The Signature Groups of Baltimore BEWARE - Awful landlord/property manager - Improperly retained all security deposit and pet deposit. Baltimore, Maryland

My entire rental experience was a disaster. I would advise all property owners and potential renters to avoid The Signature Group when considering management companies. Some of the myriad of problems I encountered were: (1) Poor customer service - When a problem arose due to a faulty dryer vent the Signature Group was completely unresponsive to my requests for maintenance. Eventually, the problem resulted in the build-up of mold behind the drywall above the dryer room. I contacted their offices on numerous occasions to request that someone come repair the problem. I always received the same response: "We'll send someone right out." Yet no one ever came out and the property continued to deteriorate. (2) Substandard maintenance - When I moved in the microwave had fallen from its cabinet mount. On the rare occasion that I actually got someone to come out, they haphazardly mounted the microwave to the wall. Not only did it look awful (and damage the owner's property), but it failed to stand up to a year's worth of nominal use. (3) Incompetent staff - On two separate occasions (remember, I only had a 1 year lease), the Signature Group claimed to have not received my rental payment. I had to provide proof that not only did I pay my rent but I also had the scanned copy of the check showing that their office had deposited. It's unacceptable for a company to have such poor financial management. (4) Legally suspect practices - In addition to ridiculous deductions from my security deposit ($60 to rehang a door that was removed during move-out - charges for normal wear and tear in contravention of Maryland law - charges for nail holes in the wall which they had previously consented to), they refuse to acknowledge or return a $300 pet deposit made and documented in the lease. (5) Non-existent cleaning service - Prior to moving in, I was assured by Annie Burton-Byrd, Signature Group's founder, that their cleaning service would be out to clean the property. Either this did not happen or they have the worst cleaning service in the business. Brick dust was everywhere - it looked as if the place was still under construction!!!! What a horrible experience. With so many other property management companies/landlors out there there's no reason to use The Signature Groups of Baltimore.