L & L Property Management

I am leaving this review as a rental applicant. We dealt with Diane Morando exclusively regarding a property in Sausalito. I have to say, when my wife and I rent out a condo down the road, we want a property management company, and more specifically, an agent exactly like Diane. Professional, punctual, responsive, etc. — basically everything you want in an agent.

I’ve lived at a property managed by L&L for 3 years, and had a great experience. The maintenance requests were promptly addressed, the move-​in/​move-​out inspections were fair, and the staff has always been helpful when I called or stopped by. Overall, had a great experience with these folks. They are honest people and I would recommend them to the next tenant.

I did not have a great experience with L&L Property Management. They are initially nice ladies, however, the way they deal with tenants is less than palatable. Beware they are a Landlord management company, so, don’t expect them to have your back as a tenant. Based on my experience, the expectation is that tenants will live in an apartment but, not actually use or touch anything. If there’s so much as a scratch on the wall or a can stain in the sink it will come back to haunt you/​threaten you. This expectation really does not allow for you to comfortably live in your «home»; the notion of «normal wear and tear» is lost on this company.
They also suddenly claimed that the utilities I was splitting with the landlord were now considered rent and they would not give me my security deposit back until they could take these costs out of the deposit. Typically, final utility bills are mailed to the consumer and then paid. I really did not appreciate my security deposit being held hostage because they decided that they would personally use this deposit to pay my utility bills because they were too lazy to just send me the bill when it arrived. I was left stressed about my security deposit from the time I gave my notice to leave until I received it. Not an experience anyone wants, especially a tenant like myself who is VERY neat, clean, quiet and respectful. I left that place pristine and the carpets were in better shape when I left than when I arrived. I would not recommend renting a place that is managed by this company if you are a good tenant and value your security deposit.
Not only that but, my experience with the landlord/​owner/​trust was terrible, in my opinion, she was dismissive, childish, a smoker, which she was dishonest about (and the smoke poured into my apt via the vents and stairwell), and the apartment is likely not even a legal apartment (no heat until I complained and it was controlled by the landlord so I had no access/​control over my comfort/​warmth, among other issues). The landlord also left a few old used items in the apartment and the management company seemed to point the finger at me when they noted that the towel rack was broken (it was the same as when I moved in) and the old beat up vacuum was moved to a different location within the apartment. Here’s a tip, if the landlord/​owner/​trust is so concerned with her used, old personal items, then don’t leave them in the rental apartment. Otherwise, it appears you’re looking for a way to get some brand new stuff at the tenants expense.
I should also note that I left my lease early (personal issues requiring me to move back to East Coast) and took full responsibility for this by listing and showing the apartment to over 20 people. I then sent interested parties to L&L to complete the application process. I was very surprised, given the rental market in the area, that they were not more amenable to releasing me from the lease initially. I’m willing to bet that if I was a terrible tenant (ie: noisy, didn’t pay on time etc etc), they would have gladly let me go. Places in this area rent fast. Regardless, I found at least 2 tenants who would have rented the place. In the end the management company went with someone that they found.
The positives here are that maintenance requests were responded to in a timely manner and I did get my security deposit back minus the utilities that were split with the landlord. I’ll never lose the stress I experienced during this time, however, and for that I give it this rating and would not recommend them or go back.

I responded to a Craigslist post (it is still there) regarding an apartment for rent in San Anselmo. I met with Sam the property manager at the apartment… I expressed my interest in the apartment and inquired regarding the process. I was told to apply online ($ 35 application fee for both me and my boyfriend). I was told that after they receive they would verify all information. I was told the decision is based on our ability to pay (we have been paying $ 800 more per month for the last 4 years then this unit rents for), employment (been their coming up on 4 years), and references all of which I gave. I continually called Sam to see if further information was needed, asked if he needed anything he received explained, and asking for when a decision would be made. Each time I was told all was good. I expressed how interested we were and we had given notice after seeing this place and we were waiting to here…
$ 70 dollars later as well as two weeks and I have NEVER received a call from Sam. He says he will call and never does, and as of this writing he has never given me an update. He said I should here by last Monday, still nothing. This is not how you run a business. If they do not want to rent to us, communicate it. As far as him verifying our information although we each gave three references none have been contacted. My boyfriends employee has yet to be called.
I do not know if they have no intention of renting this unit or if they are lazy but one thing for sure they do not do their job. By the way this building is also for sale something I did not find out till I saw the unit. I asked how that would impact the process and lease and was told it would have no effect.
I feel like I wasted my time and money dealing with these people and urge others to use caution.

I highly recommend L & L Property Management! After leasing a property from L & L for five years, I can say that they were fantastic. Great responsiveness to any problems and quick to ensure maintenance items were taken care of immediately (which was extremely rare). L & L, thank you for the wonderful service and living experience!

I have used L & L Property Management on numerous occasions to fill empty apartments in my properties. They are professional, responsive and communicate well with me and prospective tenants. The applications are thoroughly investigated and all information is presented to me to make a decision about a prospective tenant in a timely manner. I highly recommend them as a qualified and outstanding property management company in Marin County.

Barb, Pam, Sam, and everyone at l&l have been amazing to work with. They quickly responded to us for all of our needs at our home, have always gotten back to us right away, fixed all issues that needed addressing, and have advocated on our behalf. I would recommend them to anyone looking to rent out their property and tenants looking for an awesome company to rent from. They are absolutely awesome!

Liz Todd of L&L Property Management was excellent in helping us in our home rental search. She was very responsive making the appointment with the current tenant to view the property. Our situation required acceptance by the owner of a multifamily unit. We completed all the necessary applications and provided additional information to better reflect our family. She immediately processed the application, credit check and other financials and submitted us to the owner. The owners were out of town and as we were very anxious to get an answer, our frequent emails on updates were always answered promptly. With her support and approval by Barbara Luhrs, President of L&L Property Management, we received the go ahead from the owners.
As this was our first rental in many years, having owned homes and currently selling our home, a deadline to secure the rental in a timely manner was delivered by L&L Property Management.
We thank Liz and Barbara for their extra care and consideration for our needs.

Barbara and her team are top notch. We have had our property managed by L & L for several years. L & L is there when we need them. Personal attention to every detail, and just overall great customer service. Property management with a personal touch!

I not only leased my home with L&L Property Management but also sold the property with their expertise. I was extremely happy with the service, information and guidance provided by their staff. I live out of the area and was more than content knowing they were handling my investment.

Update: In early November 2010, I paid the $ 25 small claims fee and took L&L and the property owner to small claims court in Marin. As expected, I was successful in my law suit. The Judge was curios why L&L could not send one of the five people from their office to drive 2-​miles to conduct a 20-​minute final walk-​through of the property, but were able to bring 4 people to court for the good part of the morning. I was rewarded full reimbursement of my deposit plus all legal expenses. Important points for anyone leasing property from L&L (or any other California landlord): (1) Read CCC1950.5 to clearly understand the California law regarding return and retention of deposits; (2) Always conduct both an initial and final walk-​through of the property in-​person with the Landlord upon termination of the lease and on the move-​out date; (3) Keep documentation (emails, invoices, etc.) for everything including walk-​through results and cleaning expenses incurred. California law typically favors the Tenant in these situations, and Landlords have a high hurdle to jump if they choose to retain any deposit. Don’t let your Landlord intimidate you. They will most likely lose in court, like L&L did.

I leased an expensive apartment in a duplex through L & L and the failed to disclose some very pertinent facts, such as; the property was being actively marketed and there were realtors comming through and holding open houses, there was no heat and the place was filthy when I moved in and they refused to make repairs; broken windows and cabinets with broken hinges, fan over the stove not working.