SLUMBLORDS!
I rented a property managed by HOM Properties in the Rochester, Minnesota area and want to share my experience to alert other potential tenants.
The original rental advertisement listed a specific monthly rent amount with no mention of additional responsibilities or fees. However, at the time of lease signing, I was informed that the tenant would be required to handle all landscaping duties for the property. If I declined to perform the landscaping myself, an additional $200 per month would be added to the rent. This condition was not disclosed in the listing or any prior communications, which I found to be misleading and a significant departure from the advertised terms.
During the tenancy, repair requests were frequently delayed or resolved inadequately, leaving issues unresolved or only partially fixed.
At the end of the lease, I thoroughly cleaned and restored the property to excellent condition, documenting the move-out state. Despite this, HOM Properties withheld my entire security deposit (equivalent to four months' rent) and assessed additional charges of $4,800. When I disputed the deductions, they threatened legal action if the amount was not paid, noting their ownership of over 200 properties in the area and suggesting they had substantial resources to prevail in court.
These practices--including undisclosed add-on fees for landscaping responsibilities, inconsistent maintenance, and aggressive deposit withholding--appear to place tenants at a disadvantage, especially those with limited financial resources.
I strongly advise anyone considering a rental from HOM Properties to:
* Insist on all terms, including any tenant maintenance responsibilities (such as landscaping) and associated fees, being clearly stated in writing before signing.
* Thoroughly document the property's condition with dated photos and videos at move-in and move-out.
* Be prepared for potential delays in repairs and challenges in recovering the security deposit.
Prospective tenants should exercise caution and consider exploring other management companies in the area. read more