Invitation Homes review: Multiple work orders

My experience with Invitation Homes has been extremely disappointing. Over approximately 8 months, I submitted more than 30 work orders, averaging about four per month, for ongoing maintenance and property issues. Unfortunately, many problems required repeated follow-up, extended wait times, or continued service after supposedly being resolved.

Some of the issues I experienced included:

A kitchen that was not fully functional for multiple months due to plumbing issues and previous water damage that was not cared for or addressed before renting the house
A period of about 2-3 months without a functioning kitchen sink, requiring me to wash dishes in the bathtub.
Repeated issues with an electrical outlet being removed from the kitchen backsplash, leaving exposed wiring next to the kitchen sink.
The kitchen outlet was without appropriate GFCI protection for an extended period.
Being without a refrigerator for approximately one month shortly after moving in, ultimately requiring me to rent one at my own expense. Invitation homes would not advise an ETA or the process
Rebuilding the HVAC unit base due to it beginning to fall through along with leaks in the HVAC system
Multiple plumbing problems and other recurring maintenance issues.
Discovering cockroaches inside the bottom of the refrigerator and their feces throughout the house
Numerous other maintenance concerns that required work orders and repeated follow-up.

What has been most frustrating is not simply that problems occurred, but the amount of time and effort required on my part to repeatedly report the issues, follow up, wait for repairs, and deal with problems returning after repairs were supposedly completed. Their customer service is subpar and they do not provide phone numbers to speak to anyone other than an agent at the call center.

Throughout all of this, I continued to pay my rent in full and meet my financial obligations as a tenant, despite significant periods when I could not fully use or enjoy the home as I should have been able to.

I have kept photographs, work-order records, correspondence, and other documentation of these issues. After months of dealing with recurring maintenance problems and safety concerns, I ultimately decided that I could no longer continue living under these circumstances and will be vacating the property.

I had expected a safe, functional, and properly maintained home. Instead, a substantial portion of my tenancy has been spent dealing with maintenance issues and the frustration of trying to get them resolved.

Based on my experience, I would not recommend Invitation Homes to anyone looking for a reliable and stress-free rental experience. Prospective tenants should carefully consider the level of maintenance and customer service they may receive before signing a lease.

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