ComplaintsforStewart Langley Properties, LLC

• Initial Complaint

  04/04/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I moved out of ****** ***** ********** ***** 12/15/2023. This is a Stewart Langley Property. I Payed a security deposit of $1090. After I moved out the Patio sliding door needed repairs, so the cost for that repairs was taking out of the security deposit. A remaining of $692 was supposed to be mailed to me. They claim they mailed it about 2 months ago but I never recieved it. So Iask them to reissue me a check, they told me there will be a $50 fee to reissue. They told me the address was wrong the first time, so I gave them the correct address to mail the check. They said they have mailed it again and still never got it. I just want help to resolve this issue. They told me to contact mail carrier but I need proof or a confirmation number that it was mailed.

  Business response

  04/04/2024

  Our records indicate that **** ***** resided in one of our apartment homes until December 31, 2024.   He provided us with a forwarding address and the security deposit refund was issued in compliance with the ***** guidelines.      Subsequently, we were contacted that the security deposit had not been received.    In checking our records, we found that the check had not been cashed and that we were given an incorrect forwarding address.   Additionally, at that time, the initial check had not been returned to us by the USPS.   On March 20, 2024, a stop payment was put on the previous check and the $50 fee was added to the resident account, per the resident's agreement.     Also on March 20, 2024, the security deposit refund check #***** in the amount of $642 was mailed to the resident at **** ************ ****, ***  **** **, *******, *** ***** which was the address our Property Manager confirmed with the resident. At this juncture, the check has been placed in the hands of the USPS and is out of our control.     Historically, we have seen checks take up to three weeks for delivery.   Thank you for the opportunity to give a timeline of the issues surrounding this refund.    We are hopeful that the USPS will deliver your refund check soon. Stewart Langley Properties

• Initial Complaint

  09/21/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Stewart Langley Properties is trying to Bill me and my Mother $49.88 for a electric bill that we are not responsible for. The bill is in their name, their account, their usage and is their responsibility, not our's and we will not pay for their usage. I will make a payment at the end of this month toward the total final balance. Once this is resolved I will get to the other problem with Stewart Langley Properties.

  Business response

  09/21/2022

  Good afternoon.   In review of this complaint, I find that the resident gave notice to vacate on 5.31.22 which ended his obligation for rent and utilities on 7.31.22 (because we require a two-calendar month notice).   Because Stewart Langley Properties has an agent/owner agreement with AEP, anytime a resident turns the power off, it automatically goes into our name.   Thus, this explains why the bill for electrical service from 7.13.22 to 7.31.22 was billed to our company despite the fact that it falls within the responsibility period of the resident.   Therefore, we included a copy of the bill with the Security Deposit Settlement and added it to the resident charges on their account.  Please refer to the lease agreement for further clarification on resident responsibilities.  Than you for the opportunity to address this complaint.Sincerely,Stewart Langley Properties

• Initial Complaint

  08/05/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Customer Service Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Our daughter has lived in her apartment since June 8th. In the short time since, she has experienced 2 leaks in her ceiling. One smaller, 1 that was nearly the entire front living space/kitchen. In contacting the previous tenant, we have found that there were leaks in the same general area while she was in the apartment. In the video link below, you can see the ceiling is very clearly heavily damaged and the complex manager says the "landlord is not at fault" in this situation. It is somewhat long, but watch to video to learn more. The apartment manager has said the apartment was habitable. We disagree however, in that for a week now there has been a large and very loud fan blowing on the soaked ceiling and now drywall mud and in order for her to get to her "habitable" back room, she has had to walk through a water infested, ceiling all over the floor front room. Additionally, this is the kitchen area, so the apartment manager expects her to prepare and eat meals under a kitchen ceiling that is severely water damaged and could come down on top of her let alone start a fire by a short in the ceiling light that was soaked by the leak. We are seeking for her to simply be realeased from the lease with no rent due going forward. The following is a link to video of the damage. ****************************

  Business response

  08/05/2022

  Thank you for giving us the opportunity to respond to this complaint.  In every apartment building, there are multiple sources of water, i.e., kitchen sink, tub, toilet, bath sink, water heater, HVAC condensation lines, etc.   When an apartment building has three floors, and you are on the bottom, you have three times the exposure to these water-related incidents that may occur.     First and foremost, please allow me to apologize for the inconvenience that water-related issues may have caused the resident.   Secondly, please understand that if we had any way to foresee this type of issue and be pro-active in repairing it, we would certainly do so.   At no time do we want damage to the property or inconvenience to our residents.  Unfortunately, sometimes it occurs and sometimes it occurs to one resident more than once.On every occasion, we have addressed these issues and taken the necessary steps to repair.    Some repairs take time and multiple steps to complete, and this repair is one of those.     The video represents only a small segment of time after a water related incident, but does not show the efforts and measures taken by our maintenance staff to complete necessary repairs and to return the apartment to its former condition.  Our Property Manager determined that the property was not uninhabitable.   Residents who feel differently, should contact their Renter’s Insurance company to file a claim for consideration of temporary displacement.  As stated in the lease agreement, signed by both parties, Item 13 states:DAMAGES BEYOND THE CONTROL OF THE LANDLORD:   Landlord cannot be held responsible for any inconvenience to Resident due to any cause which is beyond the control of Landlord.   Some, but not all, examples are fire, damage due to natural causes, utility failures, falling plaster, dampness, overflow or leakage upon or into the leased premises of water, rain, snow ice, sewage , or by any breakage in or malfunction of pipes, plumbing fixture, air conditioners or appliances, or leakage, breakage or obstruction of soil pipes…As stated in the Virginia Statement of Tenant Rights and Responsibilities as of July 1, 2020:REPAIR AND DEDUCT:  If an issue on the property affect life health, safety or seriously affects habitability, and landlord has not begun to address it within 14 days after written notice from the tenant the tenant may contract to have the repair done by a licensed contractor at a cost of not more than $1,500, or one month’s rent, whichever is more.   The tenant may deduct the actual cost of repair from the rent.   The tenant must send the landlord an itemized invoice and a receipt for payment to the contractor for the work, along with any payment of remaining rent owed.  (55.1-1244.1)At no time did the resident have to wait 14 days for us to begin repairs.   We do address all maintenance items in a prompt and efficient manner.  Furthermore, we typically offer residents an opportunity to transfer within the first 30-days; however, at the time we had no other vacant units.  The resident decided to retain the apartment but has given a notice vacate the premises on 8.15.22.  Once notice was received, we began to market the unit.  Currently, the unit is re-rented for 8.26.22, thus we have released them from their lease obligation for rent and utilities at that time.  Again, thank you for the opportunity to address these concerns.  Sincerely,Stewart Langley Properties

  Customer response

  08/11/2022

  I have reviewed the response offer made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and have determined that this proposed action would not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below. I don't agree. It is now 2 weeks after the complaint and the work is not completed, thus she has had to live in those conditions for 2 additional weeks. Yet, no offer of financial or otherwise accommodations for the inconvenience.  Regards, ****** ******

  Business response

  08/16/2022

  Mr. ******,I have reviewed your complaint, the Lease Agreement, the Statement of Tenant Rights and visited the Country Place apartment.    I certainly understand that this water-related issue presented an inconvenience to your daughter, and again we apologize for that.   Unfortunately, certain things are out of our control. I have previously quoted information from both the lease and the Virginia Statement of Tenant Rights and Responsibilities showing that we have met our obligations under the law.  We are not required to complete the work within 14 days, but we are required to begin the work for necessary repairs during that time.  A resident also has the right to Repair and Deduct the cost up to $1500 from their rental payment if the landlord fails to begin addressing the matter within 14 days.  As I am sure you will attest, we immediately addressed the issue by repairing the water leak; however, repairing items of this nature require a significant amount of time as they are multi-faceted repairs.  Once a notice to vacate was given, we rescheduled the remaining work (ceiling painting) for a later date so as not to cause further inconvenience.  Since the apartment was occupied until August 12, 2022, you will be charged rent and utilities through that date.  However, we will release you from further obligation to the apartment as of August 13, 2022.    The appropriate adjustments will be made on your account and credits will be returned with the security deposit refund within 45 days, in adherence to the VRLTA. We regret that your experience was less than favorable, but we appreciate the opportunity to address your concerns.Stewart Langley Properties

  Customer response

  08/17/2022

  I have reviewed the response offer made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and have determined that this proposed action would not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below. They say that they rescheduled the work to avoid further inconvenience to our daughter during the remainder of her stay. However, the smell from the unfinished water-damaged ceiling remained and was strong and no one ever told her to stop running the commercial fan, so she had an incredibly loud, industrial fan blowing in her tiny apartment for an additional 2 weeks after the initial complaint to the bbb. Aside from that inconvenience, it was using her electricity that she is now going to have to pay for. So no, theor solution is not adequate because again there is no admittance of any failure on their part nor offer of anything for the inconvenience and discomfort she had to endure for ocer 3 weeks total in their complex. Regards, ****** ******

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