Outback Rentals unclean,unsafe rental condo Gatlinburg Tennessee

August 2, 2009

To Whom it May Concern:

Complaint: Cabin conditions were unsanitary and unsafe

In May of this year we booked a vacation rental property that was found on the internet. On Thursday July 30, 2009 my family and I checked in to the Country Music Mansion in Gatlinburg, TN. The rental property managed by Outback Rentals of Gatlinburg, TN.

Upon arrival we noted the poorly maintained shrubs were overgrown onto the entry stairs so that the steep staircase handrails were not accessible on either side of the stairs. After entering the home we noted many dead gnats and bugs in the windowsills on either side of the entry door. The inside hand rails to the second story of the home were black from dirt, the white spindles had black hand prints and black smudges running down in several places as did all the door jams and light switch plates.


The walls were dusty as were the ceiling fans, drapes, valances and all the artificial floral arrangements hanging over the beds in each of the eight bedrooms. The refrigerator, countertops, cabinets as well as the blinds in the kitchen were not recently cleaned. The coffee maker still had coffee grinds in it from previous use. The shower stalls had mold in the corners and in the tile grout on the walls. There were multiple light bulbs burnt out or missing in each room in the home.


The hot tub was not turned on upon our arrival and was cold ,therefore we feel was also unsanitary for use. Chemicals were not offered when we informed Sabrina that the hot tub was cold, her only response was, oh, really? Because the home was so unsanitary and our call to the rental management, Sabrina, got us no assistance, .five of the family members took on the job of cleaning for the first 3 hours of the vacation in order to make the home safe for one of the family that has a recent diagnosis of cancer with a weakened immune system.


While sweeping the kitchen floor 3 black screws were found under the dining table, these were set aside as we did not know where they came from, later during the weekend while replacing a light bulb that we found replacements to (as again the request for new bulbs from the management went unanswered). Someone stood in a dining chair and the wooden seat insert broke in half. When pulling the seat aside and turning it over to check there were no screws attaching it and one of the supports was bent and bruit strength could not bend it back up, we may or may not have broken this chair seat.

Sabrina sent two men late in the day on Thursday, after our second call to her complaining about the conditions and asked us what needed to be cleaned. At this point we had cleaned for several hours, so we took the young men around the home, and showed them the dirty cleaning rags, dusty floral arrangements, and discussed our concerns. They did not repeat many of the concerns that were relayed to Sabrina in the initial call by my wife and were very apologetic and offered to get us the requested light bulbs and return. We never saw them again! We were told by Sabrina on the phone this morning that WE sent them away.


The maid came to the rental on Saturday afternoon while we were out and spoke with the only family member there at the time(who knew nothing of the complaint because we were cleaning for he and his wife before they arrived). Today on the phone stated she had come to check on things and was told there was nothing wrong. Sabrina stated that she called the rental phone 17 times and did not get an answer (She later contacted me on a cell phone without problem or incident). She has both my cell phone number as well as that of my wife's, that is how she contacted us to give us the entry code to rental property.


If she really was concerned with checking on the issues that we complained about, .she would not have waited 2 days to do so. The only person that we have spoken with in the management of this company is Sabrina, she has been rude, unresponsive to our requests, raised her voice unnecessarily, been insulting and verbally abusive to me and my family.


When my wife expressed concerns about the unsanitary conditions of the home due to our family member with cancer and weakened immune system she was told that by Sabrina that, People with cancer should not travel. She called my cell phone after check out time and told me, You all are a bunch of redneck hillbillies who shouldn't be allowed to travel. She later told us that she was going to report us to the Renters Association so that we would not be capable of renting in Gatlinburg again.


Our group consisted of 3 children and 2 college seniors and 11 employed professionals including 2 nurses and a CFO for a major hospital in TN. I do not know why this woman became so defensive and verbally abusive when we attempted to resolve our problems, we never raised our voices with her or threatened her.

We would like for the management company to begin managing properly so that no one else is put in the same situation, and to make the home owner aware of current situations.

Lori
Lexington, Kentucky
U.S.A.