REVIEW - RL Property Management

REVIEW - RL Property Management

Rental Property Investor · san jose, CA · Member since 2009 · 74 posts · 42 votes

TL;DR

* Aggressively pushing 'maintenance' and for the most part for things not requiring any maintenance

* In-house maintenance rates are eye-watering, way higher than what you'd see in even most expensive markets

* Maintenance does not require owner's approval - RL reserves decision what to do when, cheaper plans have higher limits and all are at RL's discretion 

* Refuses to manage in many parts of town

Longer version

Signed up for their service after a few conversations over the phone - owner stressed investor-friendly approach. Main attraction was flat rate management fees vs % that everyone else charges. It became clear very quickly that the company is making all its profit on 'maintenance surcharge' and is very aggressively pushing 'maintenance' where it's needed and where it's not. I have remodeled the unit completely prior to putting it to rent, including addressing pre-movein readiness checklist I was given by RL after they walked through the unit (small list of punch items like toilet paper holder, cleaning unit, door stopper etc.). However, once I signed an agreement, they sent me an even longer punch list, approaching $2K for a while bunch of silly things, none of which would deter tenants (proven once I switched away from RL) and all of them carrying ridiculous surcharge prices way higher that one may see even in most expensive coastal markets like CA and NYC. Many items were completely unnecessary which I stressed to RL, but after a couple of conversations it became clear they did not want to budge, which made me fire them. Example of overcharges included

* $300 for cleaning windows and cabinets after entire house was professionally cleaned

* $80 to replace HVAC filter after entire HVAC system was replaced

* $700 for a small list of punch items - 2 door stops, raking backyard, removing satellite dish in backyard and trimming bushes

After terminating relationship, owner decided to send a termination charge for $450 (contract does stipulate it) - even though the company has not done squat and never placed a tenant and already charged so called 'set up' fee of $300.. Owner justified the rationale for charging termination fees because he had to 'supposedly' send his crew to do evaluation of the unit a couple of times. 

Normally I do not post negative stuff, but the above and particularly termination fee for doing nothing irked me a great deal. Highly discourage anyone to deal with these guys

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New to Real Estate · Los Angeles · Member since 2022 · 43 posts · 41 votes
1y
Quote from @Daniele Evans:

Five years later it's just as bad.  I tried this company and they lasted all of 9 months. Bungled eviction, insane maintenance related costs, much not needed. Turn quote was $15K. Switched companies and turn done for $3.5K. I honestly have no idea how this company has clients.


 What company did you end up going with, if you don't mind me asking?

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  • Member since 2017 · 27 posts · 17 votes
    7y

    That is a very poor business model. Thank you for sharing. It will be a reminder to scrutinize any flat rate plans as closely as possible.

  • Property Manager · Columbus, OH · Member since 2012 · 309 posts · 275 votes
    7y

    Thanks! Obviously we don't agree but won't be sharing details because we owe a duty of confidentiality to current and past clients, and we take that seriously.

    I'm not ashamed of our in-house maintenance rate which I can share here: $56/hr. It's listed right on our website on the pricing page.

    -Peter

  • Member since 2024 · 1 post · 0 votes
    2y

    Five years later it's just as bad.  I tried this company and they lasted all of 9 months. Bungled eviction, insane maintenance related costs, much not needed. Turn quote was $15K. Switched companies and turn done for $3.5K. I honestly have no idea how this company has clients.

  • New to Real Estate · Los Angeles · Member since 2022 · 43 posts · 41 votes
    1y
    Quote from @Daniele Evans:

    Five years later it's just as bad.  I tried this company and they lasted all of 9 months. Bungled eviction, insane maintenance related costs, much not needed. Turn quote was $15K. Switched companies and turn done for $3.5K. I honestly have no idea how this company has clients.


     What company did you end up going with, if you don't mind me asking?

    • New to Real Estate · Phoenix · Member since 2024 · 5 posts · 10 votes
      1y
      Quote from @Catherine Ding:
      Quote from @Daniele Evans:

      Five years later it's just as bad.  I tried this company and they lasted all of 9 months. Bungled eviction, insane maintenance related costs, much not needed. Turn quote was $15K. Switched companies and turn done for $3.5K. I honestly have no idea how this company has clients.


       What company did you end up going with, if you don't mind me asking?


       Asking this again, have folks since found a PM they like working with? 

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