RPM Direct LLC - Residential Property Management

We have always rented because we just felt it was easier for us. When our last long term rental went through a divorce we were pressed to find a new home. I ran across a home in Occoquan, VA for $2650.00 a month. Not cheap rent and with being professionally managed we thought this will get us great service. We read the reviews on yelp or google and weren't impressed but thought this must be clients that didn't pay their rent and were just retaliating to the company. I can assure you were paid our rent on time (the month prior to leaving I clicked on March 1 for payment but it was just February that month we got a call but did pay by the 5th - for full disclosure.) I understand RPM isn't working for the renter but I really thought some basic rules were in place to protect us. Boy was I wrong! When we moved in the house, it was gross. We paid to have the house cleaned, carpets cleaned, and dog poop removed from the yard. Upon moving out I know why. RPM does not do a final clean it is all on the previous occupant. This happened to be the owners of my home with a huge hairy black dog. After we got settled in and started to get to know the neighbors. We were told our owner (the woman) was living with the neighbor TWO DOORS down. Now this struck me as silly. She must of seen us. We didn't know her so we wouldn't recognize her. Why wouldn't an owner just come down and say "hi I am ""x" if you have any issues call RPM enjoy your stay." Well, this questioned is answered when we are moving out which I will detail in the end. In May 2017, my husband was involved in a major car accident where he vehicle was struck in a parking lot. He endured a lacerated liver, spleen and had complete reconstructive surgery to his shoulder. With a long hospital stay and a year recovery Needless to say this was not some sort of minor accident. At some point, I was home and stepped out to the balcony (it was a weekend not sure exact date) The neighbor on the next end unit we will call him "Jerry" says hey my wife saw the lawn care guys in the common area throw a rock up and hit the siding. There is a hole there now. So, when I was leaving I went out and looked and sure enough there was a small rock size hole in the bottom piece. I couldn't see it from the driveway as we had a huge electric box in the middle blocking my view. Let's fast forward a few weeks or month (not exactly sure time frame as this was not really on top on my list of importance at this time) I started receiving phone call after phone call from the CSR which I will call "Vanessa" So many I have screen shots of the calls. They were coming every 15 mins at one point. As soon as I received the first call I called back and said yes, "jerry" next door told me the community yard crew threw a rock up and it hit the siding. I then explained my husband was still recovering and I was told on a weekend and it slipped my mind to call or email. "Vanessa" was just being a total pain in the ***. My neighbor "Jerry" and his wife either had to write a letter to the owner of my property or the management company as what had happened. This didn't stop the phone calls or the emails. They kept comping. Honestly, at this point I was so over it I just had a siding company come and fix it. "Vanessa" was not going to stop calling or emailing me. What can I tell you but "Jerry told me his wife saw it happen from the community yard people" I had no more information. We didn't do it. We didn't have anything to do with it. After, this happened the community management company told me that they found 6 other people that had the same damage and they ended the agreement with the lawn company because they wouldn't take responsibility. I went back and forth with RPM and was told they would work to get my money back. In October 2018, we took our rent to RPM and saw Michelle the owner. I was again told she would work on this. Do you think anything was done? Nope!!! When we were moving out on March 20, 2019 three members from the board came to our house. They said we have felt bad about us getting stuck with this repair of the siding. Well, let me tell you the meeting lasted over and hour and did nothing but **** me off. The community management company had sent letters about repairs to owner of the home and stated that the lawn company did the damage and outlined what owners needed to do. One member called/texted (not sure) with owner over why they hadn't taken care of reimbursing me. The owners basically stated that RPM made the decision and they had nothing to do with it. Bullcrap. I was also informed how there was a picture of the damage that was emailed to me. The owner (female who was living by us without introducing herself) came over to see "Danny" she walked around the house took a picture and went off that there was a rock hole. Ok lady, knock on the door ask me what happened. I mean we are an older couple we don't tear things up, we pay our bills, we are quiet and responsible. She apparently went crazy over this 2 inch hole. I am guessing she then started calling RPM and that is why I received over 73 calls or emails about this hole from RPM. Yeah Michelle I have all the screens shots of calls and email. I also have the records for from the management company and board that the owners knew we did not cause the damage and were to be held responsible for the damage because they couldn't hold the lawn company's last payment RPM is fine with renters paying for repairs they shouldn't. My husbands car was a total loss in this accident. We were scheduled to have a new car delivered in Sept 2017 and they would take the total car that was parked in the garage. Well, I was preparing the car to be towed that morning and guess what our garage door wouldn't open. Not with the button or with lifting it. I called to get repair as I had this big pick up/delivery of the car. I was told ok no problem so about an hour later I call for an update. I mean this car was being brought from Bethesda Maryland . I was working on a short time line. When I called to check where we stood I was told it hadn't been assigned and it would be a day before they knew for sure. WHAT? So, guess who called Academy Door for repair. ME! Guess what was wrong. The spring was broke and it had to be replaced. Another $300 plus fix I paid for. Let's continue the talk about the garage,. If it rained my garage door power just went off. It could take days to come on. When we were moving I had a 4K LG fridge stored (not powered because RPM couldn't get that through their head) and the power was off for 2 days. The first electrician they had was rude and nasty. He had a huge chip on his shoulder. Honestly, he called me and told me to live with it. So, I am living with a garage that doesn't work when it rains paying $2650.00 RPM did send another electrician out a few weeks before we moved. I explained what was happening. He said every time it trips it wears the GFI out. I told him I had asked the other electrician to change it and he said oh we have to dig up the drive way and find the leak Why wouldn't you do the easy repair and see if it worked? If it didn't work go to the crazy step of digging up the driveway. Just another incompetent vendor they pick. Let's talk about our AC. While my husband was recovering the AC wasn't working The AC vendor didn't check the thermostat just did some freon add and that was it. It still didn't work. I went back and forth with RPM I ended up getting a second opinion and guess what, I paid for it and the thermostat was broken. RPM did pay for the repair but it shouldn't take me arguing with them to get a fix. The AC in the house still isn't fix but at the end we stopped even calling RPM because they were so horrible to deal with. So, when the house went on the market they have a system to notify you of showings. Great. You could deny or accept. It was funny seeing the RPM rep showing the home. He stood there and did nothing. We saw other realtors come in and show the home in a proper way. They ended up having to lower the rent because lets be real that house isn't worth $2650.00 Just to show how unfriendly they are to renters they don't notify you when the house is rented. Wouldn't you think if you trouble us to show the home you'd allow us to know when it is rented. I also was asked to allow my house to be shown 8 am to 8 pm 7 days a week. You're kidding me right? Are you going to comp my rent? We ended up settling on 10 am to 6 pm 7 days a week. I really have nothing to say positive of RPM. For some reason I think I will be in court with them over my deposit. I had the inspection the day we moved and sent the paid water bill 5 days after. We supplied the receipts for the carpet cleaning and gutters. I am highly suspect that they are doing something to retaliate against me. You shouldn't be upset with anyone but yourself and the owners. The CSR, the vendors and the owners did a sub par job handling our issues. To think that not paying for a few repairs cost them a month of no rent, turn over the property, bad review. and lower rent rate. I am not the only person that thinks "Vanessa" can't do her job. The vendors and other workers think she useless too. Maybe instead of being a "petty betty" over my review look inward and see what you did wrong in this situation. This company is all smoke and mirrors. Look elsewhere. If a company can't keep renters happy they won't supply the needed renters for your property either. I expected nothing but human respect and got nothing but crapped on by this owner/and rental company. Save yourself the headache!!!!

We used RPM Direct for a period of five years. During that time we were told the property was in good condition but the tenants lived comfortably. We did not believe there was an issue based on RPM’s statements. Upon returning we received the final inspection report from RPM Direct which did not list any major issues. RPM Direct refunded almost all of the tenants deposit despite multiple damaged areas to include a ruined hard wood floor in the entry area as the tenants did not use an entrance rug. There were several other major issues that cost over a thousand dollars to remedy which were not mentioned in the final report. The worst part was RPM’s lack of responsiveness to our concerns once we had returned. They represented the tenant, not the property owner. Will never even consider using them again.

unknown

They are spectacular. They are very responsive and professional. They are also very willing to work collaboratively with the property owner to resolve issues.

The entire staff of RPM Direct was very knowledgeable in each step of the rental process. They have a great group of people that complement each of their experience and made us feel secure and confident of the decisions we made following their recommendations.

They are great communicators and serve my tenants well. I plan to continue using their services, and would recommend them to anyone who asks!

unknown

Michele is great at communication and taking over landlord's routine tasks, such as following up with potential tenants, processing applications, signing the lease, collecting payments, and attending court hearings.