The Sunset Group

I have seen a lot of negative reviews about this realty group, so I was unsure of whether or not I was willing to give them a chance. They somehow manage to reel in a lot of the rental properties in the Beaverton area, but can’t figure out how to appropriately list and delist their properties in a timely manner. Each time I have inquired about a property they had listed they responded that it was taken. Beside the fact that they can’t properly list the properties they have, they also avoid the opportunity to suggest anything that they actually DO have available and miss a potential sale. This just seems like poor professionalism to me.

Very unprofessional. I looked at renting a property from this company and every step of the process was poorly done. I was CONSISTENTLY reminded my income was insufficient and verbally belittled by the representative Julie. The woman who showed me the property, apparently has nothing more to do with the property other than showing it, showed up late and called me last minute to cancel. When she did show up, she told me a number of things that were untrue. Saying my income could be a few hundred dollars off and my history and credit was so good that it didn’t matter… etc. Julie then told me later the other woman had no right to tell me any of that and I should of known that. These people are plain rude. From the receptionist when you call, to the tank top wearing woman who showed me the house, to the uppity agent Julie. I spoke with Ernie once and he seemed so overwhelmed when I spoke to him that he didn’t seem to even know what was going on. I wonder how they are when stuff in their homes is broken and in need of repair?

Out of my personal experience, I am making this aware to every real estate investor in Portland — DO NOT HIRE SUNSET PROPERTY MANAGEMENT. The Principal broker of the firm — Ernest Coufal — has the least amount of work ethics, zero degree of basic courtesy and professionalism. He is capable of making a little thing as simple as transferring a property’s keys unbelievably impossible. He is one of the most emotional and irritative persons I’ve ever met.

This company isn’t even worth my time writing a bad review! They aren’t even worth one star! They are unprofessional and unresponsive — I second every one of these bad reviews that have come before mine. It was obvious (when I called and emailed) that they know they are horrible, because they were immediately defensive and wouldn’t even listen to my complaints. Life is too short… go somewhere else to find a home!!!

If I could give no stars I would. Horrible customer service we had to deal with Ann she’s not on top of anything and really doesn’t seem to care. Our lease was ending and she contacted me via email asking if we wouldn’t mind moving out a few days before outer lease actually ends, and that for the days we left she would refund us for rent. So we did we moved out two days early the day we dropped off the key of the house I sent her a email letting her know that the house was clean and we were taking the keys she then emailed me and said «the new tenants decided to not move in early so I cannot refund you .» I was pissed how can you just change your mind like that, besides that there was lots of other little problems that I can’t go in to, I contacted her manager Ernie who is very rude and told me he doubts that Ann asked us to move out early !? Seriously I have email proof and will now be taking them to court, they are horrible to work with stay clear

Do not have anything to do with this business. Sandy doesnt return calls, text or e-​mails in a timely manner. House was dirty when we went to move in. mold in fridge and bathroom. trash piled in front of house. I was told by sandy to take care of it myself. we had a full septic tank that wasnt even looked at for 3 months. raw sewage coming up in bathtub. could not use toilet. and was told by sandy she cant do anything about it because homeowners on vacation and her hands are tied. I told her she is suppose to be looking out for us not just owners. our contract is with sunset. I can go on and on on all the terrible things that we went thru with this lovely company. really think about if you want to do business with this kind of company.

If you are a home owner and considering using a property management company, do not look to The Sunset Group for help. My wife and I used them for almost two years and they were terrible!
In summary, The Sunset Group:
Could not manage to keep the rental listing up on their website or on Craigslist and it took two months of their inaction to find a renter before we did some networking and found renters on our own.
Failed to record the condition of our house at the time the tenants moved in, making it impossible to compare the condition of the house when the tenants moved out.
Would not provide a copy of the signed lease agreement, even after multiple requests.
Were unresponsive to us and to the tenants, forcing the tenants to contact us directly when something at the house needed to be addressed.
Neglected to collect a pet deposit when the tenants got a new dog.
Failed to notify us that the tenants had submitted their 30 day notice and were breaking the lease agreement.
Allowed the tenants to use the security deposit to cover their rent.
Neglected to properly inspect our home when they checked the tenants out, (because they failed to complete a condition report when the tenants moved in) leaving us with a dirty house and a very long list of damaged items including damaged drywall, items drilled into the walls without permission, floor and ceiling damage caused by a leaking toilet fill tube, chipped quartz countertop, stolen ceramic pots and a cooktop that was installed new when the tenants moved in and had to be replaced to the tune of $ 1,500.
They did not advocate for us as our client and were unwilling to help us collect damages even after they made the mistake of giving the security deposit to the tenants in the form of rent.
(I am using the name of Sunset Group generically in my rant, rather than the property managers name to respect her right to privacy and because it was her boss that let us down as well.)

We are on our second house renting through The Sunset Group. After the owners of the other house we were renting (for less than a year) wanted their house back all of a sudden, giving us a 60 day notice (ended up being more like 70 days since they gave it to us before the 60 days), Ann Miller was very helpful in helping us find another house to rent within our perimeters in the same area through Sunset and within the time period, alleviating our stress tremendously! She was very attentive to our emails and answering our questions. I do not think I would have gotten through this sanely without Ann’s and The Sunset Group’s help. Now we are in our latest house (which is a temporary home until we buy) and couldn’t be happier with the outcome of the transition from the last house to this one.

I don’t typically write reviews but my experience was so bad that I have to warn people about this terrible company.
1 — I left several messages and emails for the listing agent (Ann) on a home we wanted to rent. No response. Ever. Come to find out she’s on vacation and someone else is handling her cases. (It’s called an out of office message, figure it out so you don’t have renters calling multiple people to get information on your homes.)
2 — After finding out who is working Ann’s cases while she’s out (Lisa) I proceed to call her. Apparently, I was bothering her by trying to rent a house from her company because her words to me were «What do you want to see it or something?». No, I just like to call and chat with rental agents who are as pleasant as you. Lisa can’t be bothered to show homes so I’m given yet another name.
3 — At this point I’ve wasted most of my day just trying to see this home but I call the third woman (Barbara) to set up a time to meet or to even get additional photos of the place. I ask for photos first, as the website has none. She tells me to go to the website, I’ve told her twice they aren’t there. Finally, she figures out they removed them and emails me pictures. Gorgeous house, we’re interested, let’s meet to see it in person. We arrive and meet Barbara, walk in, the photos aren’t even of the same house. Lie number one. It was nice enough so we proceed with an application on the basis that ALL other apps had been rejected (Lie number two) and we were first in line (Lie número tres!). In fact, she went on to say, «apply right now, get online and apply, I see no reason you won’t get this house.» After going through the application process, providing more information than what I did when I purchased a home, (Seriously, my savings accounts, stock trading accounts, etc. while I have an excellent credit score, owned a home for years, solid job/​income and have no criminal history I’m treated as if I may need to give them my first born just to rent a house) I’m told my app was going back to Ann (wasn’t she on vacation?) and that she would contact the owners. Okay, it’s now a waiting game. Five hours later I receive an email from Barbara, who says «We are sorry, the owner went with a prior applicant who was rejected and I 100% didn’t know there was another application». So, you’re saying you reject people and then call them back and say Okay, nevermind, we’ll take you? Also, Isn’t it your job to know that information?
No response to my final email regarding my application fee considering the several items of material misrepresentation due to someone’s incompetence. I’ll be disputing the charge with my credit card company.
Moral of the story: Stay away. If you see they have 1 star there’s obviously a reason.
Rant over.

After renting in the Portland market for the last 7 + years I can say without a doubt that this is the most unprofessional group I have ever worked with. After two year without missing a beat we decided to end out tenancy with them. They never responded to anything we ever asked about in the previous two years. When we gave them notice the agent in charge of our property made sure the next 30 days were a living hell. Showings at odd hours, ridiculous requests, then when the requested we completed threats or additional charges and complaints about how their requests were completed issued. (All repair requests and they were minor and completed by licensed and insured professionals). The agent even tried to derail our new home purchase. Thank goodness we had zero stipulations and need 0 documents needed to close.
The agent while showing the property to prospective renters made off had and discriminatory remarks to me about her new prospective customers. I was disgusted to even be in the house while she was showing it. it made me feel dirty. Our movers even told me that they were taken back by what she said. (they were moving us out when she was there one time)
We read reviews about this company before we rented and knowing what I know now I wish I would have headed their warnings.
To prospective renters. They will do everything in their power to screw you. I will be filing additional complaints with the AG over the threats they made and following up with our lawyer
If you do decide to rent from them document, document, document and make sure you are present for every little thing they want. Send letters and e-​mails so you have double verification of everything. Prepare yourself for the most frustrating rental experience you have ever had.
As you can see from the other reviews this is not just one upset person. This is how they operate, good luck and happy renting.

I had a similar experience to a number of reviewers in that they were fine when we were signing up, but now that I’m moving out they have been terrible to work with. Ann is unprofessional, and has no clue how to do her job let alone what the laws are regarding her work. It’s been one stressful situation after another where Ann is trying to get money out of us, and continues to ignore agreements. I would suggest you try to avoid this property management company unless you have an attorney on retainer, or just like getting screwed.

I’m going to add to the AWFUL reviews of this Property management group. So we haven’t even used them yet and after a few frustrating experiences, I thought I would come here and look at the reviews.
Wow! These guys suck! So last week we found an house on craigslist they we liked A LOT we called them up to which they promptly said that someone had applied and was «accepted» I guess that means that the house was now not available correct? If that is the case then take the damn ad off the web! It has been showing the last week on Craiglist and on their website.
I have emailed quite a bit and my DH has called them only to go to voicemail. They have an office full of people so why aren’t they answering the phones? I’m not calling them anymore. Too bad they have some of the nicer homes listed. Glad I checked here. Won’t be calling them back or doing ANY business with them. How they stay in business is beyond me.

As a homeowner paying $ 100/​mo management fee, I got nothing but headaches: nothing is fixed up to code, no communication, and not to mention they refuses to own up to their mistakes! I had been trying to get them to replace the front door to the one that I picked & was approved by HOA, they have the nerve to tell me it was better than the one I picked! I will NOT recommend them to anyone even they are the last agency on earth!

You know I’ve tried to give these guys the benefit of the doubt over the two years we’ve rented our house, because we love the house. We switched agents about a year ago — slight swing upwards, but not by munch.
The few repairs we’ve asked for have been like pulling teeth. We’ve put in a lot of effort into the house — but can’t wait to try and get our deposit back — sounds like that might be a nightmare.
We’re looking forward to moving in a few months and being done with these guys for good.
Look elsewhere folks, look elsewhere.

Even after 9 months I am still disgusted by my experience with The Sunset Group. The move-​out process was frustrating and we were charged for quite a few issues that were not the responsibility of any tenant.
Communication was less than desirable and I had to be persistent with email and phone calls to receive a response. It seems as though some of my emails were ‘never received’.
It is such a shame to have such a negative experience in such a wonderful town.

We leased a house in Cedar Hills for two years through the Sunset Group. Through a set of seemingly intentional communication «gaffs» and some slightly disingenuous practices, our experience which could have been perfectly mediocre turned downright negative.
For two years, we always paid in advance and on-​time…$ 2200 per month. The previous occupants even left the place a mess before we moved in, so we got a $ 200 credit – ok, that’s decent. We didn’t call for maintenance very often, but when we did, there was often some sort of «mix up» or «confusion» which the office confessed.
A couple months before moving out, our leasing agent did a routine walk-​through inspection. We specifically asked her to point out any issues so we could be sure to rectify them before receiving a surprise deduction from our deposit return. Predictably, we were all aces with no issues.
Just as predictably, when our deposit refund check came after we had moved away, several hundred dollars were deducted for various items. We were assessed for junk left by the previous occupants which we were basically warehousing in the garage. Apparently the yard was not in perfect shape 1 month after we had moved out (because we were not there to mow it). And the best part… we were charged for a lightbulb that had apparently burned out in a hallway. Seriously?
I certainly got the feeling that nitpicking on move-​out inspection was an expected form of additional income for Sunset.
The rental market is hot in Portland now and you can certainly afford to look elsewhere for a leasing company.

This is the worst company to rent from. I have lived under slumlords before but they give the term a whole new meaning. The property manager is totally fake, does not return calls, and does not follow through on anything. The house is a fire hazard and has completely illegal installations, requests are ignored for corrections. If you rent from The Sunset Group expect to live in a slum and be ripped off with rent and your deposit.

I saw an awful review of The Sunset Group from the perspective of the homeowner, and I had to speak up and say I had exactly the same experience as the tenant.
Our horrible experience with The Sunset Group started when we moved in and found a laundry list of things wrong with the house that would make any normal property management group feel ashamed. I’m talking like a non-​functioning toilet with urine in it. Missing keys, non functioning appliances, burnt out lightbulbs everywhere, garbage all over the garage. it was obvious that nobody who cared had been through the house prior to our move-​in.
Our Sunset Group property manager couldn’t have been less responsive about these issues or any of the issues that followed. We had a pest problem that we had to bother her every day for weeks before she sent an exterminator. Every time we had a problem, it took at least 3 or 4 calls/​emails to get any sort of response and then at least as many again before the issue was resolved.
The most memorable part of our stay was going a month without a working stove. The ancient unit in the house kicked the bucket a few weeks after we moved in and The Sunset Group could not have dragged their feet any more in helping us with this huuuuge inconvenience. Not only was there no apology, but the reasons we were given for the delay were hugely unprofessional. «Oh, haha, yeah, I’m forgetful, you have to keep reminding me of things.» «Well, a stove is a big expense you know.» WTF? Around week two of living on microwave meals and fast food, we reached out to the owner of The Sunset Group, hoping she would help. Never heard a single word out of her.
Wasn’t going to bother writing this review, but our security deposit was the last straw. We worked our butts off and made sure to schedule a walkthrough of the house with our property manager so she could agree it was spotless and we were due our entire security deposit. «Thanks so much for your hard work guys,» she said, «I’ll make sure you get your security deposit in no more than two weeks.» Did we have our check in two weeks? Of course not. It arrived on the 31^st day, the last day they could legally return our money to us without getting taken to court for damages.
Looking to rent a house? Skip anything listed by The Sunset Group. If you choose to rent from them anyway, pray you never need them to do anything for you other than collecting your rent checks.
Thankfully, The Sunset Group will be our last landlords. Hello home-​ownership, and good riddance Sunset Group!

As homeowners leasing out a house for the first time, we hired Sunset Group because we were weren’t sure we were equipped to handle the forms and legalities. After three years with Sunset Group, I wish we’d gone it alone or researched other companies more thoroughly.
Our Sunset rep rarely returned our calls. On the occasions that we wanted to reach her, once every few months or so, we almost always had to track her down through numerous, repeated emails and calls to both her and her supervisor over a period of several days. When we finally did reach her, she talked our ears off, never answered a straight question, and was nosy about our personal business. Nearly all our monthly logs and yearly tax forms were mailed late. She hired her friends and family members to handle repairs, then authorized them to do things we hadn’t approved; in one instance, they bungled the job in such a way that it later cost us much more to fix what they’d made worse.
If you are a property owner looking for a property manager, I highly recommend going with someone other than Sunset Group.

Out of five that I’ve worked with, Sunset Group Inc is the worst rental property management. They will screw you during the rental process and screw you even more when you move out. Pretend you never made a deposit because they will try to take it all by charging you for petty things.