Universal Property Management & Maintenance

We hired Russell Larson to manage our apartment in Honolulu. He consistently provided rent checks late without adequate explanations or providing any late fees. We ultimately terminated our agreement with him after about 7 months, but agreed to his request to manage the property until the end of the year. After the relationship ended, despite promising to do so on numerous occasions, he failed to provide the final rent check. For the first couple of months, he assured us he would send it "next week," which he never did. After three months, he stopped responding to us altogether. He still owes us the money, and we intend to take all available actions to recover it.

Mr. Larson subcontracted to an apprentice, collected rent from one of my units to pay for the renovations....only he kept the majority of the money. Once I realized what was going on, I terminated services. He refused to return my tenants deposit - $2400 - or reimburse me for the work he did not do. Bullet points and pictures are attached. He is shameless in playing the "pity card" telling you that his brother died, his wife has cancer, he's under psychiatric care and on medication. Finally he just stops any communication at all. Stay VERY far away from this man.

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We can't say enough good things about this company.  Russell Larson has been our property manager for over a year and, although we were favorable impressed when we first met him, it takes time to build trust and confidence.  He has done just that and has risen in our esteem as the more experience and dealing we have with him.  First of all, he always returns calls, texts, and emails within hours but usually within minutes.  He is always positive and upbeat and no problem seems too daunting-he just takes care of things.  But, he keeps us informed before he does anything.  For example, there has been one vacancy in the last 12 months.  Russell cleaned up the unit and found a tenant who actually moved in within 3 weeks.  Unbelievable-right? <br /> An added benefit that this company brings is that Russell also owns a construction company and is a master carpenter himself.  He can do many of the repair/maintenance work himself.  However, with this background, when a job has to be outsourced, he knows what needs to be done; can judge if proposed costs are reasonable; and can determine whether the job has been done properly. <br /> In summary, he is everything a property manager should be: knows the laws and building codes; finds reasonably priced contractors; maintains good tenant relationships; and is aware of market trends for rental properties. We highly recommend this company. <br />

I went well so far. He found quality renters pretty fairly quickly and got them moved in right away. He is able to handle any desired maintenance himself and schedules and coordinates with contractors who we've had work on the property. <br />

RE: PROPERTY MANAGEMENT Terrific! <br /> First, let me state that I called and/or e-mailed several property management firms and asked if they did this kind of single family home, temporary kind of service and if not, to at least let me know they got the message. Most never responded. Russell Larsen of Universal called and we discussed what we needed. This short term request was not precisely the core of his property management business but he was very willing to help us out, which we greatly appreciated. <br /> I appreciate that he communicated, was willing to consider the possibility which helped us make this transition. Because he is a contractor we also asked him of his knowledge of other business for various services we would be needing. <br /> He is willing to consider this kind of property management along with the more traditional property management that he does. <br /> Terrific person, excellent communication. <br />

Russ is great to work with. He is always professional and friendly. I really appreciate all his work on getting my apartment ready and getting it listed quickly through his sources. I was happily surprised when my wife and I received a beautifully written Thanksgiving Day card from him and his wife (sometimes the little things go a long way). <br /> This was the kind of person and service I could have only dreamt of finding. Great Service! <br />

Having Russell as a property management is great. Previous property management companies I hired would charge me an arm and a leg for anything! Where as Russell is a lot more understanding. There was an outlet not working in the house and he came out fixed it in ah hour and didn't charge me a dime, other companies I hired charged me to replace a burnt out lightbulb that practically anyone could fix! Overall Russell and Universal Property Management is the way to go in my book. Aloha style service! <br />