. . "0"^^ . "0"^^ . "A SCAM WITH ONE PURPOSE: TO TAKE YOUR MONEY\nHow It Works and How to Beat It\n\n\nAS A FORMER INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER for several of the largest newspapers in the United States, I state without hesitation that this is one of the most egregiously dishonest companies of any kind I have ever encountered. \n\nHow dishonest? \n\nFor starters, the \"Weldon M. of Cave Creek, AZ.\" who posts a \"positive\" review here about McMath is none other than its owner _ Weldon Lee McMath himself _ posing as a satisfied customer. A blatant lie _ and a stark violation of Yelp rules.\n\nThe Yelp response:\n\n\"Weldon M.\nCave Creek, AZ ... \nThis review has been removed for violating our Terms of Service.\"\n\nMcMath uses every trick in the book: lying in their initial agreement, failing to deliver services, misstating the law, and attempting to intimidate tenants. \n\nThe scam:\n\nMcMath owns \"RW Maintenance, Inc.\" _ a \"cleaning company\" operated out of his own office _ that \"cleans\" properties after moves and fabricates \"problems\" as grounds for withholding deposits (complaints here show how the so-called \"problems\" match from property to property). \n\nMcMath actually finds what Arizona law calls \"normal wear and tear,\" like soiling, which the law says is NOT grounds for withholding deposits. McMath nonetheless convinces landlords it's enough, that they should use his \"cleaning report\" as the basis for keeping your money.\n\nMcMath claims he offers these \"reports\" as a \"courtesy\" to landlords, that the decision to withhold security deposits is the landlords'. Totally untrue.\n\nRichard B. Cooke, the unctuous McMath property manager handling our rental, spiked our RW Maintenance report with insulting personal remarks, bragging in detail how he had \"advised\" the landlords about what to keep. \n\nIt is proof positive that McMath Realty Property Management/RW Maintenance and the landlords act as one.\n\nBy snatching your deposit money for landlords, McMath then positions itself to become the real estate agent handling sale of the property, an incredibly flagrant conflict of interest. Indeed, Cooke landed the account as the agent selling our rental.\n\nWhat to do:\n\n+ Photograph your rental property inside and out before, during and after occupancy. Date everything.\n\n+ Photograph ALL walkthroughs, showing Cooke and whoever else, like landlords, in the pictures. DON'T let them rush you or brush off any questions. Date everything. \n\n+ Tape-record phone conversations with Cooke, McMath representatives and the landlords. In Arizona, it's legal to tape conversations as long as one party knows about it (that's you).\n\n+ Save your e-mails, texts and letters to and from EVERYBODY. Mail each letter twice, via both regular and certified mail. Keep careful track of the dates of everything.\n\n+ NO MATTER WHAT, go on record by filing complaints with the following (it really DOES make a difference _ and McMath hates it, for good reason): \n\n~ARIZONA BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU \n\n1010 E. Missouri Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85014\n\nKarina Rodesno, Lead Conciliation & Engagement Specialist\n(602) 264-1721\nE-mail: krodesno@arizonabbb.org\n\nGeneral BBB contact: info@arizonabbb.org\n\n~SMALL CLAIMS COURT \n\nYOU HAVE ONE YEAR TO FILE. Any individual can file in Maricopa County Small Claims Court for damages of up to $2,500. The court strongly encourages plaintiffs to use AZTurboCourt. If you don't, you will have to go to the courthouse to fill out the necessary forms. It costs $38 in fees. \n\n~ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING\n\n1110 W Washington St.\n#310\nPhoenix, AZ 85007\nPhone: (602) 771-1000\n\nIf you are seeking guidance concerning the Residential Landlord and Tenant Act you may wish to consult an attorney. If you don't have one, you may find it helpful to contact FREE community legal services:\n\nMaricopa County Central Office\n305 S. Second Avenue\nPhoenix, AZ 85003\n(602) 258-3434\n(800) 852-9075\n\n~NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY MANAGERS\n\nThe association has a strict code of ethics _ and Weldon McMath is a member. \n\nTo file a complaint against him: http://www.narpm.org/about/ethics/\n\nTo contact the national office:\n\n638 Independence Parkway\nSuite 100\nChesapeake, Virginia 23320\nPhone: (800) 782-3452\nFAX: (866) 466-2776\nEMAIL: INFO@NARPM.ORG\n\n~INSTITUTE OF REAL ESTATE MANAGERS (IREM) \n\n430 North Michigan Avenue\nChicago, Illinois 60611\nPhone: (800) 837-0706\nFAX: (800) 338-4736\nEmail: getinfo@irem.org\n\n~ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF REAL ESTATE (ADRE)\n\n2910 N. 44th Street\nSuite 100\nPhoenix, AZ 85018\n\nThe Arizona Department of Real Estate (ADRE), under the direction of the Real Estate Commissioner, enforces Arizona's Real Estate laws. A complaint may also be filed with the Arizona Association of Realtors\u00AE (see below). \n\n~ARIZONA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS (AAR)\n\nTo file a complaint against McMath:\n \nhttp://www.aaronline.com/resolve-disputes/ethics/ \n\nSend your completed materials to AAR along with your submission to:\n \nAttn: Ethics\nArizona Association of REALTORS\u00AE\n255 E Osborn Road, Suite 200, Phoenix, AZ 85012"^^ . . "0"^^ . "2017-04-18T00:00:00"^^ . "1"^^ .