First Story Property Management, LLC - Tallahassee, Florida

Erin M.

UPDATE 10/16/24: None of my maintenance requests have been fixed (including the tree limb from the tornado, the broken garbage disposal preventing the dishwasher from being used, and the fencing completely falling apart) have been completed or even acknowledged. A massive tree limb has also now fallen due to Hurricane Helene in the front yard and they CANCELLED THE MAINTENANCE REQUEST I submitted citing that it was too similar to the one from the tornados in the spring. I have repeatedly attempted to contact their office and request updates via both text (which I know works because they contacted me via text previously via this number) and email options, except the email address they provided in their hurricane update DOES NOT ACCEPT EMAILS and my email was returned. Avoid this leasing company at all costs.

UPDATE 9/21/24: I still have 3 open maintenance requests, all of which are over a month old, and my dishwasher can’t be used because they still won’t fix my garbage disposal. I’ve contacted them twice in the past week and they will not answer me at all.

UPDATE 8/27/24: The office only reached out to me after I posted this review and blamed me saying that “multiple vendors tried to contact me” and they were disappointed that I would leave such a “nasty review”, despite the fact that I had zero voicemails or texts from vendors and I had repeatedly texted the leasing office and called from work requesting updates. They got two of my work orders fixed, canceled one that still hasn’t been fixed, and have not communicated since after I replied to them telling them that I was disappointed in how they were handling this situation.

The worst rental experience I’ve ever had—I’ve been submitting maintenance requests since March (plus following up with texts/calls), including ones needed due to my HOA, and nothing has been done/there has been absolutely no contact. I will be leaving when my lease is up in December and repeatedly warn friends and family from engaging with this company. Complete slumlords.

George

I have had the worst experience with this company. I have been trying to collect rent that the tenant paid to them and trying to end the agreement for rental management they don’t answer calls or text and they said they return the security deposit to tenant and there is some stuff in the unit need to be paid by the tenant . This has been and continues to be a horrible experience

T S.

I used this property management company 2 years ago with no complaints at all. I tried again and what a different experience. The photographer was fine, came promptly and quickly set the sign. I had to track down the person who I'd be working with to set the price 3x. No price, no paperwork and the sign is up, people asking me how much will I charge. The final time I was promised a call, nothing came. Instead of simply apologizing for wasting my time, now she is saying repairs were done poorly. No repairs were even done! Simply paint and cleaning. She never set foot in the dwelling. Very sad how this company has gone downhill.

Dylan C.

I rented a house with first story for 3 years. They were great, James was very hands on and responsive. Any issue we had at the property was swiftly responded to and fixed. Their tenant portal allowed for us to pay rent and send requests seamlessly.
100% would rent again

Kayla S.

Worst experience ever! We moved to Florida in 2021. First Story had enough time to have everything in the house fixed by the time we got there. It wasn't and it was dirty and there was food on the ceiling in the kitchen. We had no screens in our windows, the back bathroom had so many issues. There's soo much more. Our washer went out 5 days ago that they provided and still no word. They give excuses for everything. Done with this place. Don't rent from them!!

Marlon G.

I have had the most ridiculous experience with this company. We have been trying to collect rent that the tenant paid to them for months and they have refused to answer our calls or pay the rent owed. It is unbelievable that we have had to beg for our rent. This has been and continues to be a horrible experience!

Suly L.

I can count on one hand how many reviews I’ve left, and none were negative. I’ll start with good things. I’ve had 1 of my properties managed with First Story for 4 years. They have a good online system that keeps records of all transactions. Owner payments are wired to your account without delay. Every tenant First Story contracted for me, paid on time and stayed the duration of the lease.

As a builder First Story agreed to allow me to handle maintenance calls for my property. I expressed upon hiring them, this was a necessity in contracting my management company.

1. My first bad experience with First Story came as I paid one of my contractors to rekey the doors for a new tenant. First story deducted money from my rental payment for rekeying my home (which was 40% more than what I paid my contractor) and paid their own chosen contractor. When I asked them why they sent someone out as my locks had already been rekeyed, they said because they didn’t believe me when I told them my contractor would have it done before the tenant moved in. So they admitted they were wrong, but did not apologize or reimburse me for their incompetence. I should have ran then. It’s never the mistake, it’s how you respond that shows your integrity.

2. Tenant called in about the washing machine leaking water. I sent my contractor out and he discovered the tenant had somehow took the drain hose out and the water was running on the floor instead in the drain. There was no work to be done, just place the plastic hose back in the drain. My contractor charged me $75 for the trip. When I requested the tenant be responsible for paying, they shrugged me off and said “next time” and said hoses can move around and get loose! I should have ran!

3. I recognized on my statement’s First Story over billing utility payments. They advised me they would adjust it. This was years ago, and I haven’t been reimbursed yet. I should have ran!

Just recently First Story changed management and didn’t advise the owners. Unbeknownst to me, First Story stopped contacting my maintenance contact on file and began directly deducting from my rental payments for all maintenance calls. They said nothing to me upon making this decision.

4. I get a call from their staff recently letting me know I need a new AC unit and it will be installed in a few days and they need over 5k paid now! I’m confused because I wasn’t called, my contractor didn’t go out. I had no clue what was going on. The first story rep was speaking very crass as if he was a HVAC professional spokesperson explaining how the system was done and I needed to write a check. The only reason they called me was because the amount they needed was too much to take out of my rental check. I told the guy I’m responsible for my own maintenance and he seemed both unaware of this process and bothered by the fact that I didn’t just write a check. My contractor went out the next day and diagnosed the system, returned a day after and fixed the system. First story advised the tenant the delay in fixing the unit was because of me and not because they contacted their own contractor first which delayed the process. First story deducted $320 from my rent payments to pay the HVAC contractor they sent out to give them bad information that would only benefit them by installing a new system. First story booked the tenant a hotel room and deducted it from my rental payments, the tenant produced a hotel bill and First Story also deducted from my rental payments a total of $430 for hotels. This prompted me to check the history of deductions, and I uncovered years and thousands of $$ deducted from my payments.

When trying to correct these issues First Story ignored phone calls and emails for almost 3 months. When I wrote to them I was on my way driving from Miami to their offices, Jillian Kirkland miraculously responded and said they wanted to terminate the Managment agreement. No apology, no respect. Owners Beware! This is a small town, and we work in the same circles. Until they apologize to me, I won’t stop telling my First story.

Jaron H.

From the exploratory process of finding our rental home for the year to the end of our stay we had a wonderful experience with First Story. The leasing process was smooth and they did their best to accommodate our schedule. They do have strict rules in the lease that outlines expectations (like a requirement to have your carpets professionally cleaned upon move out), but it is clear and it allows for very clean and pleasant living properties. Communication was always quick, professional and proactive. I would recommend to a friend.