · Cody, WY · Member since 2010 · 28k+ posts · 41k+ votes
    7y

    @Brad Collins you can FILE A COMPLAINT HERE

    In most cases, they will contact the property manager (or his/her Broker) and let them know about your complaint. They will hear their side of the story and give the manager the opportunity to fix this and make your complaint go away. Most property managers and REALTORS don't want the commission getting involved because we can be found completely innocent of the charges but found guilty of other violations, like not keeping our paperwork straight. If the property manager is unable/unwilling to settle this and make your complaint go away, then you enter the long investigation phase.

    Keep it factual. Provide as much documentation as possible, including text or email.

    The DIY Landlord Book4.7248 Reviews
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    2Reply
  • Brad Collins
    OP
    Austin, TX · Member since 2013 · 6 posts · 1 vote
    7y
    Originally posted by @Jim Cummings:

    @Brad Collins. If you think the PM has done anything unethical or illegal you could file a complaint with the State Real Estate Commission. 

    Google for the Real Estate Commission in the State where property is located - think you said Virginia?

     Thanks much Jim.

    0Reply
  • Brad Collins
    OP
    Austin, TX · Member since 2013 · 6 posts · 1 vote
    7y
    Originally posted by @Nathan Gesner:

    @Brad Collins you can FILE A COMPLAINT HERE

    In most cases, they will contact the property manager (or his/her Broker) and let them know about your complaint. They will hear their side of the story and give the manager the opportunity to fix this and make your complaint go away. Most property managers and REALTORS don't want the commission getting involved because we can be found completely innocent of the charges but found guilty of other violations, like not keeping our paperwork straight. If the property manager is unable/unwilling to settle this and make your complaint go away, then you enter the long investigation phase.

    Keep it factual. Provide as much documentation as possible, including text or email.

    Thanks much Nathan and will do.

    1Reply
  • Francisco Torres
    Real Estate Agent · Arlington, VA · Member since 2009 · 27 posts · 1 vote
    7y

    @Brad Collins what part of Virginia is the property in?

    0Reply
  • Mary Winter
    Member since 2023 · 29 posts · 2 votes
    2y

    @Brad Collins Did you file the complaint and did it work? 

    I am in a similar situation and want to file complaint against my PM. Any assistance you can provide would be greatly appreciated! 

    0Reply
  • Hira Y.
    Member since 2024 · 18 posts · 1 vote
    2y
    Quote from @Nathan Gesner:

    @Brad Collins you can FILE A COMPLAINT HERE

    In most cases, they will contact the property manager (or his/her Broker) and let them know about your complaint. They will hear their side of the story and give the manager the opportunity to fix this and make your complaint go away. Most property managers and REALTORS don't want the commission getting involved because we can be found completely innocent of the charges but found guilty of other violations, like not keeping our paperwork straight. If the property manager is unable/unwilling to settle this and make your complaint go away, then you enter the long investigation phase.

    Keep it factual. Provide as much documentation as possible, including text or email.


     Hi Nathan,

    As an owner/landlord ,before I file a compliant against my PM on DPOR, Can PM hold the rent/security deposit for some reason ? if the contract is still on.

    Thank you

    0Reply
  • Nathan GesnerBusiness Member
    Moderator
    Real Estate Broker · Cody, WY · Member since 2010 · 28k+ posts · 41k+ votes
    2y
    They could, I suppose, but that wouldn't look good to an investigator unless they have some really good justification. And the law may not even allow it.
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