Alma Property Management Services

Overall a very good job; they managed my rental property’s association and are very responsive to my needs. Sometimes they are not forceful enough; I have trashy neighbors who just trash my whole building, violating many of the rules, and my complaints to ALMA has been slow to be communicated to the board but were eventually resolved.

I do not want to give any star rating. I am highly disappointed with this company. It takes them 2 days to answer back your calls or emails. And when they do, it is only to say that we are working on your application. When you call in the office to talk to them, it goes to their voicemail and they never return your call. It takes them forever to make a decision on an application. They do not even know their own policies.
I sent an email out to ask if the HOA allows to put tents, tables and chairs for a party. First they responded saying it is not permitted. Later they send you an email asking for information about it.
They hold their meeting only once a month and if it is cancelled due to the weather, they go to the next week.
I also have an application submitted in the month of January, it is mid May and no one has ever called back regarding the decisions.
We bought this unit in January and during the buying process in November 2015, the previous owner submitted an application for a damaged wall (water damage) in the garage. It is Mid May 2016, and we have not heard back from them. They take a heft $ 250 fee every month but nothing has ever worked out for me.

this company has no clue how to manage anything! they do nothing! never answer calls or return calls!!!

Alma Property Management is somewhat of a conundrum. On the one hand, their ability to find the slightest imperfection on the areas of your property which you are required to upkeep is inhuman. I allegedly have a dent in my garage door (I still can’t see it) that they have tried to bill me for going on 8 years now. On the other hand, their ability to see their own shortcomings is non-​existent. One has to wonder if they only care about collecting money, and not about keeping up the properties that they manage? A company wouldn’t really do that though, would they?
Well if there is any doubt in your mind, just purchase a property managed by Alma. You’ll be blown away by their complete lack of customer service, while being equally floored by their ability to nit-​pick your property all the way to the bank. As they refuse to properly salt and plow the roads, you’ll be fined for keeping your garbage cans in your private, gated walkway (where you installed spectacular paving bricks for the sole purpose of displaying said garbage cans). They will inspect your property with a fine tooth comb, all while ignoring repeated complaints by homeowners about substantial flooding due to a faulty pump. You can call and call and call, and maybe, just maybe someone will call you back. They’ll probably promise to send someone over, though that must be how they say «goodbye» wherever the Alma people hail from, because no one has ever come over.
So do yourself a favor, and just say «no» to Alma. In fact, just avoid any place with a management company at all. But, especially Alma.

Called in today on this horrible ice storm and our street has not been plowed or salted at all. I couldn’t drive my car into our street and had to plow it myself. When I called to ask if they plan on coming by I got an answer saying that this is not considered a snow storm and that is not really their responsibility. Very frustrating!

Customer service and professionalism are lacking. Every time I call I end up frustrated. They have the attitude of employees working at the DMV or any government run office. Kind of like, «you need me and I can treat you however I like». I gave 2 stars, because they keep the property clean and are like watch dogs for litter or anything unsightly. Would I choose to deal with them, if I had to consider a property management company? No.

Staff is not very helpful. I put a work order in and they responded quickly, but didn’t address the problem. I sent pictures of the problem and explained in detail what the problem was and there was not reply. I called Sue and she was negative and not very helpful. She had no clue what was going on. Had to re explain the issue and the seriousness of the problem and she still didn’t want to send out someone to inspect the situation. Basically my AC unit was sitting in standing water due to the poor drainage due to the landscaping was diverting all the rain toward the building. This is a serious issue and they use delay tactics because they don’t want to own up to the problem.

This company is absolutely terrible. I mean the pits of the pits!!! They have terrible customer service. Do not trust their accounting/​finances/​closing department. They withheld information about debts on the condo I purchased which is a direct violation of Ilinois Condominium law. Their Collection Agency Law firm came after me 37 days after my closing with thousands of dollars in unpaid fees which were dating back to 12 months before I assumed ownership (ALSO ILLEGAL!) To top it all off, I was charged over a thousand dollars to receive the necessary closing documents and «Paid Assessment Letters» that were incomplete and inaccurate. Gouging, blood sucking and completely inept are the first in a long list of adjectives that come to mind when I think of «Alma».
In additional the finance/​accounting issues, I have also been waiting 3.5 months to have a black nasty mold cleaned in my attic. I took pictures and notified Alma of only days after closing on my property in late March. It is now July 10^th I still have MOLD.
My association is apparently firing Alma, as they are just as unimpressed with their shenanigans. STAY AWAY!!! CAVEAT EMPTOR!

We had difficulties with Lillian as well. I always believe in asking for permission, instead of forgiveness. But Lill was unreasonable and uncompromising. So we brought our concern to our HOA board. The board overruled Lill and the issue was resolved. The board are people, and people are understanding. Alma is a company, and companies don’t understand people.
I understand how rules work, but it would be much nicer living under Alma if they were just a little more flexible/​friendly. They are very strict and there are many rules that seem arbitrary or unnecessary.

I am so frustrated at this moment. This property management company uses Northwest Recovery for their «towing needs.» I most likely not recover my lost time at work or the money I paid for the tow, or the horrid experience I had at Northwest Recovery. I am disgusted that Alma would even do business with people like this. Absolutely disgusted. Will never rent an Alma property again and would advise others of the same. Resolution is not Alma’s strong point. I will be attending the monthly association meetings until this has been rectified.

I have been trying to get lights around the common areas of our sub division and Lill said at an open meeting. Oh I hate dogs and that I should run around to 180 units and have them turn on their balcony/​patio lights and yet pay for that electric too. What do we pay all this money for! No amenities and minimal/​rude service is what you will get. When dealing with their employees they all bully you into thinking its you and not them. If one of their recommendations are dishonest, they don’t care and keep on milking the elderly for a profit. Considering customer service is what we are paying for… you won’t find it with Alma.

The office clerks are very rude. They think they are your boss and only their time is important, not yours. If you are talking to them and have few questions, they will keep saying the word «OK», «OK» as if they want to hang up the phone. They are cheats. Make sure if you leave that you claim your Security Deposit Back, else they will pocket your money. Make sure you document every transaction/​conversation with them and use it legally to take any actions against them.

For two months the coach light entering our subdivision has been out and the area is very dark plus, there were a few robberies in the area recently so it’s even more critical that the light is working for safety reasons. I have called three times requesting that the light is fixed and though they say they finally put in a work order yesterday and had it fixed, it still wasn’t working as of last night. I thought property managers were supposed to manage your property!

Their maintenance guy is good at fixing things. He didn’t keep his scheduled time or date and I had to call him the next week but he knows what he’s doing. He did a fantastic job and was very insightful. He also had no problem coming back to look at another issue we were having at the time.