All Forum Posts by: Shannon Reynolds

I'm over here trying to be "positive" and snarky, Clayton. Haha. There's a lot of toxic animosity floating around this thread and I'm trying to be the voice of reason. Like, "Hey everyone, I get it. Clearly, there're a lot of unresolved feelings inside some of us that got bottled up and we just want to let them all out, put them all on this Shannon-guy, and find other people who can validate our big emotions. But, maybe, I mean, I'm no therapist, but maybe this isn't the place. Let's just put this to bed and do more productive stuff. No need to take out all your pent up frustration on your keyboard."

On another note, @Clayton. Your suggestion did not go unnoticed! Sincerely, thank you for that recommendation. I will check out Turbotenant and I do intend on having more conversations with my PM. 

Why? I said I'd happily pay a premium rate if I understood the logic. I said to my PM, "Wait, that sounds sketchy, can you explain?" Their response was, "That's just how it is, we're not going to explain it to you." So I came here. And all these lovely people are like, "Yeah, that's how it is. You're just a bad person." 🤣 Luckily, some people, like Magic James, actually took the time to explain "why it is the way it is." Even tho it was all angry and James still thinks I'm a "bad person." Now I know. And now, I can just focus on what's important...reading all the hilarious troll posts that keep coming in. Thanks for your post Sebastian! 🥰

Mark,

When did I argue with anyone? They offered an opinion. I said, "Hey, thanks. That's a helpful opinion, but I've moved on to a new question now. Can you help me find the specific laws about this topic so I can do my due diligence?" And now I'm a heretic? How dare I post on her to increase my knowledge? I should just give up on the pursuit of self-improvement and fall in line, so I don't hurt peoples' feelings and make their childhood trauma of feeling discredited and unheard flare up.

"Sorry, Mark! Sorry everyone who felt insulted by me asking more than one question. I hope you all live a long, happy life with all the people who love you and you don't spend undue time worrying about this silly BP thread anymore."

David,

Maybe you got lost in the thread or stopped after a certain point. Don't worry, you wouldn't be the only one...it's a lot to follow. Especially when so many people hopping on here want to give the exact same emotionally-charged, offended, and "personal" opinion over and over...and over. It's comedic and ironic that you made the comment that I'm the one taking it personal. From where I'm sitting, reading some of these replies, you would think I insulted these peoples' moms and kicked their dogs...or vice versa.  🤣

I'm sure the same comments will keep flowing in regardless, but if you read through the thread, you'll see that I abandoned my specific issue and just wanted to know, "what exactly is the law, though?" "At what point is the line crossed?" You can scroll up. I found my answer. Case closed. 

Thanks for your enlightening reply tho. Sorry for triggering you. Hope you have a wonderful day.

Here's what ChatGPT, Esquire has to say on the matter. 😁 Again, I was just curious and fueled by annoyed, frustration when I wrote my first post. I appreciate those of you who were sympathetic to the situation and legitimately tried to be helpful...the rest of you, thanks for the laughs. 😝

"Yes, a Property Management company that performs tenant turnover maintenance and bills by an hourly rate could be subject to Maryland Criminal Law Code § 7-104 if they are found to be intentionally inflating labor times for work orders.

### Relevant Aspects of § 7-104:

- **Theft by Deception**: Under § 7-104, theft includes obtaining property or services by deception, which involves knowingly providing false or misleading information to obtain something of value. In this context, billing for more hours than were actually worked would constitute deception, as the property management company would be receiving payment for services not actually rendered or overcharging for the services performed.

- **Fraudulent Intent**: To be subject to § 7-104, there must be intent to defraud. If the property management company knowingly inflates labor times with the purpose of increasing their billing amount, this would likely satisfy the intent requirement.

### Potential Penalties:

- **Restitution**: The company could be ordered to pay restitution to the affected parties, typically in the amount of the overcharge.

- **Fines and Imprisonment**: Depending on the value of the fraudulent billing, penalties could include fines or imprisonment. For example, if the value of the fraud is over $1,500, it could be considered a felony, which carries more severe penalties.

- **Civil Liability**: In addition to criminal penalties, the company could also face civil lawsuits for fraud, where the affected parties could seek compensatory and possibly punitive damages.

Given the potential legal consequences, it would be advisable for any property management company in such a situation to consult with legal counsel to ensure their billing practices are compliant with the law and to address any issues related to past billing practices." - ChatGPT

Got it, Jay. Flawless logic. Very wise.

"Civil laws are written to state What is illegal" - Russell Brazil

This is what I'm asking for, my guy. Where are the laws that regulate illegal activities in this industry. Maybe you can ask the AG, since you're not sure? ;)

"Numerous experts, including lobbyists and lawyers" have been happy to tell me I'm wrong, but failed to adequately explain or even attempt to explain why I'm wrong. 

I don't even know what I'm wrong about...I keep saying over and over, "does anyone know where I can find the official source?" 

I am sorry you didn't appreciate my forum discussion though, Russell. I'm sure you're very knowledgeable and you've been doing this for so long, you have forgotten how us new people need to "trust, but verify" still. It's not a reflection on you. 😁

Okay, but, again...where is the line? 

What if I have a camera pointing directly at my sink (recording laws aside) and a plumber, who bills by the hour, quotes me for 10 hours of work. I dont know any better, so i agree to the work order. Then he sends me a bill for 10 hours, but I later see that he unclogged my sink in 5 minutes. Maybe that is legal...idk, I kinda feel like no one wants to address that question directly. I'm not talking about flat-rate or justifiable scenarios...just straight up lying to the client. 

Everything on Google says charging for labor not performed, or "padding," is never legal. But, people in this forum would argue otherwise. Obviously, proving the padding ever happened is a different hurdle...which I'm not entertaining. But hypothetically, if you did prove it...?

Russell, sorry, I didn't see your last response at first. That's cool that you work with the AG. I'm looking for understanding and sources, not confirmation. 

So if I understand you correctly, if Person A enters into a contract with Person B to perform Job Z for $100 per hour and B billed A for 10 hours, but later A finds out that B only worked for 1 hour, that is legal. 

Can you provide the source of that information? 

Stuuuuart! I openly volunteered that I declined the quote and, thus, have not been "harmed." This is more of a fact finding mission. Maybe I want to be a real estate lawyer when I grow up.

Your snarkiness has added nothing.