ComplaintsforHubbub Properties

• Initial Complaint

  11/30/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Sales and Advertising Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  Hubbub was the third landlord/property management company that took over the apartment complex where we lived, in the 6.5 years we lived there. ******* (*****) ****** was the original owner when we first moved in in Aug 2017. It was then purchased by K2 Properties and then by Hubbub. We paid $1,000 for our security deposit in **************************** During that time, we kept the apartment in great condition, deep cleaning often, shampooing the carpets, changing the **** filters every 3-6months, etc. Before moving out on 10/31/23, we patched every single tiny hole in the walls (even from previous tenants), cleaned the apartment, replaced the **** filter, and even left 2 additional **** filters that we had left over, and we swept the garage. Upon receiving our deposit explanation letter, we were informed that we were only going to get $45 back from our deposit because of $315 for cleaning, $225 for carpet cleaning, and $415 for repairs. The repairs listed is where we have an issue. They charged us $150 to replace 4 electrical outlets (along with $55 for the switch/receptable plates), but those outlets never worked since we moved in in Aug 2017. The apartment building was built in the ****s and nothing had been updated since then. They then charged us $75 to replace the **** filter (which actually only costs $10 tops, but we had JUST replaced it AND left them 2 additional just to be nice!). Then they charged $60 to replace the light bulbs, when they were all working well and many recently changed. And finally, they charged $75 for new drip pans on the stove (and they were completely funcitonal and may have only been replaced for aesthetics, which shouldnt be paid for by us, the tenant). We would like compensation for the $415 in repairs that we feel were wrongfully charged against us. We will also be filing a claim with the ************ of Realtors.

  

  Business response

  12/11/2023

  I have attached my initial response to ******************** complaint. I have reached out to our handyman who completed the unit turn and can review the invoice and move-out inspection with him & my staff.

  I understand that **************** dealt with a few different property management companies during her tenancy at **** Lancers. I would like to propose "meeting in the middle" and I have received approval from the owner to refund half of the repair charges that were deducted from ******************* security deposit. I will round up and can issue a check for $215.00. If that would resolve this issue, **** can email me or call the office directly at ************. I can have funds available within 24 hours.

  *************************

  Customer response

  12/13/2023

   
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to my concern, and find that, though this is not being made right to the level we see appropriate, this resolution is better than nothing. 
  
  

• Initial Complaint

  09/28/2021

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Security Deposit dispute, *************************** has refused reasonable consideration for the return of my security deposit in full, despite the terms of the lease agreement and requirements stated at time of lease signing. ****************** refuses to take "normal wear & tear" into consideration and is overcharging for typical cleaning expenses incurred by landlord at time of tenant turnover. Unit was left cleaner than when my ********** moved in in March 2019 - at that time the unit had not been re-painted and bore dirty remnants throughout the home from previous *************** pets.****************** failed to address a water leak issue in the master bathroom in early 2021 and when I called to address received access to a general voicemail only. As it was a water leak situation we were forced to repair ourselves. ****************** took 3 days to respond to the issue and never followed up after that.Supportive Correspondence attached.

  

  Business response

  09/28/2021

  Tenant is disputing the security deposit refund. To summarize the tenant paid a $2,295.00 security deposit. They received a refund of $1,578.92. Charges deducted were as follows: $15.00 for past due rent, $390.00 for cleaning, $117.18 for repairs and $193.90 for carpet cleaning.

  We have an inspection with photos documenting the condition of the home at move-in. We also have a move-out inspection with photos showing condition of the home when the tenant vacated. There is obvious cleaning that needed to be done including visible dust on fan blades, dirty baseboards, and even cobwebs on the walls. The total repair **** was $408.84, but tenant was only billed $117.18 for replacing the numerous burnt out bulbs in the unit. In the lease it is specified that carpet cleaning will be done by Hubbub Properties upon move-out and deducted from the security deposit.

  All invoices were provided to the tenant with accounting within 21 days of move-out. Tenant attached copies of these invoices to their complaint.

  I am not sure what compensation the tenant is requesting regarding a past work order. No charges were assessed to the tenant for the repair or any subsequent damaged that occurred.

   

  *************************

  Broker/Owner

  Customer response

  10/03/2021

  I am rejecting this response because: The unit was not immaculately clean upon receipt, both living room & kitchen had burnt out bulbs at the time of move in and the unit was not painted. Many of the walls had dirty marks from previous tenant(s) and or pets. The fluorescent bulb in the ceiling of the master bathroom should not be charged to me as a replacement as it was noted that repair was needed in March 2020 property inspection and was never repaired.

  The lease agreement does not state anywhere that carpet cleaning will be charged back to the tenant upon vacating. It does, however, state that the unit be returned clean & empty and in similar condition as it was received. As stated in my correspondence to the ********************* the unit was returned cleaner than the condition it was in upon move in March 2019. The cleaning invoice provided lists a number of items that were in fact cleaned prior to vacating, i.e, floors, bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchen, cabinets inside & out, windows including tracks and blinds, mopped & vacuumed floors, and in my estimation the $390 charge is excessive. The Property Mgt is attempting to allude that the unit was left unclean, this is false. Ordinary "wear & tear" should not be taken into consideration as reason to charge me for the cleaning of an already clean unit.

   

  

  Business response

  10/20/2021

  In response to tenant's comments:

  1) Attached our pictures of a clean unit at move-in and photos of dust/dirty at move-out

  2) Tenant was not charged for ANY painting/touch-up

  3) Replacing burnt out bulbs are tenant responsibility per lease to "surrender the premises and all fixtures and equipment of Landlord therein  in good, clean and operating condition."

  4) Carpet cleaning requirements are documented in move-out packet (attached) and per California statute required as the lease states to "restore the Premises to original condition as it was..."

   

  Tenants were not charged for any normal "wear & tear". A cleaning invoice of $390 is reasonable for a 4 bd/2 ba **** sq. ft. home.

   

  We are not refunding any additional monies because all deductions from the security deposit are fair and lawful.

   

  *************************

  Broker/Owner

  Hubbub Properties

   

  Customer response

  10/23/2021

  I am rejecting this response because: ******************** is taking unfair advantage of the situation. Property Mgt was negligent in making necessary repairs during our tenancy and are now trying to charge us for certain repairs that should have been completed following the March 2020 property inspection.
  

  
  

  It was never intimated that we were being charged for painting of the unit. $390 is excessive if the only "dirty" items were the ones shown in the provided pictures. The unit was cleaner than when we moved in.

  
  

  BBB requires a 7 day response time....but Property Mgt was allowed 18 days to respond to the last message.

  BBB will need to make a determination at this point, as it is clear the ******************** is unwilling to negotiate or be reasonable. 

  

  Business response

  10/27/2021

  At this point we have provided our explanation and supporting documentation for the charges that were deducted from the security deposit.

   

  Sincerely,

  *************************

  Hubbub Properties

  Customer response

  10/28/2021

  I am rejecting this response because: I have provided sufficient information to the contrary as well as the reasoning as to why I feel the property Mgt company's charges of over $700 are excessive. 
  

*Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business. ↩