ComplaintsforA. R. Building Company, Inc.

• Initial Complaint

  11/05/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  My apartment complex, *******************, ************, is falsely adding extra fees to residents for no reason. I paid November 2024 rent on 10/31/24. I have screenshot of the confirmation. My bank account had $1365.57 balance, my rent payment was $1365.00 leaving 57cents. AR BUILDING (PA based company) took my payment, sent it back claiming Non sufficient funds. I have confirmation from my bank that there was a positive balance. Screenshots of everything. My building manager is saying that they wont do refunds of fees NO EXCEPTIONS. On BBB website there is a current government action alert ATTORNEY GENERAL REACHES SETTLEMENT WITH LANDLORD FOR OVERBILLING

  Business response

  11/15/2024

  ****** made a payment and did not have enough money to cover the payment.  We have nothing to do with this, a payment is made on our website and it either goes thru or comes back NSF.  There was most likely something pending on the bank account that made this payment go NSF.

• Initial Complaint

  10/16/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Unanswered

  More info

  We rented from ***************** from 07/2022 through 08/2024 and had no issues during our time there. On 09/09/2024, we received a bill in the mail from a debt collection company called Resident Advocate (based in *******) for carpet replacement due to damages in the amount of $1600. We learned after multiple calls, that ***************** had charged us for carpet replacement, was refusing to talk to us regarding the charges, and that they had sold this bill to a debt collector before talking to us about it. ***************** stated they would only communicate with us through this debt collector. Based on Kentucky law (KRS ******* 3),we shouldve been contacted and allowed to view the damage in person, after it had been assessed, to either sign a statement of agreement or disagreement before moving forward. After extensive time spent to get a response from someone at ***. Oaks, they merely said the carpet had already been replaced and we couldnt view the damage. This violated our rights as tenants in ******** according to the *** statute listed above. For proof of the damage the debt collector provided two pictures of the supposed carpet damage but couldnt and/or wouldnt prove they were even from our apartment. We filed a dispute through the debt collection agency stating all of these concerns, but ***************** unsurprisingly denied this dispute.We debated going to small claims court regarding the clear breach of Kentucky Landlord Tenant Laws, but we had already moved outside of the state of ********. We agreed to settle the debt for $800 (50%), after being told multiple times that a settlement offer wouldnt be accepted. We only agreed to the settlement because having both started new jobs recently, neither of us could take time off work to deal with this issue. Resident Advocate was also threatening to report the bill to credit bureaus which would severely impact our credit scores. All this less than 2 weeks after receiving the letter.

• Initial Complaint

  10/11/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Unanswered

  More info

  On 09/15/2024 a formal letter of request along with an Emotional Support ************ Certificate provided by a licensed psychologist was submitted to A. R. BUILDING COMPANY. On 09/25/2024 an email was received from A. R. BUILDING COMPANY declining authorization of the *** without unburdened cause. A. R. BUILDING COMPANY requested additional forms such as therapist dates and or billing receipts. Before the deadline to submit requested documents on 10/10/2024 a 15-day notification of eviction was produced by A. R. BUILDING COMPANY for all parties residing at ***************************************** to leave the premises based upon a unauthorized animal living on premises. Based on the dates of events our family is being wrongly evicted being discriminated against due to a submitted *** request for a mental health disability.

• Initial Complaint

  10/01/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  On July twelfth 2024 I ***** ****** made a electronic payment of $225 to timber ridge apartments in ******************************* for a application fee $50 app fee and $175 administration fee. At no point in the process is it stated to be non refundable for the admin fee. $225 for someone to deny you is a steep cost. I have multiple screenshots of the very misleading site. At no point during my applying or confirmation of my payment did the site state it was non refundable.

  Business response

  10/22/2024

  There was miscommunication between both parties about whether or not he was going to pursue the rental application.  We are going to refund the $175 admin fee as the applicant was denied

• Initial Complaint

  09/23/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Weve been tenants at this apartment complex for 2 years, never missed a payment or had any complaints of any kind. We payed a security deposit of 300$ when we moved in. The apartment we lived in had carpet and when we moved out there were a few stains that we knew we couldnt get up but thats what the security deposit for. Other than that there was no other damage. We moved out a couple days before our move out date. The apartment complex wants to charge us 200$ for carpet cleaning, 1209.59$ for carpet replacement and ****** for a period of lost rent which is absolutely ridiculous. We would just like to close out our Minol account but it will not allow us to do so unless we pay the full charges. Our minol charges are ***** and that is all we are willing to pay because that was what we owed to close the account.

  Business response

  09/24/2024

  There was no Carpet Cleaning charged.  Please see attached FAS that was sent out on September 18th with a credit for that charge since the carpet was replaced.  See attached carpet damage pics.  Carpet was stained extremely bad and needed a full replacement.  We charged for the cost of that carpet (see attached invoice) and rent lost due of $258.33 for the additional time it took to get the carpet replaced.  

• Initial Complaint

  09/20/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I have had my renters insurance since we moved into this location in April. I have been charged $75 dollars since then for this community adding an additional renters insurance policy to my account. There was a $30 dollar balance on my account from the additional charges from the renters insurance policies. I have now been charged an additional $285 now for late fees. I have not had any lapse in coverage since we have moved in but was getting charged for an additional insurance policy. I was also charged in June for vacant gas charges along with another $190 late fee. This was because the office gave me the wrong information on what gas company I was supposed to be using. They gave me a company that does not even do gas where we are located. I paid that balance in June for their mistake. I am refusing to pay these late fees for something that I have had since April. I have not had any lapse in renters insurance coverage at all. They are not willing to help in anyway and will not give me any supervisors information. This is not right and this community is charging and penalizing people for no reason at all.

  Business response

  10/14/2024

  Renters Insurance is required and when the policy expires it is the tenant responsibility to provide proof of the renewal.  An email was sent and ignored which resulted in charges until proof was submitted.

• Initial Complaint

  08/26/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  We rent from ****** ***** **** ** ******* ** and renewed our lease on 5/31/24. The lease requires that we provide proof of renters insurance (which we did on 2/5/24). Upon making a water bill pmt on 7/24/24 we learned of a $40 insurance violation charge made on 7/22/24 coinciding with the anniversary of our policy renewal. We uploaded our policy info on 7/24/24 and again on 7/25/24 to provide proof of coverage with no lapse. On 7/24/24 we sent email, “** ***** ****** account reflects a violation charge for not having renters insurance but we have the same insurance with no changes, which was previously accepted. Please advise. Thank you” and received on 7/25/24, “Did you upload the updated policy when it renewed? With 3rd party insurance, I don’t get updates about policies.” On 7/29/24 we sent, “Hi ***** I’m glad to share that we finally got reapproval for our policy. Please confirm that the $40 charge on 7/22/24 will be reversed since we’re in compliance with no gap in coverage and we never received notice of need to reupload policy details as was the case earlier this year (ie, Feb).” On 8/6/24 we received, “Nice work **** Just a few more steps to complete your move-in checklist which may include items like: Access important property info Setting up rent and other payments Providing proof of renters insurance Make sure you are ready for move-in” and a follow up email on 8/8/24, which I forwarded to Willow Crest on 8/8/24 and received, * ** **** I apologize for the delay. I believe you can. I saw an email that your insurance was approved and I know you have already signed the renewal. You can ignore and I will look further into it.” On 8/16/24 we received, ***** You're Not Move-In Ready Yet... Move-in day is nearly here. Please complete the Welcome Guide Checklist to help ensure a smoother day for you. This checklist contains critical items that will help us prepare for your arrival.” Now we’re fighting a 500% or $200 late charge even after PAYING the $40 fee.

  Business response

  09/04/2024

  This was charged in error as we did not realize that the tenant communicated before the rent due date about the insurance charge and late fee.  The late fees will be removed from this tenant's ledger

  Customer response

  09/04/2024

  [A default letter is provided here which indicates your acceptance of the business's response.  If you wish, you may update it before sending it.]
  
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********* and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me. 
  
  Regards,
  
  *** ******

• Initial Complaint

  08/12/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Unanswered

  More info

  I signed a new lease at my apartment about a month ago, the lease got unsigned and kicked back. I hadnt gotten around to resigning, and today I got a $189 fee because my lease hadnt been signed yet. They knew full well my intention was to stay as I had already signed a lease. I went to argue the fee with my property manager, and she accused me of being aggressive because I gave my opinion on the job she is doing. No threats were made, no laws were broken. About 5 minutes after asking her to send the lease I recieved a letter stating that they werent going to allow me to renew my lease, they gave me 60 days to vacate my apartment. I am a disabled veteran who has lived here for 3 years and has never missed a single rent payment, nor have I ever had a complaint against me. I feel this is 100% retaliatory by the property manager. I asked for the number to talk to her supervisors, and they wont even tell us the name of the property owner. I just know it is At buildings. I am going to be contacting BHUD and the state of indianas attorney generals office tomorrow.

• Initial Complaint

  08/02/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Unresolved

  More info

  My prior landlord has requested we pay a debt on fees that we have no prior communication on. I called the property manager of Kettle Point II (A. R. BUILDING COMPANY) on 8/2 after becoming aware of this debt attempt via email on 8/1 from the collector – they expressed this was for carpet cleaning despite paying a $200 carpet cleaning fee (which was a undisclosed fee amount prior). There was no communication of this prior and to have this sent to debt collector the day after my lease ends seems like a further egregious business practice. We had a scheduled walk through within the month of July (but after we gave our keys in on 7/16) which they never called, were present for or provided any documentation to date. I also submitted a letter to Resident Advocate in normal outgoing mail on 8/1 thinking this was an unpaid month of rent given the level of fees they were requesting prior to verbally speaking to the property manager on 8/2. In general, there is hidden fees taking advantage of the tenant, repetitive fees in instance of a carpet cleaning fee of $200 and apparently fees post move out related to carpet and maybe others (still don’t have any formal documentation on this) and other short term fees (increase in rent, increase in utilizes and a $750 short term stay fee). Another side note that they forced us to use a $180 cable/internet package but I had called COX and got it reduced to just internet – they never paid the difference back to me either.

  Business response

  08/02/2024

  There is nothing hidden at all about the carpet fee charge.  Please refer to the attached signed lease on page 18.  Also see attached ledger as we did not actually charge this carpet cleaning charge. We charged it and then reversed it as the stains on the carpet were way too much and we needed to do a carpet replacement.  Please see attached pictures of the condition that the carpet was left in.  

  Customer response

  08/05/2024

  Dear Better Business Bureau,
  
  I have reviewed the first initial written response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********* and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint. 
  
  I thank the BBB for your quick and immediate action as I had called both the property management and the debt collector am of 8/2 after discovering this unsettling & unplanned hidden fee and both were unable to provide me any written documentation at time of opening the BBB Compliant Case. Since then, the debt collector has provided me the lease and account ledger but no photo documentation. I plan to provide this same written response to them in parallel.
  
  I'd reiterate that a cleaning fee of $200 was paid in advance as well as the landlord not showing up or providing any communication whatsoever for our scheduled lease-end walk through on 7/22 (confirmed via email) to document any issues/concerns at the conclusion of my lease. This is the first instance of receiving any documentation what so ever on the “debt” - there is also no clear evidence/proof that the cleaning fee wouldn’t address any potential concerns/issues outlined as normal wear and tear OR that this is even my apartment previously rented as a matter of fact. Furthermore, the security deposit should address any and all concerns a Landlord has as part of typical wear & tear; the fact a separate $200 carpet cleaning fee was even present previously is also unprecedented especially at an undisclosed amount. I had previously tried to get the original lease redlined upon initial move in 2022 for things that were not relevant like “shoveling the driveway” but they were unwilling to make any adjustments whatsoever.
  
  I’ve never heard of a debt collector being involved <30 days, let alone next day, after a lease terminates for a bill that was 1) never made known to the tenant directly 2) repetitive in hidden and gouging fees and 3) 1 day after the apparent charge to my account. There are also separate issues with other hidden fees related to this landlord including ~$1K incremental monthly short term rental fees/increases that were also undisclosed of in proper/formal manner as well as forcing tenants into a cable/internet package of ~$180/monthly despite myself contacting the company (COX) to reduce services and not getting the ~$100/monthly savings in cost refunded.
  
  I request that this hidden fee be dismissed immediately before further action is taken. I will be engaging in formal legal representation if this matter continues as I fundamentally believe these are egregious and unethical business practices this landlord has conducted. I am sure that many others have also experienced similar extortionary, price gouging business practice behaviors from this landlord based on other informal discussions I’ve had previously with prior tenants and staff which needs to be addressed and rectified as soon as possible.
  
  I thank the BBB again for the time, consideration and advocating on behalf of me to provide the first written documented response from the landlord itself.
  
  Regards,
  
  ****** ***** ************

• Initial Complaint

  07/17/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Facilities Issues

  Status:

  Unresolved

  More info

  on july 3rd my air conditioning stopped working. *** put in the request over 2 weeks now and its still in the 80s in my apartment and i live on the top floor with the temperature being 90 and up outside. theyve come to fix it 3 times and im now being told my whole unit need replaced because the maintenance man neglected fixing the leaking and freezing issue months ago telling me my air conditioning has to be at 70 which is a lie and a violation of the lease *** signed. they told me they have to wait to be approved and that i probably wont have air conditioning most likely until friday. every time ive contacted about the air conditioning theyve laughed in my face and told me to basically get over it. one of the maintenance men **** gave me a portable air conditioning for our bedroom only so the rest of the apartment is terrible. the air conditioning unit and the portable unit has produced so much condensation the flooring is wet and my carpet is soaked and they havent done anything about that either. they told me i had to neuter my dog to live here and i did friday the 12th of july. its extremely hazardous for my dog to be in 80 degree air conditioning post surgery and they still do not care. i cannot even clean my house properly because i overheat so quickly and have to be locked away in my room to feel even the slightest bit of cool. theyve told me they will not deduct my rent at all for this month and as long as ive had no air conditioning for and theyll get to it when they get to it. for 2 weeks its been ill do it tomorrow or ill get to it on monday morning but nothings been fixed so now i still have to wait until the end of this week to get anything done. their are heat warnings all the time right now and ive been having to live with it without any compensation! i wont be paying them anything without any compensation and i will not be reliable for any damages theyve caused due to neglect

  Business response

  07/22/2024

  We have handled this issue as quickly as we could and gave portable A/C unit to tenant while it was getting fixed.  Offered a 2nd portable unit as well and was declined.  Below are the details

  Work Order placed on 7/3. **** company had to come out on 7/5. Portable unit was given on 7/3.
  New Work Order placed 7/12 for the same issue. The original bid was approved for work, but when the **** company came out to start that work, they realized that there was a major leak and the inside unit needed to be replaced. NKY Heating and Cooling and ***** **** provided a bid on 7/17/24. ***** was approved on 7/17/24 and the unit is being replaced today, 7/19/24.
  There was no communication between 7/3/24 and 7/12/24.
  The dog she is referring to was an unauthorized animal and was required to be neutered.
  They were offered a 2nd portable unit, and they refused it multiple times.
  The resident has been kept in the loop on the timeline of getting the unit replaced. 

   

  Customer response

  07/22/2024

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.
  
  [To assist us in bringing this matter to a close, we would like to know your view on the matter.]
  
  Regards,
  
  ******* **********

*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. ↩