NMB Florida Realty

"Next level? Absolutely not! Company threatens to sue after failing to communicate video surveillance at “Villa Next Level” holiday home We rented a vacation home (Villa Next Level) through this company for our stay in Cape Coral. When we moved in, we discovered many defects: the wardrobe doors could not be closed; The sliding door between the "master bedroom" and the bathroom fell off the guide when it was operated - even the fitter who was called later and who was only commissioned at our urgent request considered this situation to be very dangerous. One of a total of three garages advertised in the description was permanently blocked by the owner's vehicle, another by cupboards, toys and garbage cans. So there was only one parking space available. We found a Blink module in the living room. When we were briefed in the morning after our arrival, we were told explicitly that there was only one surveillance camera attached to the mailbox. We would like to emphasize at this point that we were not informed of an existing surveillance system when booking. Eventually we discovered the system's packaging stated that it had to have at least two cameras. Since we found other significant defects [dead mouse at the pool; dirty pool; palm leaf in overflow; Cobwebs on the cage, weeds (approx. 20 cm high) and rusting, defective door damper in the terrace area; pool toys not put away], we contacted the property management. Following the telephone call, we wrote down the defects mentioned by email to NMB. There they reacted angrily: “There are smoke detectors and carbon dioxide detectors in all of our houses, which of course sometimes flash. It shouldn't be difficult to distinguish a camera from a smoke detector. We therefore ask that you refrain from making such allegations in the future.” Even the property management, who then showed up to inspect the reported defects, was irritated by this way of dealing with customers. Only now were we shown the second camera that was attached to the pool cage. Both of the cameras had audio monitoring, so there was at least the possibility that we could have been listened in on. We felt that our privacy had been extremely violated and we communicated it that way. We were then advised to be able to leave the house: “After speaking to the owner, you are of course free to leave the house if you do not feel well.” We then dismantled the camera on the pool cage and put it back in the packaging. Instead of apologizing for what we considered to be outrageous and not at all customer-oriented behavior, a lawyer was sent after us who claimed excessive damages for an allegedly defective camera in the amount of $250 (new price at the local hardware store: $50). In a phone call with the owner, he told us that the camera was not defective. Because of the incident, we are currently refraining from reinstalling it, he explained to us. The very same lawyer who has not yet proven her authority is threatening to file a defamation lawsuit on behalf of the company - obviously to prevent an assessment. We will definitely not be making any more bookings through this company. We have never experienced such arrogance in our many holiday home bookings in Cape Coral."