Complaints

The complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. 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.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:07/31/2023

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  T Square Properties were my property management company, for a town house in *******, ** (*****************************************************************************). I am an active duty service member, currently stationed in *********, ******* (for the past 5 years) and had entrusted T Square properties with all management affairs as I am not able to be present at the property location in WA. Upon change in tenant during NOV-DEC 2022 time period, T Square properties was responsible for handling tenant move-out and preparation of property for new tenant move-in. After charging in excess of $1500 (deemed as landlord responsible maintenance fees) and clearing the previous tenants after their move-out, I was told that the property was ready for move-in of new tenants. After two months of inactivity, I decided to terminate my contract with T Square management; it was then that I discovered that extensive damage was unaddressed in my property, and that the previous tenants were allowed to clear the property (and security deposit retured) without adequately addressing the damages (to the walls in living room and dining room), and other maintenance items that should have been assessed to the tenants prior to move-out. I had to spend approximately $6000 to repair the damages to the walls and return them to move-in ready conditions. The items in the T Square properties furnished punchout list were not completed, despite fraudulent claim that it had been. As a result, I had to wait 90 additional days to get the property rented, incurring additional financial burden, due to T Square properties' negligent behavior and breach of contract.

  Business Response

  Date: 08/01/2023

  We appreciate the feedback and have addressed this with you multiple times in the past.

  Based on the painting invoice you provided,it appears you elected to have virtually the entire home repainted at a much higher cost than we had assessed for.  It was not our assessment that an extensive painting needed to be done.  Instead, we had recommended spot painting, For and estimated amount of just $539.  The tenant did reimburse you for their portion through their security deposit.  We do not believe a full painting at the expense of the tenant would have been a warranted.  Nevertheless, this is apparently what you elected to do at your own cost and for your own benefit. 

  Any damage to your home is the responsibility of your tenant, not T-Square Properties.  It is the tenant that has an obligation to return your home in the same condition, less normal wear-and-tear, not the management company.  We believe the Tenant did reimburse you fairly.  Our management agreement and statute (RCW *****) are clear on this.  The risk of tenant damage and risk of collecting are simply inherent risks of owning rental property.  Of course, a management company cant guarantee a tenants actions.  Since you terminated our management agreement, we would have no authority to pursue collections, however, you do have recourse back to your tenant should you choose to do so, although we dont think there is any legal basis for doing so. 
  Contrary to your comments, we are confident that T-Square Properties has performed all management obligations through the term of our management agreement and that any maintenance items charged to you, as the property owner, were for those that the owner is legally responsible for.   

  Customer Answer

  Date: 08/01/2023

   
  Complaint: 20402669
  
  I am rejecting this response because:
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *********************

  Customer Answer

  Date: 08/01/2023

  I do not accept the response provided by the business, as they did not follow, in good faith, the terms of the management contract.

  The management company allowed the tenants to clear the property and refunded the security deposit while there were still maintenance items (tenant respsonsibility) and damages to the walls (not addressable by spot painting, as shown in the photo that required not only repairs to the walls, but painting). In addition, the management company allowed the tenants to paint the walls to a different color of tan (not the standard white paint), which makes spot-painting virtually impossible. The management company, after tenant move-out in October, declared that the property was ready for move-in by end of November and began advertising on my behalf.  After two months of inaction, I decided to terminate the contract with T Squares in January of 2023 (several late responses and basically no movement on prospective rental activity).

  Only when I terminated the contract with T Squares, and hired a new management company to conduct a walk through of the property, did I find out the extent of the damage and lack of maintenance activities (despite charging 10+ hours of labor that did not fully address all items that should have been repaired). The damage to the walls and repainting did require painting of all the walls that were painted to non-standard tan paint (without my approval). $539 does not cover the "spot paint" repairs recommended by T Squares, as spot painting in this case is virtually impossible, as we do not know the shade of paint what was used to paint the dining and living rooms (entire first floor).

  In all, the management company acted in extremely bad faith, with gross negligence and basially taking advantage of landlords who cannot be present to check on the status of the property (active duty military stationed overseas in *******).

• Initial Complaint

  Date:08/23/2022

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  on 9 22/ maintaince for t square properties cam out to the location **** college ave. apt. there ae4 units located on small property. maintaince has been a problem here at this address. that being said o. the above date maintains was defeating the property and one of the workers being careless as always broke a planter and 2 pots. the processed to head to the garage area and weed ear their. where he processed to do such as a result breaking my car window from a rock being thrown from weedeater. there was no contact made by the worker or an attempt to make contact with and of the tenants. they left. i contsctt square properties and told them what had happened and I was given a bunch of excuses and no solution to the problem on that there was nothing they could do.

  Business Response

  Date: 08/26/2022

  T-Square Properties reached out to the landscape vendor that services this vendor, Skeith Landscaping,  to get more information from them.  Theyve stated that if their crew had caused the damage they would most certainly cover the damages.  However, their crew did not report any damage on this property which they would always do (they are incentivized by the landscaper to report damage).   In addition, upon review of the photos provided by ******************, they indicated that there was no landscaping work on the broken window side of the car, so it would have been impossible for them to have caused this.  Even so, it would have taken more than a small rock that could be thrown by a weed eater to break a hole in the car window the size depicted in her photo.  It would appear to be more in line with a smash and grab break-in.   As such the landscaper is refusing to accept blame.
  

  ****************** did not provide photos of the broken planter or pots that were broken.  If provided, well be glad to address these with the Landscape vendor as well.