Smith Realty Salinas

I debated on writing this review for a while because Smith Realty hasn’t been 100% terrible, but after receiving my «deposit» after moving out, my mind was made up. I was warned by other tenants that this company will nickel and dime when inspecting your unit. I can go on a REALLY long rant, but I’ll break it down.
PROS:
1. They complete maintenance requests in a timely manner.
2. They extended my stay without having to commit to a year while trying to find a new home.
3. My neighbors were awesome (although that has NOTHING to do with the company)
CONS:
1. I spent $ 60 on cleaning supplies and 3 days cleaning the unit upon move out, but was charged over $ 200 because according to them it was «NOT» cleaned. I about threw up when I read that. I should’ve listened when an ex tenant said to not even bother with clean up, as it was a waste of time. I received $ 142 out of a $ 800 deposit. I knew the carpets needed work and I was under the impression I would get at least $ 500 back, but that was way off.
2. The paint job was crap (peeling everywhere) the sink was old and rusted (impossible to clean), the tub was from like 1950 and needed to be replaced, the tiles were old/​broken/​moldy (repair man put sealant OVER the mold!), and the back door was so old the wood was starting to rot.
3. They GOSSIP! Neighbors have told me that they would ask questions about other tenants… a little unprofessional? yes, I think so.
4. They charge the TENANT for their move-​out inspection detailed report for $ 50. Why should I have to pay them to do their job? I probably signed for that somewhere, I’m sure, but still why was that even an option?
5. They only assign some of the parking spaces to some units, but not others. Believe me when I say that this caused plenty of conflict! The lots assigned weren’t labeled, leaving tenants without spots to have no idea whose spot was whose. When I asked for them to as the very least repaint the lines (they were almost nonexistent), they refused.
6. Their customer service is horrible, they are snarky and condescending (except Diana, she was always pleasant and I never really spoke with Fred, although when I did he was accommodating and friendly).
7. I have an emotional support dog and I was highly encouraged to find another place to live, which is NOT okay.
I really could say SO much more, but if you just read the other posts on here, then you’ll get a good idea of what it is like to be a tenant of theirs.
On the plus side, I appreciate the management and fair policies at my new location so much more.

My husband and moved back to San Jose, but we couldn’t sell our house in Salinas, so we decided to rent it out. Neither of us had the time to handle all of the issues related to being a landlord. Cindy stepped in and did the job. Thank you Cindy and staff!!!

Take your business some where else. If you rent out one of their properties make sure to make note and take pictures of every thing that’s wrong and write it down on your checklist because when you leave they will try to to keep as much of your deposit money. They are one of if not the worst realty company in the central coast.

SLUM LORDS! OWNERS AND RENTERS BEWARE! This so called business is a total joke. The owner is a COMPLETE rip off and a COMPLETE bitch and doesn’t give a hoot about anyone but herself and how much money she can get from owner and tenant They charge the owner and tenant the same charges and double dip. I agree with the rest of the reviews and you are better off on the street than do business with them. They lie and cheat and steal!!! What a joke Bitch Realty! They got an ear full from me! And lucky they didn’t get sued by me… yet anyway! I have a lot of proof of their illegal business habits and knew once I signed the lease and they became bitches and condescending towards me that it would be a nightmare so I saved all correspondence. One of the lead property managers told me once that she didn’t want to email back and forth and wanted to talk on the phone so there was a paper trail. I laughed so hard. Completely ignorant! Another time someone broke the front window and this same property manager tried to tell me that I should have renters insurance to cover the cost of the window or I would have to pay for it… How stupid! they know nothing obviously or they would know that is covered by HOMEOWNERS insurance NOT RENTERS insurance!!! They obviously don’t know what they are talking about or what they are doing! Also they do repairs to the rental units that don’t need to be done, if they do repairs at all, then make the owners pay for it when the real issues are overlooked and not taken care of and the house goes to shit! They only show good reviews on their website of the four people that do business with them which doesn’t say a lot about them! The owner of the unit I lived in got so ripped off by them and he is across the US and hasn’t a clue he is being ripped off and his house isn’t being taken care of (Scruggs) even though issues were brought to Bitch REalty’s attention multiple times and they did nothing about it but let the house go to shit! They painted the house before i moved in and it didn’t need it and the paint job was so shotty it peeled off through the course of living in the unit. If you are currently renting from them be sure to take a lot of notes with dates and times of conversations; better yet correspond through e-​mail so you have a paper trail of their ignorance and slum lord practices! Owners and renters beware!!! I suspect they won’t be in business too long!
Been reading the other reviews and Barbara’s response! Makes me laugh at her ignorance. What a lazy fat bitch! I saw her one time pulling out of fast food place cramming her fat face while driving! She needs to go back south where her kind belong. ;)

I had a terrible experience with Smith Realty. Save yourself a headache and find a better property management company.

Smith Realty — what a joke! I saw a property they have for rent in South Salinas. I called to make an appointment to see the property. Appointment was for 4:00pm today — that’s when they had the time to show me the property. The person on the phone had to put me on hold several times to be able to answer the questions I had about the property (i.e. # of beds/​baths, square feet, etc.). Her focus was that I call 30 minutes prior to appointment if I had to cancel or else they would consider it a «missed appointment.» Don’t even know what that means… I just received a call at 3:19pm today to say that they had rented the property. My question was «how can you rent the property with an appointment still pending.» Her response — «well, we just completed the paperwork yesterday.» That is a terrible way to run a business. I will now NEVER do ANY business with Smith Realty and can not recommend them to anyone!