The Equity Group

We rented from a private landlord in Visalia CA. In March 2023 the LL hired The Equity Group as a property management company.

We were immediately informed by Equity as they came to the house to bring us a packet. The house had issues that were serious enough after the landlord avoided the problem and then tried to get us to cover the costs, code enforcement was contacted in February of 2023. We believe it was why they hired The Equity Group of Visalia CA. We asked the employee from Equity at the house if the were going to fix the electric problem.

He stated it was a pre-existing issue and basically contact the landlord. Equity Group was over the property (let me add what the house issue actually was... The electric panel was faulty upon moving in and we'd lose power to half or all the house at any given time. The lights would flash on and off both inside and outside lights.

The panel smoked, buzzed and sparked) from March 2023 to December 31, 2023 which was the date we were told we had to move by. We received a 60 day notice due to reporting the house to code enforcement.. we have video showing because the panel was so jacked, you'd have to turn on the dryer and run it to turn on the power and to keep it on. Immediately, after the 60 day notice to vacate expired, then The Equity Group wanted to do a walkthrough.

Not once from March to December 31, 2023 did they request to do a walkthrough. not once did they check to see if we needed anything being we had no electricity most of the time. And let's be clear, that meant no heater in 40 degree weather or no air conditioning in 100+ heat. This is showing how incompetent and slumlording they are.

My real complaint is due to a policy of predatory incorrect billing practices. We receive a bill for $2207.00 which includes rent they returned for January 2024 (I have it unopened) and a missing February 2024 payment that only recently I stopped payment in. Late fees for Jan and Feb 2024 for said rent they didn't accept. A "cleaning fee for $125 with no receipt and no explanation and certainly no explanation how the garbage/ sweet was turned back on into my name after I had it turned off.

And a late fee if $40 for November 2023 which rent was paid inside the building with the total amount owed given by their employee and matches the document for rent owed. In short, they're double dipping. I also posted in Visalia and Fresno CAs Nextdoor app asking about people's experience with The Equity Group to see if it was a fluke with us. It was not.

I also looked at the lawsuits at the courthouse from and against them.

There are a lot. Speaking with Fair Housing, they are a "KNOWN PROBLEM CHILD" to the State.