Zeman Homes
reviews and complaints

The management staff was very rude, unprofessional and outright liars. I was taken to court and illegally evicted over a $50 late fee that I absolutely did not owe. The first time we went to court, the case was dismissed because I was still living there and current on my rent. They took me back and this time lied on me but I lost the case because of my attorneys argument, stating that late fees couldn't be included in/ with rent and it absolutely can be. Her argument should have been that I did not owe a late fee because I didn't. I have picture proof of my rent being paid on time and that it was all based off of false pretenses. Me and my children have been homeless for 5yr's and unable to rent a home because of this eviction and now it's getting in the way of me purchasing my home.

After three years of telling the office how scared I am, find out an active felon is behind it. The only one for miles. They said his temporary back to back plates didn’t concern them. Expired every time. According to the police this is a huge concern that management isn’t aware of the reason. Active meaning recent. Abuse on women and cops right outside my door. I was promised no felons, he’s lived here the whole time. Required we supply information to be run for a Zeman window sticker. They don’t have those stickers. They rent from her mother, rats! Dogs locked inside now because they have no tags 4.

3 cats and three kids! They also took a down payment on a house I never received a word, lost money to who? Manager! This property has gone to drugs and thugs. Walk thru, you will run!

When I purchased my home on October 13, 2020, the contract stated I was paying for the home and a carport. The carport had not been started so I was concerned that money was not "held in escrow" until the work was completed. I was assured it would be completed.

In June, after living here nine months, I requested my car port to be completed. I felt I had logical reason to request the completion since three of the neighbors on my street had their work done and they moved in 5 months after me.

Management said the completion would be delayed due to:
- the vendor did not have workers and could not finish the work
- there were a lack of supplies due to COVID

When asked why my work was not done before the other owners, they stated, "there are a few of you who are still waiting". (?)

In August, I asked again when the work would be completed and they said:
- the vendor did not have workers and could not finish the work
- there were a lack of supplies due to COVID

In late September, I noticed that several of the vacant homes in the neighborhood had beautifully completed carports. I sent an email to the corporate offices of Zeman. On October 6, after two requests, I received a call from Danielle from the corporate office. She said the work was delayed because
- the vendor did not have workers and could not finish the work
- there were a lack of supplies due to COVID

After sharing my facts, Danielle assured me the work would be done by the end of the week. Since I had not heard from any one regarding the work before my October rent was due, I did not pay my rent. The work was completed October 8, 2021. It was not done to my satisfaction but I cannot complain since it was actually completed.

I called Danielle at Zeman to say I would pay my October rent with my November rent but I asked them to waive the $135 late fee since the late payment was due to the incomplete carport. She refused. This time Danielle said that the awning on my carport was completed in 2020 and they were not required to complete the additional features so, there was really no delay. Yes, the awning was put up in 2020, but:

1. If the work in question was considered "additional" and "not required", why wait until now to mention it?
2. Why did every other home in the community get a "complete" carport including these "additional" and "not required" features without requesting them or paying additional funds? I have neighbors that will confirm these facts.

She said "we are just going to have to disagree on that point". Danielle was discourteous and disrespectful during the entire conversation. She was yelling frequently and NEVER offered one word of apology or empathy.

Background: The completion of my car port is the ONLY request I made all year. 100% of my rent has been paid on time until October.

Sincerely,
Susan Vernier
30067 Evergreen Court
Chesterfield, MI 48051
[protected]

I found a buyer for my home in July of 2021. She applied to Zeman Homes and for over a month she could not get an answer regarding her background check. She called and left messages and no one returned her calls. I called several times and left messages trying to ensure that I did not break any rules while attempting to sale the house. Today 9/13/2021 she was told that she was not approved but was not given a reason.

(Ed Zeman-owner) Zeman Homes, Inc located at 6547 North Avondale Avenue
Chicago, IL 60631 owns many communities such as: Blackhawk Estates (DesPlaines, IL), Creek Ridge (Dwight, IL), Rockland (Lake Bluff, IL), Farmington Estates (Park City, IL), Kingsway Estates (Beach Park, IL), Forest View (Loves Park, IL), RoseBud (Bridgeview, IL), Southwest Estates (Worth, IL), Town & Country (Des Plaines, IL), Valley Oaks (Hodgkins, IL), Willoway Terrace (Arlington Heights, IL) along with Arizona, California, Florida, Indiana & Michigan.
If you rent a site (or one of their mobile homes) here is what to expect:
Late after the 6th day of the month $50 late fee (standard in renting), BUT after the 17th of the month charged an additional $35. Finally after the end of 1 month if rent still not paid then you are charged $650 PLUS (attorney fees and eviction starts).

Most of their employees are rude and extremely unprofessional (the employees will answer your calls on speaker). If you own your mobile home they will remove the skirt and enter underneath without your permission (trespassing). Zeman will not keep grass cut (on regular basis), community plowed when it snows. They only care about the money (none of your needs)... If you owe them money they call you, but if not they will ignore all your concerns.

IF you are renting with Zeman Homes, Inc and having problems of any sort I advise you contact the Village, State, County for their assistance in any way. Let's stick together and start contacting the local governmental agencies to STOP these bad tactics. I will be posting to as many sites alerting everyone about this A-hole landlord/company.