I have serious concerns about the business practices of Winning Realty based on my recent experience as a tenant.
Since moving in last November, I have consistently paid my rent on time through an auto-pay setup using the AppFolio platform, with plenty of cash in my account for rent to be drawn. However, upon returning from an extended trip in late July, I was shocked to find an eviction notice in my mailbox and over $300 in fees charged to my account.
Upon reviewing my communications, I found only a generic text message sent on July 4--after the rent due date--inviting me to activate an online portal (which I had already been using for auto-pay). There was no indication that my rent had not been received, nor any urgency or clarity in any message. Similarly, the emails I received were standard reminders like "July Rent Due Soon" and "August Rent Due Soon," which are typical for tenants on auto-pay and did not suggest any problem.
At no point did I receive a direct phone call, voicemail, or clearly worded text message indicating a missed payment or the risk of eviction. This lack of clear, proactive communication is deeply troubling, especially given the severity of the action taken. I have a 20-year history of timely rent payments and have never before faced an eviction notice.
While I have since paid the full amount requested, the charges do not seem to me to be fair, and this experience raises serious concerns about how Winning Realty handles tenant communication and escalations. The decision to proceed with an eviction filing without clear, direct communication of the problem and consequence, especially over what appears to be a technical or administrative issue, suggests a disregard for reasonable tenant engagement and due process. Tenants should not be penalized or threatened with eviction due to vague communications or arbitrary system changes. read more