I honestly don't know where to begin when it comes to my experience with FirstKey Homes as a whole, but I'll do my best to be as detailed as possible.
To start, while I have no issue with individuals from different cultural backgrounds, the language barrier with several customer service agents made it very difficult to communicate effectively. In mid-October, a pipe burst underneath the kitchen sink, causing water to flood the kitchen. I called customer service immediately, and while water continued pouring out, the representative kept calmly repeating the same question -- "Do you know where the main cut-off valve is?" It took me 23 minutes to locate and shut off the valve myself.
I was told someone would be dispatched to assess and repair the damage. That never happened. A week later, I followed up, only to be informed that FirstKey was still searching for a contractor. It took another two weeks before anything moved forward. By this time, it was a week before Thanksgiving, and again, I had received no updates. I eventually had to contact Gwinnett County Code Enforcement to report the lack of response, especially because the smell of mold had become overwhelming, and the carpet remained damp from the water damage weeks prior.
After what had been my ninth call regarding this same issue, ((magically a contractor was found) nevertheless the kitchen cabinets were finally removed, and a restoration team came out to address the mold that had formed within the cabinet wood.
As my lease came to an end, I wrote an email clearly stating the date I would be vacating the property. Despite this, prospective tenants came by to view the home at 8:02 PM, while my daughters and I were still inside. This was a complete disregard for our privacy and created an uncomfortable and inappropriate situation.
On move-out day, I was informed that I would not receive my full deposit back due to what was claimed as damage beyond normal wear and tear. However, I had the floors professionally cleaned, the bathrooms thoroughly sanitized, and the lawn properly maintained before leaving.
I strongly urge anyone renting from this company to document everything -- take photos, keep detailed records, save receipts, and log call times and dates. The lack of communication and urgency from FirstKey Homes is deeply concerning and unprofessional.
For what it's worth, I want to acknowledge that Raj, the maintenance worker assigned to my area, was always kind, responsive, and empathetic during service calls. I genuinely appreciated his professionalism.
As of today, I'm still waiting on a return call from a manager -- even though I've already moved out of the property. read more