Desert Wide Properties

I rented a house from Desert Wide years but figured I’d add to the stack of terrible reviews just to show that this is obviously not only a current problem but an ONGOING problem that will never be fixed.
The property we rented, luckily, didn’t have any issues. However, upon move out I read reviews about how some people were getting hit with charged as move out so we made an extra effort to make sure the property was in perfect condition when we left. We cleaned the carpets, re-​painted all the walls (even the pantry) and had a cleaning service clean the place just as a safeguard and the place looked so good when we left that I was sad to actually leave, but we were moving out of state.
I dropped the keys in a padded envelope in the mail and we left. Three weeks later I get a letter in the mail that not only are they keeping my $ 1,200 deposit but I OWE them money. Because it was dirty (!!! — an example was DUST on the counters. In Arizona. When they admitted to not going to the actual property for two weeks after we moved out. What a shock) and $ 50 for a mailbox key. The neighborhood had standard mailboxes. There WAS NO MAILBOX KEY.
So it seems they just automatically intend to keep the deposit and try their best to milk as much money out of you as possible. BBB didn’t do anything about the situation. They were worthless.
Best to just avoid at all costs.

I DO NOT recommend Desert Wide for renters OR homeowners! First we were given the lock box code to see a rental ALONE which is great for us, not so much if you are an owner. Also, after talking to the owner after moving in, they were charged almost $ 500 for «marketing» when we found the home on craigslist.
They do inspections every 6 months. After moving out, the place looked better than we got it and they tried charging us for things that were there at the move IN inspection. We are in dispute now and they are not being responsive for the copies of both inspections. Our manager, April Franklin, takes long to respond either by email OR phone and is very short and rude. The owner also expressed dislike for April due to the same issues. Our last person, Lori, was quite nice and responsive but over all we do NOT recommend Desert Wide.

I haven’t really had to deal with these people at all. I put in an application a week ago on a house my wife and I really would like to rent. The fee for both of us to do the application was $ 98. Not once has anybody from desert wide tried to get ahold of me I’ve been attempting to get ahold of this elusive Erica the whole time… I just feel like they made an easy 98 $ without doing anything

My husband & I were interested in a property that was just listed (around May 6^th) with Desert Wide Properties. I called the company on Saturday morning, May 7^th, to hear a message that said they were open on Saturday from 10 – 3. I tried to leave a message but it went into a loop. I tried to put in a name of two different agents, and both times again, it started with the beginning message. After a few calls, it was apparent they were not only not answering the phone, but it was impossible to leave a message. So that was the first red flag — a property management company that was impossible to reach on the weekend.
On Monday, May 9^th, I called to inquire about the property and spoke with Patrick. He didn’t sound friendly and was very abrupt with his answers, not offering any additional information. He said the property would be available on June 15^th, and it would be available to see on June 1^st, after the tenants moved out. Well… there have been many times where we were able to see a property when the tenants were in the process of moving out.
I asked how we could be the first to be considered, and he said to fill out an application online (without seeing the property first). He said that’s what most people do! He said then they send all the applications to the owner, who makes a decision. So… they are taking applications for $ 45 each from individuals who haven’t even seen the properties… Seriously? (another red flag.)
My husband & I thought the property would be perfect for us, and we would more than qualify for it… but unfortunately, we cannot take a chance on working with this property management company. And I don’t recommend Desert Wide Properties to anyone at this point.
By the way, there was a discussion with local real estate experts just this past Monday evening, May 9^th, at the AZREIA meeting in Phoenix, and it was emphasized to never take an application over the phone without the applicant seeing the property! FYI! (K&M)

I have used desertwide properties for over 10 years to manage my property. Desertwide is prompt, professional, and easy to do business with. I appreciate desertwide’s ability to quickly resolve issues. I have been very happy with their services.

If I could give 0 stars, I would! My husband (Realtor) and I attempted to see a rental property listed by Desert Wide on a Sunday. This home had incentives for a quick move in, which is what we needed. Yet nobody would answer their phones to give us a go ahead. Then on Monday we decided to apply for the home anyway, paid our $ 100 fee and waited for someone to get back to us. After several attempts to get an answer, we finally got contacted by Erica Cherry on Weds. morning to ask for our paycheck stubs. We sent them over right away. On Thursday morning my husband had to ask for an update again, to which she replied, «your app looks pretty solid, I dont see why the owner wouldn’t approve it». Again, we waited. By Friday afternoon, my husband sent her a message stating that if we didnt have an answer by the end of the business day (the day that we offered to take possesion of the home) we would have to move on. Needless to say, she reaponded 3 hours later with the decline. I dont understand why a decline took 5 business days. We have great credit and make more than enough money. If the home owner knew the quality of the agents representing his home, I think he would know where the problem is. Rentals are a dime a dozen, so that is not the point, however paying $ 100 for an application with a company with poor service and getting an unexplained decline after several days is frustrating!

These people never verified employment on a home rental!!! When asked to provide documentation of employment verification for a tenant they couldn’t come up with anything. The owner of the home was from out of state. He trusted this company for three years with his home. They helped the tenant decrease the rent each year when it was time to renew. On top of that, they knew the tenant was having money problems because he had late fees every single month (never paid to the owner of the property but to Desert Wide). Desert Wide never informed the owner of the property about the late issues. That seems like something that should come up when deciding whether or not to renew the lease and, especially in regard to lowering the rent. As the risk went up, the rent went down. That is not how it usually goes. Perhaps, they were trying to cover their own behavior. I guess that way the owner may never know that they did not even verify this guy’s income before handing over his home. Even though, per the contract, they were legally obligated to do it and keep those records. Amazing. I would not trust these people with my dog, let alone hundreds of thousands of dollars.

(I apologize for the length of this review)
We rented a house from Desert Wide for 3 years. The only problem we had during the tenancy was that when we needed something repaired, they would contact the vendor to have them contact me (refused to tell me who the vendor was), but then the vendor would never call me. Then one of 2 things would happen: 1. I would end up with a nasty message or an email from Desert Wide telling me that I need to return the vendor’s messages (that I never got) or 2. I would have to contact Desert Wide so they could follow up with the vendor and get them to call me. Any communication with them was very confusing. They are very disorganized and have a high turnover rate. The multiple times we got a new property manager, we wouldn’t be notified… we’d find out when I sent them an email and it bounced back to me, so I’d call and get the contact info for our new manager who had no idea what was going on. Not a good way to run a business.
The real problems with Desert Wide occurred after we moved out. We left the home immaculate… in better condition than we received it (as evident by the comparison of move –in to move-​out inspections). There was no damage, but 14 days after we moved out (had the move-​out inspection), they sent us a letter falsifying claims of damages that were not there during the move out inspection and withheld some of our deposit. We sent a certified letter disputing the items and gave them 12 days to return the remainder of our deposit.
Well, day 12 came and went with no word from them. I finally decided to email them and got a response. Since then we have been fighting them on the issue of a broken wooden blind ($ 150). It was «chipped» according to the move-​in inspection and «good» on the move-​out inspection, but they are trying to charge us for it. I have emailed the picture we took during the inspection proving it was not broken. They sent us a picture taken after the inspection showing it was broken. So even though it wasn’t broken during the inspection and wasn’t listed as broken on the move-​out inspection form, they are trying to keep our money for that damage. Legally we are not liable for damage that occurs after we surrender the property to them, but they are still charging us for it. Renters beware! Even if you have photographic evidence that there is no damage, they will lie and keep your money!
They are an unethical and dishonest company.

A

Absolutely terrible service. As a property owner who used their services for 10 years, I can honestly say that they provide zero value-​add in looking after your property. If you are looking for a property manager for your home, I highly recommend looking elsewhere.

So its a month later, and let me tell you how I am being screwed, The owner and desert wide could not charge us for the replacement of the carpet, mind you we lived there 6 years. So they now want an addition $ 1200 for damages to the carpet. I think this is insane, since we paid a move out cleaner and a carpet cleaner. why have us clean the carpet if you will replace it? before choosing «your cleaning service» why not let us help pick. we had a cat, that got sick and I was up front and honest with the owner about the stains, and next thing I knew they needed a URINE SPECIALIST that stated it was 1600 to clean it… seriously? seriously??? DWP is a scam. I am so happy I am not a renter any more. Its not worth the headache and the raping they do to you for costs. I would love to fight it, but talking to the representatives there is just pointless. I am pretty annoyed, because what is the point of a pet deposit if it does jack for you… DWP=BS

If I could give these clowns zero stars I would, I wouldn’t rent a dog house from them let alone a property. Had a 12 month lease with these guys and it was the ABSOLUTE worst experience ever. Moved into a unclean home that I had to clean myself and had then drag their feet on every repair call made, in the end they found every reason under the sun to keep my deposit even though the unit was left in better condition than what I moved into. I hope anyone looking into possibly moving into one of their properties sees these reviews (including the hidden ones too) and runs the other way. I wouldn’t wish these folks on my worst enemy.
I see one of their employees posted a glowing review lol, too funny

We rented from desert wide for 3 years. We were worried at first from all of the horrible reviews all over the web and such. Our experience with their company was exceptional. Any time we needed a repair it was always fixed in a timely manner. Upon moving we followed their move out checklist and received our deposit back. My wife and I thought for sure we would not from all the other reviews we read. We just used the golden rule. We wanted to leave the house in the condition we would have liked it in if we were the ones moving in. We would recommend desert wide to anyone.

Communication is very important when dealing with clients. My experience as a secondary client (co-​occupant) was very sad. I had called in a residence problem requiring Maintance. Never once did I get a call back, but received emails that really did not address the issue. Three days later a maintenance professional came out to fix the problem.
Now I get a negative email saying in effect I cannot address Maintance issues on the property anymore. I’m going in personally to address this issue. My good intentions was and is the integrity of the property and to report potential serious problems to the Management Co. They in turn were worried about their issues with my concerns.

These clowns are horrible. We moved from out of town into a property they were managing. We made a special trip to their office prior to the move to finalize everything. We are a younger couple and when costs were discussed we were made to feel as if we were getting in a little over our heads (and were are not talking about anything too extravagant, it was some dinky condo). Is that the worst thing, no, not at all, I’m not a super sensitive person but it should have thrown up a red flag because the overall unprofessionalism I would soon be subject to, was insane.
To make a very long and painful story short, the place was not cleaned when we arrived, Uhaul and all. They told us to clean it ourselves and they would credit $ 100. So we had to, after a long trip, disinfect this place before we could move our stuff and it was the middle of summer. Dishwasher broke, hot water heater broke, fridge broke, AC unit broke, carpets were horrible and they refused to clean them, even after our poor little daughter had a infection we suspect was caused by the nasty carpets.
Calling the office and talking with anyone was beyond dreadful because they were all very defensive, to suggest they had to deal with a lot of un-​happy customers all the time due to desert wides’ incompetence. Example: When my daughter contracted not one, but two infection’s, I called into express my concerns about the carpet and the fool of a lady on the end said «you could never prove it was a result of the carpet». Actually, I’m sure I could but that is besides the point, imbecile.
First chance we got, we were out of there and getting our full deposit back was impossible, even though the place was left is a much better condition than how it was found.
Desert wide, you suck like really bad.

Hired a new company and our place was rented in 48 hrs and for $ 150 more than what this place said we would get. We even had several tenants to pick from at a more appropriate price. I suggest you go elsewhere if you are a property owner.

DO NOT RENT FROM DESERT WIDE PROPERTIES!!! I CANNOT STRESS THIS ENOUGH!!! I WISH I COULD GIVE THEM ZERO STARS! We are going through a REALLY ROUGH TIME GETTING BACK OUR DEPOSIT FROM THEM! All of the horrible reviews you read here, on Google, & on the Better Business Bureau website, ARE ABSOLUTELY CORRECT!!! This company is BY FAR the worst company I have EVER had to deal with. The employees are RUDE, UNCOOPERATIVE & UNWILLING TO HELP. THE ONLY THING THEY ARE GOOD AT IS GETTING ON YOUR BAD SIDE & STEALING YOUR MONEY!
We finished our lease on Feb. 11, 2014. We received our letter & move-​out inspection from them about a month later. Of course, they are trying to keep OVER HALF OF IT. For things that were already broken within the home & that I made note of on our move-​in inspection form. Now we had a slightly different case with DWP. WE NEVER RECEIVED A MOVE-​IN INSPECTION FORM FROM THE DESERT WIDE. I filled one out myself after walking through the home upon move-​in. Now they are trying to charge us $ 165 FOR A BROKEN DOOR, $ 13 FOR A MISSING SCREW IN THE CLOSET, & $ 37 FOR 2 MISSING BLIND SLATS!!! WTF?! SERIOUSLY? I think we have gotten screwed PLENTY from them.
A month after we moved in our neighbors water heater burst. This flooded our apartment. It took them DAYS to get to this. I had to miss 2 unpaid days of work to help keep our home from being a complete disaster. This means running the dryer nonstop to dry towels that were used to soak up the water seeping through the wall & floor. I sent Alisha a letter along with pictures of the damage & a letter from my boss in regards to this asking for a reimbursement or at least some money taken off our rent since we hadn’t even been there a month. NO RESPONSE OR ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF THE LETTER. Now when I ask them about it, THERES NOTHING ON FILE. Good thing I still have copies of all of this.
Then a month later our washing machine went out. This took over 2 weeks to get repaired. After the multiple emails I sent, I was told that it was basically my fault because the repairman said it was hard to reach me. WHICH WAS UNTRUE. I HAD TO WORK THE DAY HE WANTED TO COME! WANT ME TO MISS MORE UNPAID DAYS OF WORK? Elizabeth, the head of maintenance issues, is extremely rude on the phone and in her emails. I have had to talk to her multiple times on the phone regarding other issues, like the swimming pool pump started leaking outside our door & was flooding the surrounding area. SHE DIDN’T CARE. So rude! I was just trying to be a good citizen and call in a report to get this repaired. Who pays for things like that? The homeowner? The community? ME?
3 months went by & now it was time for our 3 month inspection from inspector. When he arrived, he asked for the move-​in inspection form from DWP. WELP, YOU KNOW WHAT? I NEVER GOT ONE. He said that there NEVER WAS A MOVE-​IN WALK THRU PREFORMED ON THIS UNIT!!! AND THATS WHY WE NEVER RECEIVED ONE. HMMM… NO WONDER EVERYTHING IS GOING WRONG. Good thing I filled one out to give him. He said we should have NEVER been able to move into this home.
WAY TO GO DWP.
There were other issues like no screens on the windows, our master bedroom door had been torn off the hinges & broken to the point of no fixing without replacing the door (FOR WE TRIED TO REATTACH IT-​MY BOYFRIEND UP-​KEPT THIS PLACE FIXING WHATEVER NEEDED TO BE FIXED SO WE DIDN’T HAVE TO DEAL WITH THESE UNHELPFUL, RUDE PEOPLE.)
When the men came to replace the screens, they happened to break our blinds. Since we never wanted to call them or deal with DWP, we let that go. Now we are being charged $ 40 for 2 missing slats. And a missing screw in the closet. OMG. If we would have known there was a screw missing we would have replaced that ourselves. Are you serious? Anything to get our money.
Okay, so now that I am done ranting about our problems with DWP, I must say that we are pursuing investigations through the Better Business Bureau & through 3 On Your Side News. I have sent the BBB a package including all emails, billings, letters, walk-​thru inspections & anything else I can find on these jerks. I also disputed our refund with DWP & sent them our walk-​thru inspection that clearly states everything that was wrong with the home, including a paper in our lease that Alisha wrote, «WILL SEND WALK-​THRU INSPECTION VIA EMAIL.» WE NEVER GOT THAT ALISHA. OH and another thing, Alisha doesn’t even work there anymore. Now we deal with a girl named April, who laughed at my boyfriend over the phone when he called her about a noise complaint from our crappy neighbors. How rude and disrespectful. Where did she learn her customer service techniques?
She responded to our dispute giving us a refund for the broken door but stated all other charges stand. This is not over DWP.
DO NOT RENT FROM DESERT WIDE PROPERTIES! YOU WILL GO THROUGH HELL!

RUN as far from this company as you can, don’t even try, they certainly won’t…
I have NEVER had such a horrendous, disappointing, frustrating, disgusting, rude, and unethical experience in my LIFE.
Read all the reviews… they are true and I can speak them after being a NEW customer to this company.
SOMEBODY kick me in the ASS for not doing my homework on them.
Lord help me with this one year lease :(
Once you sign the paperwork, its all DOWNHILL from there.
Negative stars needed.

I wish I had the ability to give this business no stars. The absolute worst company I have ever dealt with. I can’t express my disappointment enough words that can accurately discard our experiences with this company.
We have been used with desert wife for 2 years or so, and each time we email, call, or walk-​in they have a new employees. Most of these employees are RUDE and lack basic customer service.
I’ll sum this up with: if you want to have the worst experiences sign on to have this «property management company.» Smdh

I was a homeowner that hired Desert Wide Properties to manage our rental in South Tempe and not only were they usually inattentive to my inquiries about our property status and the current renters, but the office staff was routinely rude to me.
Uh…I’M profit, YOU’RE overhead, better get that straight right away, DWP.
But it doesn’t matter because when I told my husband how snotty they were being to me he fired them and we stitched the management to Mosaic instead. Never had a problem after that! ;)
Moral of this story? Better teach your employees to watch their snotty mouths when dealing with customers; both the tenants AND the owners.