Introduction to Moda Homes and Home River Group
I signed a 13-month lease with Moda Homes at Bristol Bay of Yorkville, hoping for a well-managed, peaceful community. Initially, under the original property management company, RMK Management Group, things seemed to go well. However, things took a sharp turn when Home River Group, led by a manager named Francis, took over the management of the Moda Homes property.
Change in Management: Beginning of Issues with Moda Homes
The transition to Home River Group under Francis marked the beginning of serious issues within the Moda Homes community. Almost overnight, tenants began moving in who seemed to disregard community standards. Under Home River Group, it felt as though standards had dropped drastically, and it became clear that Moda Homes was no longer the peaceful neighborhood I had signed up for. The pervasive smell of marijuana wafting into common areas was just one of many issues that soon became a regular occurrence.
On top of this, the previously quiet community was disrupted by frequent police visits, creating a sense of insecurity that was difficult to ignore. Home River Group appeared disconnected from the issues Moda Homes residents faced, and they did little to screen new tenants or maintain the standards previously upheld by RMK Management Group.
Community Problems and Tension Among Tenants
The degradation of the Moda Homes community led to mounting tension, not just among tenants but also with the homeowners' association across the street. The homeowners’ association began voicing concerns about the new state of the neighborhood managed by Home River Group. The community, which once felt like a safe and pleasant place to live, was now almost unrecognizable. Long-term residents were frustrated, feeling helpless in the face of Home River Group’s inadequate management practices.
A Specific Incident: Semi Trucks and Business Operations
As a quiet, respectful tenant, I generally kept to myself, but one incident with a neighboring tenant pushed me to my limit. A semi-truck began regularly parking near my unit, loading and unloading pallets of merchandise, which clearly violated Moda Homes’ lease agreement prohibiting business operations in residential units. The truck often blocked my driveway, preventing me from accessing my own home.
Initially, I assumed it was a one-time occurrence, but as it continued weekly—sometimes multiple times per week—I knew I had to act. Attempts to contact the leasing office at Moda Homes about this lease violation proved futile, as I received no response.
Attempts to Resolve Issues: Dealing with Francis
Eventually, I managed to speak with Francis, the new property manager for Moda Homes under Home River Group. Unfortunately, she was dismissive and unsympathetic to the issue. Her response suggested she didn’t understand—or perhaps didn’t care—that allowing a semi-truck to operate out of a unit in a residential neighborhood was vastly different from a moving truck temporarily parked. This lack of understanding from Home River Group's management highlighted their disregard for Moda Homes tenants’ experiences and concerns.
Lease Termination: A Painstaking Process
Fed up with the continuous disturbances, poor management, and lack of support from Home River Group, I decided to terminate my lease at Moda Homes. However, due to an oversight, I had inadvertently signed an additional 12-month lease. The lease termination process was grueling, involving weeks of direct calls to Moda Homes, as Francis was nearly impossible to reach. It was only through persistence that I was eventually allowed to leave, but the experience had already left a lasting negative impression.
Move-Out Process: An Unfair Charge
Upon moving out, Moda Homes provided detailed instructions to avoid additional charges. I followed these meticulously, hiring professionals to clean and even using a wet vac on the carpets to leave the unit in pristine condition. However, despite my efforts, Moda Homes charged me a $150 cleaning fee. This felt unfair, as I had taken great care to leave the unit in excellent condition.
Attempts to Recover the Cleaning Fee
Over several weeks, I attempted to reach Moda Homes and Home River Group to discuss the unjust fee. I called daily but eventually found my number blocked, leaving me with no recourse to recover the charge. To this day, the $150 cleaning fee remains unpaid, and neither Moda Homes nor Home River Group has offered an explanation.
Conclusion: A Warning to Prospective Tenants
Reflecting on my experience, I feel compelled to warn prospective tenants about renting with Moda Homes and dealing with Home River Group. They seem uninterested in tenant well-being, and the management, led by Francis, is unresponsive and lacks basic empathy. If you are considering renting with Moda Homes, be prepared for poor management, unresponsive staff, and the potential for unexpected charges. I share this story in the hope that others can avoid the difficult experience I endured.
