Area Rentals - Barstow, California

Ann I.

Using hot pads today but also use Zillow I constantly see area rentals that won't let you see the property the one today had no photos they don't obey the California law that went in place last year that if you rent you only pay one month security deposit they made this law so that people can get off the streets and don't have to collect the thousand dollars to get into a place. Area rentals write ups on hot pads and Zillow continue to say based on credit or application now today I see a very reasonable I think it was a studio or one-bedroom about $1,000 as a retired senior that's the most I can afford and they want $55 application fee you're not allowed to see it because it said must fill out an application fee and there's no photos only of the front of the building. That's legal I've reported to fair housing. How the heck do they expect someone to rent if you can't see what you're renting and you're not allowed see in person. That's against the law. And now looking for reviews I see they have a very low review if they continue to collect application fees they're getting hundreds of dollars for only one rental.a few years ago I helped put a lady in jail that was doing this as a small apartment manager and I drove to the address because stupidly she had it and then as soon as I arrived she said no no no no no and broken Spanish already rented turned out she was continually advertising the upstairs apartment above the garage and the renter was there for years and she's spending time in jail and paying restitutions. The property owner didn't even know.
But I don't know what's up with area rentals but they're getting reported to fair housing and I'm done with all of these places cuz they teach us seniors to protect our identity why would we do online applications with driver's license and social Security and believe me I worked in front of investigations for mortgage fraud and other fraud on high-end cases for FBI and the secret service in homeland security and they taught us how to help people with identity theft associated with this fraud. And the FBI said never give your driver's license and social online. Nonprofits to help seniors and also for fraud training and ID theft. And all of these unscrupulous rental agencies will be included. It's bad enough they don't replace closet doors and things are filthy and dirty. But filling out applications for an apartment you will never get at now 55 each is illegal with no photos and no tours! Mark my words I will make sure all of these agencies will be fined or make restitutions if collecting fees after rented!! I will make sure fair housing does audits. Yes some of us seniors had great careers. I didn't work at Walmart.

Brodie F.

Reading these reviews makes me sad. For me personally I have had a great experience with them. The women who has helped me with trying to get a home has been beyond kind and helpful. I have asked her so many questions and instead of blowing me off she has helped and answered them. I truly cannot wait to rent a home through them! I hope others can feel and have the same experiences as me and my family!

heber H.

Recently applied for a very nice home through area rentals and the process was very easy and the lady's helping me were very kind and helpful fingers 🤞🏽 we get approved 🙏🏽

angel P.

1/11/23 long story short, the reply speaks for itself,you guys have a 2.9 rating!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You can try and justify it or not! TAKE CARE!!! Stay blessed and all that good stuff! This is my opinion!
I completely agree with the reviews below. I've heard nothing but bad things about area rentals,in the barstow area, and yet and still I applied twice being as though most of the homes in The Barstow area are listed under them.The requirements are ridiculous. I expect for rental company who accepts section 8 vouchers to have some know-how about how the section 8 process works. Besides that it's kind of iffy that you're not able to view a property until after you fill out an application which requires $45. You don't even really know if you like the property before you pay your money. Other property sites will have you leave an ID and give you keys so you can view it on your own. I read in a review response from area rentals that basically they just don't have time to show properties to everyone that wants to apply isn't that kind of like their job I wouldn't say they were rude, I would just say they have this Aura of not caring. Whether or not if you have an eviction!!!! on your record if your credit is not above 650 they will not consider you. Being late on bills will disqualify you and I think that they don't tell the complete truth because it was my understanding that you had to sign up for rent payments to be added to your credit report so I would say.
Look into other rental companies and let them be your last option.

erin B.

All about money. They pick and choose who gets approved. You can make the income and irrelevant things would still affect your application. If you could go through another management company I personally would. I would make Area Rentals my last choice if a choice at all.

Baby B.

They are running a scam! There are very specific laws that must be followed to charge an application fee. They never showed me the property, while reviewing my application they approved someone else, then said I would be on a waitlist (illegal) and they continue to collect application fees even though the place is not vacant. They are to refund any unused portion, provide an itemized list of what reports they ran and cost (I provided my credit check and they still charged me), claim the fee is nonrefundable (illegal) and kept dragging me along. Please ask for a refund and for any damages their process caused you. As you can see from their response, they are fully aware that they are breaking the law and blame the applicant that asked for a refund. Tiffany lied to me stating they would refund me and then they decided against it. I am filing a lawsuit for damages and did receive a refund from my bank. They do NOT know the laws and even though I sent them an accurate printout, they still deny them. Charging an application fee before you are shown the property is illegal. Pictures online can be forged and fraudulent and of a completely different unit or one they don't manage. I have been a property manager for over 10 years and am completing my Master's in legal studies. The landlord must provide each applicant with a written receipt after they pay the application screening fee. This receipt must itemize all costs, including the landlord’s time or the price of any screening services used. THEY DO NOT. They must return ANY unused portion of the application fee. ANY application fee collected and then they approve an applicant, all fees must be returned to the applicants that were in line after the approved applicant. You can see by their response that they are making excuses for their deplorable behavior. Please report Mary Ann Chavez DRE # 01181996 to the California State Department of Real Estate. Do NOT allow them to scam you, or anyone in your community. They are conducting business in an illegal manner and discriminating against those that do not know the laws. Claiming an application fee is nonrefundable is ILLEGAL! If you reject an applicant after you have collected an application screening fee, but before completing the screening process, then you need to return the portion of the application fee that was not used. For example, if you charged the screening fee, but never performed the screening process, then you must refund the applicant for that unused amount. Check the laws before you open your lying mouth. A proposed applicant shouldn't have to school you on what your business is allowed to do.

UPDATE * I GOT MY MONEY BACK! I FILED A FRAUD CLAIM WITH MY BANK. DO NOT ALLOW THESE PEOPLE TO SCAM YOU. CHECK THE LAWS. YOUR CREDIT CHECK FEE IS RETURNABLE!

Nae R.

I have not rented from them, however I called to inquire about a property because all properties available in Barstow are basically listed by them. I was told that their policy was not to show the property until my application was approved. I’ve never heard of such a policy. So if I don’t like the place I’m just supposed to take the Loss? The lady said I could apply it to one of their other properties but this is just not good business.

Lilly

Won't accept Edd but takes food stamps and cash aid towards income.Make it make sense. Told me I could use unemployment for income just to tell me they can't the next day.