Don't Rent From Public Storage

 

Small claims filing against negligent security, false advertising, breach of contract against Public Storage

Exhibit 1

March of 2016 I rented a space from Public Storage after called PS I signed up for AIG Perfect Solutions insurance. I was not told Perfect Solutions was a Public Storage company. I have auto-paid my bill on time for years. PS increased my rent many times. PS ran targeted advertising on Facebook that they were the safest, most secure, storage facility on the planet. They ran television ads about space exploration and how they were hyper secure in 2016. PS owns the building at 23572 Moulton Pkwy, Laguna Woods as well as operates there. The lobby exhibits a camera watching entrants, signs and advertisements say that PS offers secure, climate controlled, fancy storage.

Public Storage owns the building where I had storage. They advertised it as climate controlled, with security alarms and video camera surveillance 24/7. P S never told me they cancelled their alarm and cut the alarm cables. P S has the worst security. I did not know there was rear stairs and rear door entrance. P S has clients enter the elevator with this fancy security codes. The rear of the building is not secure I now know. They use bathroom style door locks, the downstairs door pin does not go into any secure plate, Steve Strohom claims he left his crowbar by the rear door which is suspect, and Steve left the building unlocked. P S has procedures for their employees to keep logs of inspections another employee showed me the log book and Steve failed to enter any inspections for the four days before the event. Two days later he back dated the inspections, the other employee showed me.

P S advertises in their office that they have 24 hour security. P S refused to give camera feed to the Sheriff.

The Sheriffs said P S has a greater number of these events than any other facility.

 

 

October 10^th at 12:45 afternoon Steve Strohbom called to inform the building had a burglary.

I asked him: “Have you called the police?”

He answered, “I was told by management not to inform the OC Sheriff.”

I told him this was negligent and that I would be there in fifteen minutes. I called the OC Sheriff while driving to the building. They informed me no one had reported any burglary.

Upon arrival I went upstairs to my unit. Fourteen or more units had been smashed into. The contents of my storage unit was all over the hallway. Boxes opened, broken antique glass Christmas ornaments all over the hallway, and the metal door closed. Another employee a man with dark hair not Steve came upstairs and he told me that “they” had put some of my items back into the storage and would change the lock. The bars from the doors were totally bent so opening the door was accomplished without using a lock. I went downstairs to meet the Sheriff who made a report and promised to send an officer to do fingerprints. I went around the back of the building to find paintings, bubble wrap, and other person’s storage items near the road in the rear of the building that dead ends up to the 23552 storage building for the golf course. The rear door was propped open. Upon close look I found that the security alarm which was once wired to the door had been cut. I asked Steve and the two other employees separately as to what happened to the rear door alarm. All three employees of PS confirmed the alarm system was cancelled and cut off some time in 2018. PS has elaborate video cameras in the entryway, they also have what are dummy cameras that were turned off years ago. There is a system to use a personal code to enter the elevator but there are rear stairs that are easy to access all the units. I did not know there was zero security.

Next to the rear door inside was a crowbar, probably used by the burglars. This rear door remained unlocked and propped open for three days and nights allowing all the strange people in the neighborhood access to 14 + units which the doors were wide open to steal more items. Employees of PS did not take care to lock the doors.

Employees failed to follow company security procedures and neglected to even call some of the tenants. Steve Strombom lied to me on 10/10 saying the locksmith was on his way. I was taking loads of my remaining storage in trips in my car to secure as quickly as I could. It took me seven trips. At 5PM Steve left without telling anyone. I called PS again and they said the locksmith was on his way but the had a flat tire. I was told the facility would close at 9 PM and I was on my second load of moving my storage.

Thirty to forty strange people wandered the hallways that day. Only two other persons who were victims were on site. Employees of PS put people’s personal effects away. The dark-haired guy was putting items back into my ripped boxes and I told him to stop. I left to purchase wrapping materials to re box my items remaining.

 I returned after 9 PM and the back door was still propped open but I could not get into the elevator and moving boxes down the hall and stairs then walking far with heavy items was impossible. Scary men were smoking around the rear door.

I went back the next morning 10/11 at 6:00 AM and other rough looking persons were at the rear door. That day I took loads home and met with the police investigator late in the day, but she said she could not get fingerprints from corrugated doors. That day I spoke again with the young man who replaced Steve Strombom. The young man and the Sherriff Department Investigator both thought it strange that only lockers that were paying and were full were smashed and robbed. Both suggested it was an employee who planned the burglary. Day two the locksmith NEVER fixed the 14 doors and never repaired the rear door. Day three I went back again to see the rear door still open day and night.

PS allowed access to any public person to wander the hallways and take more personal items from the victims for three days. PS employees went into our units. PS employee moved items and repacked boxes.

Police report #21-024495 Deputy Kim did not recover anything.

I made a claim with PS but they denied saying the AIG insurance I had no longer existed. AIG was a subsidiary of PS and now PS owns Starr or Orange Door.

I lost all my life’s personal jewelry, wedding rings, grandmother’s jewelry, sterling, paintings and the majority of my antique glass ornaments were smashed into nothing.

 

I now know more about PS. PS owns the building on Moulton and they had damages but did not want to get the police involved as it might alert media. PS has a policy of never paying insurance claims. PS took 51 days to deny my claim when the law says they had to notify in 30 days. About 95% of claims are denied. PS never informed me that my insurance cancelled, they just kept increasing my bill every month and taking autopay from my account. PS moved employees from another branch to avoid tenants rage for a couple weeks. PS knows this building location has problems with burglaries, robberies and vagrants. PS removed the alarms on the doors to cut costs without advising tenants. PS has fake security to lure customers. PS employees allowed many people to steal from us by leaving everything open for days. PS employees are supposed to inspect property twice a day and log it in. Steve did not inspect the building for a day or two and only makes his log entries when he escorts a new tenant upstairs. PS is a billion dollar REIT that runs a nationwide scam. PS paints everything orange to hide who they are: people who do not care.

My loss is $xxx,xxx.00 Plus the nightmares, worry and sadness about losing everything of value.

Should I have put valuables in there? I didn't know that their security is all fake lies. 

Things that got stolen or smashed to ruin:

 

Jewelry bag that held my grandmother and great grandmother's

engagement and wedding rings and mine

Two full sterling silver place settings from 1948- 1950

Twenty dollar solid gold eagle and pearl pendant with thirty five inch chain

Watch parts they broke

Parts of an Italian Nativity scene they took Jesus and Mary and two of the Wisemen but not poor Joseph

Here is the door they exited that Public Storage PCSS failed to fix the lock for four days

All the fake security cameras which they claim to the police they don't save the history or feed, but they do.

Employees careless with the keys to the building

Employees leave computer available and turned on and open when they leave the office.

Log book where Steve left the four days lock checks blank then filled in the work fake completed days later.

Jus so you know Public Storage does not care

My boxes rooted through. Upon arrival all were in the hallway. Employees moved them around and put some back into the space though the door was smashed open for four days. Employees opened boxes and cleaned up the glass from broken Christmas ornaments that were more than a hundred years old.

Robber burglars inside job they were too dumb to take first edition books signed

This bathroom doorknob without a lock is what Public Storage considers secure

Old alarm cut. Employees told me the alarm was turned off non payment in 2018. 

Bottom of the exterior door the lock mechanism does not touch the floor. Not secure still today almost a year later October 10, 2022

Pried open door

Crow bar sitting by rear inside 

PUBLIC STORAGE sells insurance which is a scam. They self insure. I paid for insurance and auto paid my account for seven years and they claim the insurance ended. 

98% of Public Storage insurance claims are denied. They blame the tenant for any and all problems

Rental Agreement

Thank you for becoming our customer. You want and agree to rent a self-storage unit from Public Storage on these terms:

Parties and Rented Space

Public Storage and or PSCC, Inc. and or its affiliates, authorized representatives, employees, or other agents, as owner’s agent (Public Storage, “we,” “us,” our “our.”

 

And

xxxxxxxxxu  , as customer (“you,” or “your)

100 Spectrum Center Drive Suite 500, Irvine CA 92618

 

You are an individual _X__    or a business ________________

 

Rental Date: 5/11/2016

Facility: 007009

23572 Moulton Parkway, Laguna Woods, CA 92637-1977

Enclosed space # 2180 approximately 5X5

Alternate Contact:  xxxxx xxxxx telephone: (949) 372-9000

 

FEES AND CHARGES

$ 62.00 Monthly rent due on or before 1^st of month       

$ 24.00 New Administrative Fee (non-refundable)

$ 15.00 Insurance

$ 25.00 Dishonored Check Charge

$ 15.00 Late Charge after 10^th of the month

$   7.50 Lien Fee 2 After 40 Days (Whether or not sale occurs)

$ 130.00 Lien Sale Fee

 

Occupant acknowledges that the above information is correct, that unless Occupant is identified as a business, Occupant is an individual, that all payments are due before the close of business day on the first day of the month, and that all payments are to be applied to the oldest rent charge first, and then fees and other charges that become due. Occupant also understands and agrees to pay all the charges, fees and rents as noted above and that the owner reserves the right to require that rent, fees, and charges be paid in cash, certified check, or money order.

It is agreed by and between Owner and Occupant:

1.       PURPOSE AND DESCRIPTION OF PREMISES. The parties have entered into this lease/rental agreement for the purpose of renting the above noted storage space (The Premises) and agree to examine the Premises and Property and acknowledges that the space is estimated per Building Office Management Association standards and does not refer to a useable space, that the size of the Premises, and any referenced sizes are approximate, given for illustration only and may vary materially, that the Occupant has an opportunity to measure the Premises prior to moving in, and that the Premises and common areas of the Property are satisfactory for all purposes for which Occupant shall use the Property including the size and capacity of the Premises. This Property being leased has not undergone inspection by a Certified Access Specialist (CA.SP). Occupant shall have access to leased Property only during the Property’s posted hours of operation. Loitering on the Property  or Premises is prohibited.

2.       TERM AND RENT. The term of this Lease Rental Agreement shall commence as of the day written above and shall continue on a month-to-month basis from the first day of the month immediately following until terminated. Occupant shall pay Owner as a monthly rent, without deduction, prior notice, demand or billing statement, the sum noted above (plus any applicable tax imposed by any taxing authority) in advance on the first of the month and shall owe a pro rata

Pu

Appraisal Came in Low Reconsideration Of Value

 

When a residential appraisal comes in low, a borrower prays they have an experienced seasoned loan officer who can write the long form novel needed to argue for a better valuation. 

The Consumer Financial Protection Board is "surveying" "checking" and "looking at" the system where residential appraisals come in low and mortgage loan officers or borrowers rebut the valuation

On October 6, the CFPB released a blog reporting that lenders that fail to have a clear and consistent method to ensure that borrowers can seek a reconsideration of value risk violating federal law. The blog focuses on the “reconsideration of value” (“ROV”) or appraisal rebuttal process.

In the purchase process borrowers pay for the appraisal for a lender to back up the loan to value and review the condition of the subject. The USPAP appraiser acts as the eyes for the bank. After the 2008 crash rules were set in stone that mortgage loan officers, lenders, brokers -anyone who makes a commission on a home loan cannot speak to licensed appraisers. In that long time ago past mortgage bankers would email comparables and have the listing agent review the errors. Today lenders work through an intermediary called a AMC or RAC and lenders never speak to appraisers. To rebut a low appraisal is a process that every lender has invented their own wheels. The reconsideration of value process is  a hit or miss. Homebuyers and homeowners can ask for a lender to reconsider a home valuation the consumer believes to be inaccurate. 

The reconsideration allows for borrowers to point out specific issues such as factual or other errors or omissions, inadequate comparable properties, or evidence that the appraisal was influenced by prohibited bias. The problem is that borrowers have no access to appraisal data, they don't really understand the ten page report, and don't have the experience to argue with facts. Only facts can overturn an appraisal. CFPB's blog warns that lenders must make sure that their reconsideration of value process is nondiscriminatory and clearly available and accessible to all.  

CFPB issued an outline on options to prevent algorithmic bias in home valuations. Bias exists even in the data of closed loans provided by the FHFA.  Additionally, along with other regulators, the CFPB is looking at the work of the Appraisal Foundation and the Interagency Task Force on Property Appraisal and Valuation Equity (PAVE).

 Couple bullet points in going forward I must note:

• Of course the originator wants the appraisal to match the sales price. The deal may fail and they don't get paid. 👎
• Newer Loan officers don't have the arrows in their quiver to write a rebuttal and provide actual comps with correct adjustment and timely valuation points.
• Appraisers like to hold on to their opinion of value.

I have below a list of items to prepare in completing a reconsideration of value.

The ways to overturn an appraisal are: 

1. be kind, have new photos, have documentation, run everything through the AMC

2. a rebuttal needs three comparables that were missed for some reason- say they had not closed on the day appraiser saw  property

3. comparables are within five percent of subject square footage and lot size to avoid large adjustments

4. comparables are within the past three months and are closed sales with a loan, not cash

5. comparables are similar room count and subject property type

6. comparables are in the same track or similar track nearby

7. look at the photographs and compare to old MLS, look at the sky and the weather to verify appraiser actually took the images in the recent time frame

8. How large is the adjustment percentage to the sold price? If huge then maybe the comp is flawed

9. Borrowers think that a new roof, new heater or new paint add value, they do not

10. rehab or remodel that brings the standard of the house up to parallel with  newer house or contemporary kitchen can be adjustments

11. A property can be over built or oddly over improved and not have market value

12. Same thing a property in a luxury neighborhood with simple bones may have more value

13. Future improvements have no value

14 Pools aren't a huge adjustment unless you are in the desert then they are the norm

15.Get your Realtor partners to help. They might not be experts but more eyes on the written appraisal can be helpful. Enlist senior NMLS officers in your office to help

16. Everything must be written and organized. You need photos to show rather than tell. 

17. Residential appraisals do not use square foot price

18. Use the form the AMC provides and add pages

Generally it is FREE to submit a rebuttal. (This ought to be a law.)

Ordering a second appraisal does not mean your outcome will improve and does not blind everyone from seeing the first appraisal.

USPAP appraisers are our eyes and unseen partners. A long time ago in a place far away we were all friends.

Caroline Gerardo, 

C G Barbeau

American Financial Network Inc
Mortgage Banker  

NMLS# 324982

There is a huge push after the Black Lives Matter movement to find ways to end discrimination in home lending. Appraisal is one of these pin points of pain.

Flower Bouquets

 Flower Bouquets from my garden over the years

I've been growing flowers since I was a little girl. 

I had hundreds of rose patents which I sold to Jackson and Perkins when I moved from the Central Valley. In the past six years I had acreage without as much access to water and I experimented with cactus, Epis, cut flowers and roses that can take heat. Most of my flowers became bouquets for friends or for holidays. I've done the flowers for three weddings for fun. I'm sharing some images from the past. I hope you enjoy

I love sweet peas. In Southern California start them around Halloween

Pink cereus epiphyllum this flower is nine inches across and smells like jasmine

Lily's are easy to grow in Southern California and last in bouquets

Love in the Mist blue Nigella or Devil in the Bush of the buttercup family. The fern like leaves do not last long in cutting arrangements but I love the blue color and lacy feeling. Easy to grow annual it also comes in other colors.

Don't be afraid to add seed pods, grasses and a variety of shapes to make your bouquets fun.

Even vegetables such as zucchini flowers which are abundant in the heat can combine with

more delicate flowers. Or stir fry them up for dinner.

Branches 

Wild roses near the ranch

Desert flowers without any irrigation