Complaints

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• Initial Complaint

  Date:09/09/2024

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  UnresolvedMore 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.

  First Midwest Rentals increased my rent 18% without giving a 60-day notice. They gave me a 40 day notice instead. My family and I decided that we needed to move with such a big rent increase. While we were looking at other properties from First Midwest Rentals, we discovered that key code to access our property was the same as the other properties that we had been looking at. This was a major safety concern as anyone who knew the key code to one First Midwest Rentals property, knew the key code to all of them. Additionally, when listing our old property, First Midwest Rentals listed it for $50 less than our rent increase. Overall, limited response to negotiate terms, poor response to safety concerns, and poor communication of changes in the lease.

  Business Response

  Date: 09/11/2024

  Thank you for taking the time to share your concerns. We appreciate the opportunity to address them in detail.

  
  Rent Increase Notification: The complainants lease was set to expire on July 31, 2024. This year, the rent for this property was scheduled to increase by $300 upon the lease expiration. While the lease contains no requirement for us to notify tenants in advance of a rent increase, we provided a courtesy notification. Under the terms of the lease, tenants are required to provide 60 days' notice if they do not intend to renew, which allows us to market and re-rent the unit. However, landlords are not obligated under the lease to provide notice of a rent increase. As a courtesy, we informed the complainant of the increase and offered information about different, less expensive properties as alternatives. During these discussions, the complainant indicated that her family planned to purchase a home and would no longer be interested in renting.
  
  Key Code and Property Access: Before the complainant indicated that her family was purchasing a home, we showed her alternative properties. The unit the complainant rented was one of only two properties out of over 300 managed by First Midwest Rentals that have a keypad. For the majority (99%) of our vacant properties, we use lockboxes containing a key, accessible via a code. These lockboxes are removed when a tenant moves in. The code mentioned provides access for maintenance to service vacant units when necessary. Now that the complainant has vacated her unit, the keypad will be replaced with a standard door handle before it is re-rented.
  
  Listing Price Discrepancy: Regarding the rental listing the complainant saw, the property was listed for $1,900 on Zillow, which matches the rent portion of the total monthly charge. However, this price did not include the additional $50 for water and sewer fees, which will be included for any new tenant, bringing the total cost to $1,950. This explains the difference between the listing price and the amount of the complainants rent increase. We appreciate the feedback and strive to ensure greater clarity in future listings.
  
  Communication and Negotiation: We are sorry to hear the complainant felt there was limited communication regarding her lease and negotiations. We aim to keep open lines of communication with our tenants and will take steps to improve our response process.
  We value the input and hope this response provides clarification.Should you wish to discuss this further, please feel free to reach out, and we would be happy to assist.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  First Midwest Rentals

  Customer Answer

  Date: 09/16/2024

   
  Complaint: 22255515
  
  I am rejecting this response because: 
  I am rejecting this response because: the property listing price is still wrong. In the letter I received, my rent would be increasing to $1,950 a month plus the $50 water, sewer, and garbage bill. Therefore, the total would $2,000 a month. I am not able to upload the documents, but I would be happy to send them in an email if needed.  However, the property is currently listed for $1,900 a month plus the $50 water, sewer, and garbage bill. Therefore, the total would be $1,950 a month. In conclusion, you are listing the property for $50 less than what I was told I would have to pay per month. Please adjust the list price and I will be satisfied. 
  
  Lastly, the door keypad was not changed until April 2024 after my sister and I had lived there for 10 months. We did not receive keys for the door and were told the code would be changed. It was never changed until I called and asked for a regular door handle. I only recently discovered the key code was the same as other properties after viewing several properties in June 2024. This means from July 2023 to April 2024 anyone with that key code has access to our property. That is a safety concern. I want you to recognize this problem and prevent it from happening future tenants 
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ***** *******