Property Management
Bell Partners, Inc.This business is NOT BBB Accredited.
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Complaints
This profile includes complaints for Bell Partners, Inc.'s headquarters and its corporate-owned locations. To view all corporate locations, see
Customer Complaints Summary
- 156 total complaints in the last 3 years.
- 53 complaints closed in the last 12 months.
If you've experienced an issue
Submit a ComplaintThe 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:09/06/2022
Type:Sales and Advertising IssuesStatus: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 September 1st, 2022 I was searching for housing on http://*************.com. I saw an advertisement for Bell Uptown Charlotte apartments. It advertised a one bedroom apartment for $1242. This is a great price for a one bedroom but believable for a studio. So I reached out to the apartment complex to confirm. I asked if this was correct for a one bedroom and specified it was not a studio apartment. They confirmed via email that they did not have any studios available and it was the price for a one bedroom. So I believed them, I took time off of work to go look at the apartment. When I arrived, they told me that wasn't correct and wanted me to look at the $2000 one-bedrooms. It felt like being swindled for a timeshare. I wouldn't have been upset had they not CONFIRMED the price. I checked later on the website and they still advertised the one bedroom. It's false advertising at its finest.Business Response
Date: 09/27/2022
Dear Mr. ****,
We appreciate this matter being
brought to our attention. Bell Uptown Charlotte utilizes artificial intelligence ("AI") technology in
multiple facets of our prospective renter experience. In this case, the agent Lacy that you interacted with was one of our AI agents. Despite the AI agent’s assurance
that the advertised pricing of $1242 was for a one-bedroom, it was for a
studio. Although our studio apartments are noted as “Studio”, the AI agent, Lacy, interpreted the floor plan as a one-bedroom due to the reference to
a bedroom/bathroom count of “1x1”. Since your communication, we have been able to make an update to the
back-end settings that allows us to notate studio floor plans as "0x1" so
this issue will not present itself in the future.
Our rental rates adjust daily and
are based on several factors such as the number of available units. The best
resource for current pricing and availability is the property website (https://www.belluptowncharlotte.com/floorplans/#/).
We encourage prospective renters to check rates on the site often, and if they
identify a home that fits their needs, move forward with securing the unit by
completing the online application.
Thank you for the valuable
feedback.
Erin P****
Regional DirectorCustomer Answer
Date: 09/27/2022
I am rejecting this response because:Initial Complaint
Date:08/30/2022
Type:Billing IssuesStatus:ResolvedMore 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.
I am 23 days before move out from Bell Southpark (The Parks) and requested proof of payment for my deposits for the reason that I was recently told I did not pay them at the beginning of my lease for a pet. As stated in my welcome letter, I was ordered to pay $799.71 for 9 days of rent and $100 security deposit and $250 pet deposit. My payment total was $806.97. I am not certain why the amount is different and was never able to get an answer for the reason why.
Upon asking for proof of payment, I was given a screenshot of my lease agreement which states $100. Based on my Welcome Letter and payment receipt, I knew my deposits were more than that amount. I replied asking for proof of payment and was then turned over to the property manager DeShell.
I was told that I did not have any deposits on my account (even though I clearly paid for those) and that they were used for my first full month of rent. This was never discussed with me and although this is the story being told, the calculations do not add up evenly. This was an internal mistake and I demand that deposits be returned upon move out as stated in my rental agreement. It is very concerning that there is no record of large amounts of money being taken from the renter as well as no discussion and approval where it is allocated.Business Response
Date: 09/02/2022
The property is crediting the resident's account and has communicated the result to the resident.Business Response
Date: 09/15/2022
Ms. *****: We apologize for the confusion on your account, but we understand that the property has contacted you directly, credited your account for the deposit, and corrected your lease. If this understanding is incorrect, please let us know. Again, we apologize for any inconvenience.Customer Answer
Date: 09/15/2022
Better Business Bureau:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and I accept it.Initial Complaint
Date:08/25/2022
Type:Service or Repair IssuesStatus: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.
At midnight I received several threatening emails from the “Regional Transitional Manager” Martin Z***** and one from Bell Partners.
Instead of working with me, which I am aware this property and management company does with other residents, he is attempting to kick me out for whatever personal vendetta he send to all of a sudden have for me. I know that they are not following through on certain things with other residents but is making a point to get me out. I have already informed Martin that I will notify him of my move out date no later than Friday. He let me know that is “so good, thank you” then slaps me with multiple emails - two of which I cannot even access - at midnight. That is purely unprofessional behavior and unacceptable. I am aware of Bell Partners absolving debts with residents, accepting partial payments from residents who have outstanding debts to avoid issuing eviction notices, and many other practices that are a quick Fair Housing complaint among other things. I have emailed the staff requesting wages that are owed to me in which I also have proof of per a previous Regional Manager. I have also requested my personal items that their employees seemed to have “helped themselves to” per Martin.
All I ask is that the on-site management team stops all communication with me as I am actively working on moving out. It is threatening, unprofessional behavior that I am aware every resident does not receive.
On another hand, the corporate office at Bell Partners informed me, after offering zero support for a sexual harassment case at the hands of one of their managers who did receive their support, that I could return. At 3am, I then receive an email from Bell Partners saying I was denied at another property.
This all seems very hostile and I just ask it stops as I solidify my move out within the month.Customer Answer
Date: 08/25/2022
The Lakes at Renaissance ParkBusiness Response
Date: 08/29/2022
Response to complainant:
Thank you for sharing
your experience and bringing this to our attention. As a previous Bell employee
and current resident, we want to assist you to have a smooth transition. In light of your request, we will implement a singular line of
communication between you and the Regional Manager Sandra He*******. We've spoken to the
onsite team and advised them to discontinue current and future communication with
you. Sandra will contact you if we have any additional questions. If you
have any questions or concerns in the meantime, please email Sandra at *******************************.Initial Complaint
Date:08/25/2022
Type:Order IssuesStatus: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.
My husband *** ** and I signed a 13-month lease with Avery at Northwinds in June 2021. Before signing the lease, my husband told the Avery agent Kayla S******* that we will move out when the lease ends on 19th, September 2022. Kayla said she made a note in the system that the lease won’t be auto-renewed when it ends. The note will serve as the written notice and the lease will terminate on the 19th, September 2022 without auto-renewal. Then we signed the lease.
After we moved to Avery at Northwinds, Avery at Northwinds was sold to Bell Alpharetta. I suddenly received an email from Michelle of Bell Alpharetta last week that my lease will be put into auto-renewal with a monthly rent increase of $900 per month. I came to the office to talk to the community assistant manager Brandon Burrows about the note Avery’s agent Kayla S******* put in the system that our lease will terminate without auto-renewal as we agreed before signing the lease. Brandon B****** said “The system that Avery used is no longer active and no one on our end would have the ability to access it….The conversation from last year cannot in any way be used as a notice to vacate.” I also tried to talk to the community manager Victoria, but she never called me back.
I’m writing to complain about the irresponsible practice that Bell Alpharetta does. Bell Alpharetta purchased Avery and should agree to what Avery at Northwinds promised to do instead of enforcing us to autorenewal.Business Response
Date: 08/25/2022
*** *** and *** ** signed a lease at the property for the period 8/20/21-9/19/22. The lease requires a written 60 day notice to vacate (a copy of the lease is attached). The property sent the leaseholders a written renewal offer on 7/8/22 and a written reminder notification on 8/02/22. Both of these documents included the 60 day notice requirement. The leaseholders did not respond to these communications. The property also sent a written communication to the leaseholders on 8/22/22 requesting a renewal decision. On 8/22/2022, Ms. *** responded that she had a verbal conversation with the previous management company in June
of 2021 in which she was promised that she would not be responsible for a notice
period and that her lease would not auto-renew. The property has no record of this verbal conversation and explained to the leaseholders that we would not be able to honor a verbal notice, which is contrary to the signed lease. The property explained the expenses affiliated with not fulfilling the notice period, and
explained other options available to the leaseholders (such as transferring to a sister property). The VP of Operations for the property also spoke with Ms. *** on 8/24 to reiterate the requirement of a
written notice and to notify her that we would consider her email dated 8/22 as
the start of her written notice period to terminate the lease.Customer Answer
Date: 08/26/2022
I am rejecting this response because:
1. We signed a 13-month lease with Avery at Northwinds in June 2021. Before signing the lease, *** ** told the Avery agent Kayla S******* that we will move out when the lease ends on 19th, September 2022. Kayla said she made a note in the system that the lease won’t be auto renewed when it ends. The note is the written notice that the lease will terminate on the 19th, September 2022 without auto-renewal.
2. We signed the lease with Avery and follow what Avery has promised.
3. When Bell Alpharetta took over Avery, Bell Alpharetta should sign a new lease with us or Bell Alpharetta should let us know in a written form that Bell Alpharetta will use a new system.
4.We didn’t receive any emails from Bell Alpharetta on 7/8/22 and 8/02/22 (If emails were sent, they probably went to the junk mails). We did receive emails from Michelle R**** on 8/19/22 and 8/22/22 which said our lease would be auto renewed, which surprised us. That’s why *** *** came to talk to the front desk on 8/20/22. The front desk lady said the assistant manager will give us a call on Monday. However, we didn’t receive any calls till 5p.m on Monday then *** *** had to make a visit to the leasing office again on 8/22/22 and had a talk with Brandon B******.
Initial Complaint
Date:08/24/2022
Type:Service or Repair IssuesStatus: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.
I have filed a complaint on three separate occasions regarding a mold issue within the dwelling. Sarah R*** and Milagros R******** have continually failed to take corrective measures to remove the mold. I have now put them on notice for their violation of Florida Statute 83.51(1). I have demanded immediate remediation and a mold assessor’s report. I am refusing to pay rent until I have been given a copy of a licensed mold assessor’s report stating that there is zero presence of mold in my apartment.Business Response
Date: 09/01/2022
We had our vendor inspect the complainant's unit on August 26th. The vendor found no signs of elevated moisture or visible mold in the unit. Also, the HVAC coil appeared clean and was controlling humidity in the unit. As a matter of company policy, we do not provide copies of any vendor reports to residents.Business Response
Date: 09/07/2022
The following is in response to Ms.
******’s 9.2.2022 communication. In her
communication, she raises several points that are false:
We did not fail to repair the AC unit within 7
days of complaint. As an initial matter, Ms. ****** did not
complain about the AC unit in her August 24 notice (see attached). When the maintenance manager went to the apartment
to investigate her August 24 notice, she mentioned to the maintenance manager
that she thought the AC
was the problem. However, when the
vendor inspected the apartment on
August 26, the AC was working properly. Thus,
we did not fail to repair something that is working properly. Also, as included in our prior response, the
vendor found no signs of elevated
moisture or visible mold in the unit contradicting Ms. ******’s claim that
there is a problem in her apartment.
We did not cover
up mold in bathroom with paint. In response to Ms. ******’s August 24 notice, the maintenance
manager decided to clean the AC unit in her apartment. However, while the maintenance manager was in
her apartment, Ms. ****** contacted the office repeatedly to complain that the
maintenance manager did not know what he was doing. As a result, we directed the maintenance
manager to leave the apartment, and we contacted a vendor (as discussed above)
to address her apartment. We did not enter the apartment again until the
vendor’s inspection on 8/26. We did not paint anything in the
bathroom.
Earlier in her tenancy (April 17,
20220), Ms. ****** submitted a work order for mildew behind the toilet. At that time, the property contacted a vendor
to evaluate the situation. To address
Ms. ******’s concerns, the vendor cleaned the air ducts and used a HEPA vacuum
and anti-microbial scrub and fog.
Nothing was painted over at this time either.
We did not spray
bleach in Ms. ******’s apartment to cover up mold before the ServePro service
on August 26, 2022. As noted above, in response to Ms. ******’s August 24
notice, the maintenance manager decided to clean the AC unit. He started using water and AC cleaning soap
-- he did not use any bleach – but Ms. ****** repeatedly complained that he did
not know what he was doing so we directed the maintenance manager to leave the
apartment. We did not enter the apartment again until the vendor’s
inspection on 8/26. We never sprayed any bleach in her
apartment. We have no knowledge of
anything that may have caused Ms. ******’s family to experience headaches.
Following
her 9.2.2022 communication, Mr. ****** moved out of her apartment on 9.3.2022. Ms. ****** requested to pick up her security
deposit in person at the property, but the property informed her that the
security deposit will be sent to her forwarding address in accordance with
Florida law. The only deductions from
her security deposit will be her final water/sewer charge. In addition, the property has waived Ms.
******’s rent for the period from September 1 to September 3.Customer Answer
Date: 09/08/2022
I am rejecting this response because:In an effort to respond to Bell Partner's response, I would like to provide the BBB with a copy of the mold assessor's report which shows that Bell Partners is deliberately lying to avoid having to take responsibility for their mistakes. The AC was not repaired within 7 days. If that were true, they would have had to remove the mold in the apartment by September 1st, 2022, since their 7-day notice was issued to them on August 24th, 2022. This did not happen. See attached mold assessor's report dated September 2nd, 2022. It is clear that the problem was not resolved within 7 days per Florida Statutes. The report shows microbial growth in the HVAC, and the licensed mold assessor recommended that they remove building materials to find the source of the microbial growth. In addition, the mold assessor found elevated moisture behind the toilet in the guest bathroom and recommended for them to do a test cut to find the source of the moisture. Bell Partners says that I did not complain about the AC until August 24th which is another lie. See attached work orders which show that I clearly made a number of work orders concerning the AC. The AC never worked properly and was leaking according to the maintenance work orders which were placed. Bell Partners claims that the AC was always working properly which is false. The HVAC was never working properly. Actually, it was leaking if you look at the work orders that were made (see attachments). The coils were extremely dirty and old. If the AC was in good repair, why does the licensed mold assessor's report say that they found microbial growth and why would they suggest for Bell Partners to remove building materials above the HVAC? The vendor that was sent to inspect the AC on August 26th was ******* which is a mold remediation company, not a licensed mold assessor. When you have mold, the first action that needs to be taken is to contact a licensed mold assessor to perform an air sample test. This means that Bell Partners did not take the correct action by contact *******. ******* came to the apartment for 15 minutes and did a very simple inspection. They left without giving us any information. Bell Partners management office demanded ******* that they not speak to us or provide us with any information in regard to the mold.
They claim that they did not cover up the mold in the bathroom with paint but that is actually another lie. The mold assessor's report shows elevated moisture behind the toilet and recommended for them to make a test cut to find the source of the moisture. They also said that they did not spray the bleach in our apartment which is another lie. I have an eyewitness who will be happy to testify that the maintenance manager sprayed bleach to try and make the mold appear not as bad. Bell Partners should reimburse me for the cost of moving into an apartment which was not suitable for residential use. In addition, they should reimburse me for my costs associated with moving out because of respiratory symptoms caused by the mold. I would also like to be reimbursed for my U-haul expenses, movers, and expense for the mold assessor's report. Failure to do so will result in further legal actions.
Initial Complaint
Date:08/19/2022
Type:Product IssuesStatus: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.
I moved out from Apt 603 on May 8th at **** ****** ****. The company should send me the deposit check just after I move out. But I still haven’t receive the check. I check with the leasing office several time, but they just said they need time to process.Business Response
Date: 08/24/2022
Mr. **** transferred from unit #***
to unit #*** on May 8. His final account statement for unit #*** was processed on May
9, and his $100 deposit refund was processed on May 16. The property mailed the refund check to
his forwarding address on file at unit #*** at the property. On July 12, Mr. ****
contacted our office asking about the refund check. The property explained To Mr. **** that the
check had been mailed to his forwarding address. In response, Mr. **** stated that he was
away for the summer, and the property suggested that he check with his roommate to see
if the check was in their mailbox. The property did not hear from Mr. **** again until he
moved out of unit #*** on August 10 when he mentioned that he still
had not received the refund check for unit #***. At this time, Mr. **** requested that the check be forwarded to his new address in
Washington state. The property initiated the process to cancel the original check and reissue a new on to be sent to Mr. ****'s Washington state address. The replacement check was
processed on August 18, however, on August 20, we received Mr. ****'s BBB complaint in which he now indicates his address is in Durham, NC. We now have sent the refund check to Mr. ****'s address in Durham via *** **. The tracking number is **** **** ****.Initial Complaint
Date:08/05/2022
Type:Billing IssuesStatus: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.
I paid for the application, earnest money, whatever other charges they added on. It came out to like $225 just to file the application. I didn't hear anything from them so I stopped by the complex where I was told the "available now" apartment wasn't ready and was extremely dirty. They found another apartment which was supposed to be available August 8th (then pushed back to the 31st.) I got one phone call from them saying I need to provide proof of income. I sent my proof of income to their email they provided. Again, didn't hear anything from them for a week until I got an email saying "If we don't get your proof of income in 24 hours, we're keeping your money and you can't apply again for 30 days. We've only received screenshots which we cannot accept. " Apparently the screenshots I sent of my bank account, deposits from my employer, and letter from the owner stating that I was a salaried employee making over 3x rent wasn't good enough. It's ridiculous that they can't even call me to tell me that, just send a threatening email (which I didn't even get until late in the night) saying I had to provide what I already provided but in a different format (but wouldn't tell me what format would work for them) and give me 24 hours when I had to be at work the next day DOING WORK.
Timeline- I applied on Monday July 25th, went into the office on Wednesday July 27th, got a phone call on July 28th stating that the next step was to provide my proof of income (which I sent to them that evening when I got off work,) then an email the evening of August 4th saying I had to provide them with proof of income by 6pm the next day or they would keep my money. I told them to just refund my money and apparently I'm only getting $100 back. When I asked about the rest of the money they said the application fee is non refundable. That's whatever, the application fee was $50, I'd pay $50 not to deal with them again, but what happened to the other $75?Business Response
Date: 08/29/2022
Hello,
I received the attached letter regarding ***** ****** I spoke with ***** today to discuss his concerns and his request for a refund. A refund for $175 was processed today which included the $75 admin fee and $100 security deposit. ***** confirmed that the refund met his request and no further action was required. Please let me know if you need additional information to close out the case.
Best Regards,
Cynthia ***** Regional Transition Manager
11210 Ranch to Market 2222 unit 13104 | Austin, TX 78730
O 336.387.5434 | C 512.760.5247
Confidentiality Notice: This electronic transmission and any attachments may contain information from Bell Partners Inc. that may be confidential, privileged or exempt from disclosure under applicable law. If you are not the intended recipient, you have received this communication in error, and you are not authorized to use, copy, disclose or distribute the contents of this communication or any attachment. Please contact the sender immediately by replying to this message and delete all copies from your computer.Initial Complaint
Date:08/01/2022
Type:Billing IssuesStatus:ResolvedMore 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.
I signed a lease from July 2021 thru July 2022 with *** ***** ** *********** **** in ******, TX. At 68 days from the end of my lease term, I used the web contact form of their site (thelakesatx.com) to notify them in writing that I would not be renewing my lease. I got no follow-up. At 34 days out I went to the leasing office in person, but they could not confirm that they'd received my notice and stated I'd be responsible for an another month which was not in the terms of the lease contract. I sent them an email confirming that I would not be renewing. For the final month of my lease I was charge 1.5x the rate in my contract which I did pay. I moved out and turned my keys in 4 days before the final day of my lease. Within a week, I received a move out charge with an early termination fee of 6950.00, an insufficient notice penalty of $500, and an additional month's rent for $3475 with them stating that the account would be sent to collections within 15 days. Also the dates stated in the move out statement are completely inaccurate. I worked with the leasing office manager where I am now to draft a letter of dispute, but they've all but dismissed my attempts to get an explanation of charges and/or billing adjustment.Customer Answer
Date: 08/12/2022
Better Business Bureau:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and I accept it. A leasing office manager has reached out directly to resolve the issue. We came to an agreement on an adjust amount which I had sent payment for by cashier's check. While I have not received a final confirmation that my payment was applied, I'm considering this matter resolved.
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