Powell Properties Tyler: Interesting Anecdote

Anyone who has been at all interested in my ongoing feud with Bert Powell of Powell Properties Tyler will be amused by this story...

Bert has been sending a steady stream of documents my way over the last three weeks or so since he picked a fight with my then-pregnant wife. First it was a hand delivered notice of termination of contract, which interestingly enough said that it would not become effective until a registered letter was certified and delivered to me. It never was. Then, about a week later, an eviction notice for failure to pay rent, despite the fact that when I moved in I paid first month, last month, and security deposit. That letter too was not supposed to actually be in effect until the certified mail was delivered, which it never was.

Then yesterday, I received a hand delivered notice that according to his records, I did not indeed pay last months rent (huge surprise there), and that the 'eviction' would proceed as planned (despite the fact that I've already notified him that I'm moving this weekend).

Here's the funny part... this is the notice that he actually does decide to have delivered in duplicate by certified mail, even though it has no legal bearing as a document carrying the weight of law.

As I was signing for the document, before I saw who it was from, I asked the mail lady, "From Bert Powell?"

"Yeah, sure is," she replied. "He's a pain in my ass, too!"

Thought you might get a kick out of that.

Powell Properties Tyler Refuses Amicable Settlement

For the backstory, go check out Powell Properties Tyler.

Bert Powell has rejected the final offer of resolution with the Better Business Bureau (that link takes you to the official BBB complaint record). Essentially, he has now charged me with additional rent that theoretically should have been paid for already. When I signed up for an apartment with him, I paid first month, last month and security deposit (coming to the amount of $1700, if memory serves). He's now attempting to hit me up with an additional $450 or so, which is his version of the pro-rated amount for the last month's rent.

I contacted him via telephone last night and confronted him directly on that issue. He began to waffle and started to bring up other issues.

"Bert," I said, "Shut up and tell me: what does the term 'last month's rent' mean to you?"

"It means your credit wasn't good enough and we charged you more money to move in," he replied.

"Wrong, Bert. Last month's rent means the last month you live in an apartment's rent is taken care of," I corrected.

"You're still going to be out of there by the 25th," he attempted to protest.

"I'm not arguing that with you right now, dummy. I am not paying you twice for the last months rent, and I have records that prove that I paid," I said.

"Well, I'll check my records then, and if you don't owe, you don't owe it," he said.

"Not only that, but you'll sign and have notarized something stating that. I'm not going to have you further depreciate my credit with your specious claims."

He agreed and hung up. I get the feeling I'm starting to wear him down.

Then I got in this morning and saw the BBB complaint 'resolution.' I am now contacting the local media. KLTV has this thing called '7 on your side.' It's basically the consumer protection reports they do. I'm hoping that they take the story and go to bat for me. All I'm asking for, as stated in my BBB complaint is:

1) Written and hand delivered apology to my wife.
2) Grace period on moving due to we're having a baby.
3) Guaranteed return of my security deposit.

It's not a lot I'm asking for. Just what's fair. Still, he refuses.

All of this over a campaign sign. What a nutjob he is.

/rizzn