These guys are the worst of the worst. Their slogan, "Property Management Done Properly," couldn't…read morebe further from the truth.
In my experience, they serve as little more than a middleman for unscrupulous Columbia-area landlords who capitalize on college students and a perceived housing shortage. When we arrived to move our students into one of their rental properties this semester, the home was completely uninhabitable. There was mold on the walls, bags of trash left behind, and broken, filthy appliances throughout the house. The property was a hovel and looked as though it should have been condemned.
Bless his heart, Oh Billy Boy agreed to release the students from their lease. However, the company still retained the entire $2,000 security deposit, claiming that the property owner had been "damaged." Granted, the students signed the lease accepting the property "as is." I understand the legal argument, but considering the condition of the home, it's difficult not to wonder whether the previous tenants' security deposits met the same fate.
The property had reportedly been vacant for three months. During that time, could they not have used a portion of those funds to hire someone to remove the trash, clean the property, treat the mold, and apply a fresh coat of paint? Apparently not. Instead, they allowed the house to sit and deteriorate through the South Carolina summer heat and humidity.
As if that weren't enough, the home was littered with dead "palmetto bugs," a clear indication of a significant pest problem. For those unfamiliar with the term, "palmetto bug" don't be fooled. It is simply a Southern euphemism for the American cockroach.
In conclusion, we observed a troubling pattern that begins just weeks after students arrive for the fall semester. Many have barely finished moving in and started classes before they are confronted with a collectively reinforced sense of anxiety that they must immediately secure housing for the following academic year or risk having nowhere to live. This perceived urgency often causes students to panic and feel pressured into signing substandard leases.
Let me assure you, there is no shortage of available housing. In our case, we were able to find a suitable property just one week before the semester began. Students and parents should take the time to research their options carefully and avoid making rushed decisions based on fear or artificial pressure.
Therefore, If you're considering renting through Canty & Company, I would strongly encourage your children to consult with a parent and you to inspect any property thoroughly whether virtually or in person before signing a lease. Based on our experience, the condition of the rental we encountered fell far below any reasonable expectation of habitability or professional property management.