Pro Am Companies Taylor Management, Slumlord Rental Company in Rockford/freeport area recruits workers from Craigslist then doesn't pay when billed, Internet

Hello. I am responding on behalf of the Pro A/M Companies to the report filed on February 27, 2010. This report was filed by a disgruntled independent contractor who did very limited work on our behalf. I wish to address multiple incorrect statements made by this individual and provide clarification that was not included in this individual's report.

First - this individual responded to an ad we placed requesting an independent worker skilled in plumbing, electrical, roofing, carpentry and other basic repairs. The individual who filed this report represented that they were qualified in all of these areas and had worked on apartments for many years.

Second - Upon using this individual for a very basic plumbing repair he completely damaged the property and demonstrated his incompetence. He ruined a plumbing valve while completing an a very basic faucet replacement. This required a water-shut off and an additional $500 in repair costs. It also created problems with our tenant and the owner of the property (we are just the manager of this particular property).

Third - Upon explaining this to this individual he refused to repair the damages he created citing his lack of experience in performing such repairs, this contradicted the response this individual has sent to our initial ad which explained that he was greatly skilled in all types of plumbing repairs.

Fourth - As a result we had no choice but to hire a completely new plumber to come to the property. The cost was over $500 which was more than the individual filing this complaint was owed. This cost was incurred solely as a result of this individual's incompetence and misrepresentation of his plumbing skills. We offered to find a resolution with this individual and instead they filed this complaint which is potentially damaging to our reputation.

In addition the following statements were made by this individual with no basis and they are completely incorrect - I wish to address them below:

1. We are not affiliated with Taylor Management in any way. We are a company that works nationwide. This individual has made some sort of assumption that we are affiliated which is completely false.

2. We are not a slumlord of any kind. If we were why would we have hired this individual to complete some very basic repairs and upgrades to properties we manage. We do provide affordable housing - a much needed resource in today's economy - and that can often be intermingled with slumlords who do not hire contractors to maintain their property. We spend thousands of dollars each month maintaining and rehabilitating properties that have been foreclosed upon, distressed or damaged by tenants. We are not a slumlord in any way. If we were we would save thousands in repairs costs each year which are clearly documented in our financial reports.

3. This individual was retained to work at 1-2 properties out of our entire portfolio. We operate many, many properties in over 10 states. His experience at 1-2 properties does not qualify him to speak about the quality of our rental properties or investment portfolio.

4. Many properties we operate are simply managed by our company. This means we are not the owner and we do not control the condition of the property. We simply handle the repairs and maintenance as we are directed to by the property owners. Again this invalidates this individual's statements.

Thank you.