Hawley Real Estate

Jason Torreano _{on Google}

Oct 22nd, 2021

This company is, by far, the very worst real estate company I have ever interacted with. If I could give this zero stars, I would.
The owner is dishonest, aggressive and really not smart which is not a winning combination in any human being.
Let's address these points one at a time:
1. Dishonest:
A. We lived in a legal two family home. The landlord had illegally altered the attic (making it a studio apartment) as well as the basement. For a long portion of our stay, his two family home was being operated as a four family dwelling.
B. When it came time for our lease renewal, he agreed -- in writing -- that there would be no rent increase. We agreed to stay. When he delivered the new lease, more than a month after the expiration of the previous lease, he increased the rent first by $200 and then later by $500. When we refused to sign and pointed out to him that he indicated, in writing, that there would be no increase, he threatened to call the police. He did this in writing multiple times (surprise, he never did because he knew he had no case).
C. When he threatened to call the police over us refusing his illegitimate rent increase, we went to the Township of Bloomfield to report the illegal units. Prior to the Township coming for inspection, he ripped out the kitchen in the attic. Still, the township cited him for having a bathroom in the attic (not permitted) and an illegal basement apartment. See image below from the report issued.
2. Aggressive:
A. See text messages attached to this review. He sent these on a regular basis. For context, the one attached to this review refers to my telling his tenant, who lived in in illegal unit downstairs, that if she had to leave, she was entitled to compensation from him. She approached me, the conversation was pleasant and there was no "harassment."
B. Also in the same text message, he threatened to find the condo I was moving to and report me as he didn't want them to be "hurt" the way I had "hurt him" (by holding him accountable).
3. Dumb:
A. When all of his scare tactics failed, he opted to send a notice to cease from his lawyer. The lawyer he's retained apparently practices law the same way this landlord practices real estate: not too well. In the notice to cease:
- the lawyer spelled my name incorrectly, three different times (all of them different spellings, none of them correct)
- he listed an illegal occupant in the apartment named "Pookie." Pookie is a cat. And Pookie is a cat that he approved living in the unit when we first signed our lease.
I would literally not go anywhere near this Real Estate Company. The 5 star reviews on Google are likely his family. A truly terrible experience in every way.

Brooke Williams _{on Google}

Jun 12th, 2020

They have good workers

Samantha Tsay _{on Google}

Dec 15th, 2019

Very professional and easy transaction.