Is my PM scaming me?

Question

I have a handful of doors in TN but now, one in Jackson.

My PM is telling me something I've never heard of. I rehab the house, they found a tenant, I had new appliances installed and the tenant didn't know how to light the pilot on the new stove. He called the PM and the crazy story begins. I was charged a total of $450 for them to go out to help the tenant. "Their" story is, since it was a new stove, they had to pull a permit ($150), from the city, have the electrical inspected, the stove inspected before it was "safe" for someone to work on it. In the invoice, they did not find anything wrong, (other than they leveled it), but it did work when they turned the stove on. They say this is a "Normal procedure". I asked to see the permit and for over a month, they have not come up with it. Only the permit that "my contractor" got for the gas meter. I contacted the city and got copies of every permit for the past 6 months and theirs is not one of them.

I've never heard of this, and my contractor has never heard of this procedure. Has anyone with MS experience gone this route?

Thanks,

Bob

JD Martin · Answer

I haven't heard of a new gas stove that doesn't require a 110 outlet in a long time so I had to look it up - imagine my surprise to see that GE makes a cordless model that takes a 9V battery for the ignitors. Interesting.

It sounds to me like they're scamming you on the permit thing. Depending on the municipality appliances that use gas (water heater, furnace, stove, etc) often have to be hooked up and operational before the utility will turn on the gas and close the permit. I know my gas provider, if the gas has been turned off, will not turn the gas back on without being able to verify proper operation of all appliances hooked to the system.

Bill B. · Answer

You’ve got another problem.

“New stove” and “light the pilot” don’t belong in the same post.

The standard prohibited standing pilot lights in gas ranges and ovens that have an electrical supply cord. In a 2009 final rule, DOE extended the "no standing pilot light" requirement to include all gas cooking products whether or not they have an electrical cord.

In 12 months if their service has been AWESOME, you keep them, maybe. Anything less than awesome you let them go with proper advanced notice. And you let them know why. The only reason not to let them go now is I assume they have a stipulation on the contract saying they get paid on any lease with any tenant they’ve placed. If they don’t, give proper notice and fire them now. Again, tell them why. Let them know what their money grabbing cost.

Theresa Harris · Answer

I'd tell your PM that without a copy of the permit, you are not paying it and tell them that you've called the city for a copy and they don't have a record of it.  Either the PM got one and the city hasn't registered it in its files (I find this hard to believe) or the PM is trying to pull a fast one.  As for them paying $300 for someone to go over light the pilot and level it, well that is also crazy.

Ashley C. · Answer

Hi Bob

We are a family owned Property Management Company and we have plenty of experience with owners and investors, and we have encountered every crazy situation in Jackson that one might imagine. We can get to the bottom of this for you easily. We know a lot of the other PM companies in the area, and we're familiar with the city and permits.

This certainly sounds intriguing, and also sounds like you could use a trustworthy company instead of those shmos.

Let's connect so I can I be of service!

Talk Soon,

Ashley

Bob Beach · Answer

Sorry, late responses. Didn't see notification.

This issue, I believe is finally resolved. After 2 or 3 months of emails going back and forth arguing over the $450 charge, I finally showed my hand. I knew they didn't get a $150 permit since I requested all the permits on the property since before I purchased it. I didn't tell them this since it was kinda fun to see them struggle to explain the charge, After we were all set up with the new PM and felt safe...  BTW - the new PM asked the tenants about the stove issue and the tenants said, "They didn't know how to start it but they googled it and figured it out on their own". So the PM must have fabricated an invoice to justify the charge. So I finally told the PM I had requested all the permits and the one they charged me for "did not exist". After that, they said they would escalate to management for my refund. And I did get it. In addition, their owner statements were so convoluted, that I'm still not sure if I got all my rents from them. The owner statement showed no rent for August, but one employee sent me a handwritten statement showing August rents. (about the time the house went to the new PM).  I'll research a little more one I get a chance.

Thanks for the replies, Bob

Michael Smythe · Answer

Have never heard of this.

Only logical defense is if the PMC installed an electrical stove instead of gas and needed to run a new electrical line.

Nathan Gesner · Answer

Sounds like a scam to me.

You already found a new PM, so that's a good start.

My suggestion? File a complaint with the State Commission for fraudulent charges. After taking your report, the Commission will contac the PM to let them know a complaint has been filed. They will usually give the PM a chance to make things right before kicking off an expensive and time-consuming investigation. The PM won't want the state investigating, so they'll likely pay you something to make the problem go away.

Bill B. · Answer

Sounds good. Time to move. Find a pm that’s willing/able to deal with texts to and from. It faster, more convenient, and most important to me is you have a “printed” record of what was promised/said and when.

Good luck. Maybe reach out to local investors as to who they use and if they’re happy with them. Add your location to your profile and posts and people with keywords of that city will see your posts and have local expert suggestions.

Is my PM scaming me?

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