Brief Review of Forward Management Pittsburgh After 7 Years

TL;DR (too long; didn't read): Is Forward Management a bad landlord? Yes, probably. But not so bad that it kept me from choosing to move into a second property with them. It's really a lot based on luck: how many disastrous maintenance requests do you think this unit will launch at you, and can you handle a non-responsive maintenance service? For me, the excellent price, location, square footage, hardwood floors, and windows were worth it. You need to make that decision for yourself.

Otherwise, if you want a good landlord in Pittsburgh, live in a smaller place or pay an extra $200/month. If you're stuck with a Forward (or Lobos) Management price range, then find an independent landlord instead of a management company. No other options? Then you're just going to have to suck it up. Sacrifices must be made, whether it's on price, location, or the stress of you calling Forward Management every month for three years to fix a bathroom ceiling leak.

Moved Out of 5855 Alderson

We've moved out of 5855 Alderson, to a new state!

Forward Management Resident Referral Program

I'm enjoying this resident referral promotion program (see letter below) that Forward Management is running for the toughest new-lease months (i.e., autumn & winter). Especially since, in my quest to not pay 40% lease extension fees I was able to find three sets of people to move into Forward Management units August-November. Doing this through craigslist was somewhat annoying, I probably showed the apartment to at least 6 sets of people. But it worked! And most of the reason why it worked is: (1) the apartments are cheap, (2) potential tenants can get an honest view of the landlord and noise-levels they're signing for, and (3) our apartment is decorated in a very welcoming style.

"Forward Management
5440 5th Avenue Management Office 63
Pittsburgh, PA 15232 Office: (412) 254-2424 Fax: (412) 885-9599

September 25, 2015
Dear Resident(s),

We would like to take this time to thank you for your continued residency with us.

We are introducing a new Resident Referral Program which allows you to earn rental credits for each qualified person you refer. The credit is available after they've occupied for 60 days.

1st Referral - $50.00
2nd Referral - $75.00
3rd Referral - $100.00

After your 3rd referral, you would start over again at a $50.00 credit.

This program is available now through April 30, 2016 only so don't miss out on this great opportunity to earn unlimited rental credits!

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us directly via phone or email:

(412) 254-2424
info@forwardmanagementpgh.com

We look forward to assisting you with this and other resident programs in the future.

Sincerely,
Forward Management"

Forward Management: The Good

I would like to dedicate a post to a grouping of the nice things about Forward Management. Mostly, the Pittsburgh account manager (Tina) has been incredibly flexible and understanding through our rather complex moving situation. I've included some snippets of email conversations and through all of it, Tina was exceedingly helpful and polite.

Not everything is awful ;)

The highlights are below:

1. Forward Management allowed us to essentially do a short-term lease and extend our stay from August 1 to November 1. Yes, it was expensive (about 40% of our rent, added). But it was possible and necessary.
2. If I successfully found someone to take over my lease in November, Forward Management would reimburse me for 50% of my short-term lease fees. I actually ended up finding three different parties who moved into Forward Management apartments August-November (which the resident referral program was likely a response to)
3. We were allowed to cut short our short-term lease from November to October, since we found someone to take over the apartment October 15. We did not need to pay October rent.
4. Forward Management allowed us to sell most of our furniture to the incoming tenants and we did not lose any of our security deposits for that tomfoolery.

---

Email Exchange

Me, to Forward Management 5/28/15: Anyways, I know it's likely not possible, but I figured I'd ask - is there anyway our lease can be extended August - October? There's been a slight/inconvenient change in my degree program, and I just figured I'd ask to see if it was possible to stay in our a apartment, or even take over someone's lease and move into a nearby one for a short period. Thanks again!

Forward Management to me 5/29/15: I have spoken to my manager. He said that since it's much harder for us to re-rent an apt for that time, we have to charge a much higher short term fee. [1] So, for Aug, Sept and Oct extension, it would be $400/mo extra. I know it's very high but that apt may sit empty for several months depending on whether or not we can find anyone to move in the Fall or Winter. Our leasing season slows down completely as of mid Sept, early Oct. If you happen to know anyone who may be able to sign a lease for the apt in November, he may be willing to reduce the short term fee. Let me know what you decide. thanks,

Me to Forward Management 7/30/15: I think I have two different couples who might be interested in my apartment for November 1. I already paid the $400 fee for the lease extension for August, but if getting a new/replacement tenant to move in November 1 can reduce or otherwise eliminate the extension fee for September and October, I'd be really grateful.

Forward Management to me: As for your questions, here are the answers: Your full lease extension fees would be paid each month. [2] We will issue HALF of all extension fees paid with your deposit 30 days after your lease ends. This is obviously upon approval of a new person(s) and their taking possession as of 11/1/2015.

Forward Management to me 9/4/15: I got [new tenant's] app but waiting on a few bits of info. They mentioned to me that they want to move in around 10/15. Are you able to vacate sooner? Did she mention this to you at all? Keep me posted. thanks!

Me to Forward Management: Yes, [new tenant] mentioned this to us. We're planning/hoping to move out by October 1, like on September 30. Things went better than expected...and so our move-out date became considerably more flexible. There's a decent number of people looking for October leases, it seems [New tenant] has also stated an interest in purchasing much/most of our furniture, so we were planning on cleaning, but leaving a considerable amount of furniture behind. If [new tenant]'s application is approved, do we still need to pay October rent+extension fees? Thank you so much,

Forward Management to me: [3] No, if [new tenant]'s approved you don't have to pay any additional rents. [4] Let me know what is being left behind so I can make sure maintenance doesn't get rid of anything by mistake when they do the turnover for her to move in. Thanks for being so helpful in finding something. It's much appreciated. Have a good weekend.

Forward Management Maintenance Request: Oven Pilot Light

'Called in a maintenance request for the oven pilot light. I attempted to reignite it, but it just wouldn't. Maybe it's all gooped up?

8/31/15 @11am - Still not fixed. Submitted a maintenance request through the website.

9/7/15 - No maintenance visit from Forward Management (after 1.5 weeks of waiting). 'Was finally able to get roommate to re-ignite oven pilot light, on our own.

Forward Management Delinquent on Gas Bill

"Warning: The Peoples Gas service to **** Alderson St, Pittsburgh, PA 15217-2459 may be shut off on or after Friday, July 31, 2015 because the Peoples Gas bill has not beed paid. To stop the shut off of your utility service you must do one of the following:

1. You can join with other tenants to pay the Peoples Natural Gas bill for the last 30 days precedigng this notice or you can pay the total bill yourself. Either way, you do not have to pay a deposit or get credit granted in your name. You will not have to pay your landlord's other debts or the debts of prior tenants. The utility service will remain in the name of the lanlord.

2. You may deduct your payment for Peoples Natural Gas from your rent due now or from future rent. We will tell your landlord how much you paid for that utility service.

Additional Information
..."

Someone in the Forward Management Pittsburgh building not disposing of their trash properly

"Attention Residents of 5855 Alderson Street

It has been reported several times that someone in this building is leaving full bgs of trash in the main hallway and common areas. This is a direct violation of your lease agreement. Anyone seen leaving trash or belongings in the main hallway or common areas (basement/laundry room) can be fined up to $35 per bag of trash.

Keep in mind that improper trash disposal can cause pest and rodent issues within the building. We ask that you please utilize the dumpsters on Maeburn Road for all trash disposal. Recycle bins are also located on Maeburn Road for your use.

Should you have any questions, please contact our Management Office. Thank you for your prompt attention on this matter.

Sincerely,

Forward Management
5440 5th Avenue Management Office 63
Pittsburgh, PA 15232
412-254-2424"

Forward Management Pittsburgh's [False] Final Notice of Bicycle in Hallway Removal

'Received this letter taped to all doors of the apartment building today, from Forward Management Pittsburgh warning residents to remove their bikes from the hallways by May 13. There is a mention of a "final notice", however I don't think we've seen an initial notice, not for over a year. This yields this "final notice" as more of a first notice.

Additionally, the letter makes no acknowledgement of the two bicycles that were stolen from the building's basement (see the post on the theft crimes in Forward Management Properties Pittsburgh, here). Residents should be warned against moving their bikes to the basement where bicycles have been stolen before.

"Dear Residents,

This will be our final notice to all residents at 5835 and 5855 Alderson Street in regards to bicycles being stored in the main hallway areas.

All residents who are still storing personal items and bicycles in the main hallways must remove them immediately.

These items pose tripping hazards in the event of any emergencies within the buildings and cannot be stored there any longer.

If bicycles are not removed by Wednesday, May 13, 2015 at 5pm, we will begin cutting locks/chains and removing the bicycles ourselves.

Should you have any questions, please contact our Management Office.

Thank you for your prompt attention on this matter.

Sincerely, Forward Management"

Forward Management Pittsburgh 72 Hour Electric Shut Off Notice

The usual: Forward Management Pittsburgh is delinquent on its electric bill (of $2,141.95) and so Duquesne Light is threatening to shut off the building's electricity.

"Name: Alderson-Forward Properties LLC
Service Address: 5855 Alderson St.
City, State, Zip Code: Pgh, PA 15217

Date: 5/4/15

72-hour shut-off notice

Your electric service may be shut off!

We may shut off your electricity because:
X You did not pay your past due bill.

We will shut off electric service to 5855 Alderson St. on or after 8:00 am on 5/11/15 without further notice.

We will NOT shut off your electric service if you do ONE of the following:
Pay $2141.95 in full before 5/11/15.

If we shut off your electric service, you may have to pay all of the following before we can turn your service on:
Overdue Account Balance: $2141.95
Estimated Security Deposit: $4183.00
Reconnection Charge Up To: $250.00
Estimated Total: $6574.95

* If your electric service is shut off, you may be required to pay any additional bills that have become past due to restore your service and/or correct the condition noted above. Duquesne Light will have up to 3 days to restore electric service.

..."

Routine Apartment Inspection Notice from Forward Management

"Attention Residents of 5835, 5845, 5855, and 5865 Alderson Street

Dear Resident(s),

We will be conducting a routine inspection of your apartment on Friday March 13, 2015.
The inspection will take place between 12-5pm.
We will be checking for things such as:
1. Unreported maintenance issues.
2. Damage to the property.
3. Smoke detectors.
4. Carpet assessment (if applicable).
5. Cleanliness of the apartment.
This is a mandatory inspection and we must be able to access your apartment on the above mentioned date.
Should you have any questions, please contact our Management Office.
Sincerely,

Forward Management
(412)254-2424
info@forwardmanagementpgh.com"

No Cold Water in Shower, Fixed

After yesterday's missing hot water got fixed, we ended up with no cold water in our shower+bathtub. We had cold water in the rest of the apartment, just not the bathing facilities. 'Called Forward Management in the morning, and ~1 hour later we had a maintenance guy in who fixed it. Pretty speedy.

24 Hours Without Hot Water

We just went 24 hours without hot water in the apartment, but it's back!

Temporary Phases of Reduced Cold Water Pressure

A maintenance issue that is difficult to replicate: sometimes, when someone in the building flushes their toilet, or uses the shower (or ?something?), our cold water pressure throughout the entire apartment is cut dramatically. If this happens while you're washing dishes, it's practically a burn hazard as the hot water takes over almost completely. In the video below, I show the rather large difference between the cold water pressure and hot water pressure during one of these temporary depressions. After some amount of time (suspiciously the amount of time it takes for a toilet water tank to refill), the cold water pressure usually returns to normal. That is, until someone else in the building flushes a toilet.


The water pressure didn't always use to do this. We suspect it started happening sometime in September 2013, after the loud rattling pipes were fixed.

Re: issues with Forward Management

The day after publishing the last post about Forward Management losing track of our rent payment, I received an apology email from our account manager which was thoughtful.

Forward Management Review: STILL Wrong Over Late Rent

Well, I thought we'd resolved this issue last month, but it turns out I was mistaken. This time around, Forward Management sent along a statement, so I could see exactly what payments they'd recorded and compare to my bank statements. It turns out that a $30 credit in late October (because they couldn't charge us for heat we didn't get) is causing the weird '$20 past due' number. Combine that with the fact that they lost our December rent payment (despite my bank showing that the check was cut 11/14/14 and deposited 11/18/14).

So, after an email conversation with our account handler, I forwarded a screenshot of the deposited check and hopefully this erroneous late payment is finally resolved. Maybe. If we're lucky.