Wednesday, December 6, 2017

Here is an interesting Update on AUM

A reader brought to my attention the below via email and some minor research confirmed the info.  

You might want to direct your comments to those email addresses listed below:

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Sent: 12/6/2017 2:33:56 A.M. Eastern Standard Time
Subj: Fwd: Inquiry about AUM

Hello, 

AUM is now owned by RealPage. Please put the emails of their executive management team on your blog. These people may actually be able to enact change at AUM.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Nick X <redacted@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, Dec 5, 2017 at 11:29 PM

Subject: Inquiry about AUM

To: steve.winn@realpage.com, andrew.blount@realpage.com, michael.britti@realpage.com, william.chaney@realpage.com, ashley.glover@realpage.com, david.monk@realpage.com, catherine.mason@realpage.com, mark.zanders@realpage.com, lauren.tauchen@realpage.com, Rob.Traycoff@RealPage.com



Please, if you have any integrity at all, have a look at what your customers have to say about you:
https://www.yelp.com/biz/american-utility-management-los-angeles


Would it hurt a big company like AUM to begin fair and transparent billing practices rather than working with property management companies to rip off tenants?

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RealPage® Acquires American Utility Management (AUM)



Acquisition Enhances Utility Billing Platform and Expands Energy Management Functionality

RICHARDSON, Texas (June 19, 2017) – RealPage, Inc. (NASDAQ:RP) today announced that it has acquired substantially all of the assets of American Utility Management (AUM), a leading provider of utility and energy management solutions for the multifamily housing industry. The acquisition expands the company’s Resident Utility Management (RUM) platform providing billing, invoice processing and bill payment services to over 2.5 million rental units. AUM also offers an energy management platform that allows property owners and managers to gain better insights into energy consumption and costs relative to peers.
Since 1994, AUM has been a premier utility management and energy services partner to the multifamily housing industry. AUM helps maximize cost recovery, reduce energy usage and expense, save time and resources, and provide the tools operators of rental real estate need to manage their utilities more effectively. AUM’s exclusive financial advisor was Houlihan Lokey. Visit www.aum-inc.com to learn more.
Comments on the News
Steve Winn, Chairman and CEO of RealPage
“I am excited to join forces with the AUM team. We believe this acquisition will provide more scale to our resident billing operations, lowering our costs to deliver the platform so we can focus on improving innovation and product quality for our clients. In addition, AUM has developed an energy management platform that enables operators to benchmark energy consumption and cost against their peers. By combining data captured by RealPage with the data available from AUM, we expect to create the largest and most accurate database of utility consumption and cost data in the industry. Generating actionable insights from that data is what RealPage does best. This is another example of how our data analytics capabilities and depth of real-time data can help owners optimize yields on their real estate assets. We will also be adding approximately 200,000 new rental units.”
Michael Miller, President and Chief Executive Officer of AUM
“We have become the go-to resource for innovative utility management solutions in the rental housing industry. As part of RealPage, we will expand the scope of solutions that we can offer to our clients including vastly expanded meter installation and maintenance capabilities. RealPage will continue to support the billing engine and customized billing methods used by our clients. AUM personnel have been hired by RealPage so that there will be no disruption in service to our customers.”
Financial Highlights
The purchase price of approximately $70 million is subject to certain working capital adjustments and post-acquisition indemnification claims. AUM possessed revenue of approximately $30 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. RealPage expects the acquisition to contribute approximately $15 million in revenue and an Adjusted EBITDA range of $2 – $3 million during 2017. Integration work is expected to be completed by the end of 2018 at which time the company expects the purchase price valuation to represent approximately 7 times Adjusted EBITDA. The AUM team will report to Jason Lindwall, Senior Vice President, Property Management Solutions for RealPage. Mr. Lindwall leads RealPage’s Spend Management and Resident Utility Management solutions.
About RealPage, Inc.
RealPage is a leading global provider of software and data analytics to the real estate industry. Clients use our platform to improve operating performance and increase capital returns. Founded in 1998 and headquartered in Richardson, Texas, RealPage currently serves over 11,200 clients worldwide from offices in North America, Europe and Asia. For more information about the company, visit https://www.realpage.com.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains “forward-looking” statements relating to RealPage, Inc.’s expected, possible or assumed future results, expectations regarding increases in scale and reductions in cost to be achieved through the AUM acquisition, the combined size and accuracy of the database that will result from the acquisition, the acquisition’s contributions to revenue and EBITDA, and the time to complete integration of the acquisition, as well as expectations regarding the purchase price valuation as a multiple of Adjusted EBITDA after completion of integration. These forward-looking statements are based on management’s beliefs and assumptions and on information currently available to management. Forward-looking statements include all statements that are not historical facts and may be identified by terms such as “expects,” “believes,” “plans,” or similar expressions and the negatives of those terms. Those forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Additional factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, the following: (a) the possibility that general economic conditions, including leasing velocity or uncertainty, could cause information technology spending, particularly in the rental housing industry, to be reduced or purchasing decisions to be delayed; (b) an increase in insurance claims; (c) an increase in customer cancellations; (d) the inability to increase sales to existing customers and to attract new customers; (e) RealPage, Inc.’s failure to integrate acquired businesses and any future acquisitions successfully or to achieve expected synergies; (f) the timing and success of new product introductions by RealPage, Inc. or its competitors; (g) changes in RealPage, Inc.’s pricing policies or those of its competitors; (h) legal or regulatory proceedings; (i) the inability to achieve revenue growth or to enable margin expansion; and (j) such other risks and uncertainties described more fully in documents filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) by RealPage Inc., including its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q previously filed with the SEC on May 8, 2017. All information provided in this release is as of the date hereof and RealPage Inc. undertakes no duty to update this information except as required by law.

Sunday, November 26, 2017

Just a minor addition of an incoming from a reader and also please note that a better email address to reach me is:  Harris2018@aol.com  Thanks for reading!

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Sent: Sat, Nov 25, 2017 4:46 pm
Subject: aum Sucks Blog
Ms/Mr Harris:
I just saw your blog and wanted to say “Thanks!” for maintaining the information for the Internet population.
I recently moved into an apartment property using aum and I am glad to know what I will be up against.
I would like to pass along some advice I received from the office of a State Senator in Texas about a very bad apartment management company.  I was advised to file a complaint with the District Attorney’s Office in Texas.  Also, ask as many people as possible to do the same thing.  Reasons, if enough people file a complaint with the DA’s Office about a single company, the DA’s Office will have to investigate the company.  If only one person files a complaint, the DA’s Office will consider it an isolated event and the person is just mad.
I have filed complaints with the DA in my home state and the DA in the state where the company is headquarters, etc.  The more people who know, the better to get the attention of someone who wants to be re-elected!
Good Luck with your Quest!  It is tough, but keep in mind, the goal is to not let the bastards win.

___________________________

Attn:  Blog Readers - 

I have said about all that can be said about this bottom feeding bunch of crooks, have said it for years based on my own personal experience.  I no longer update this blog for the simple reason that nothing has changed with this firm and probably nothing ever will change.  They have found a way to rip off consumers and get away with it.  

If you are buying a condo or renting an apartment you MUST first check and see if AUM is doing their utility billing.  If they are then DO NOT buy that condo or rent in that apartment complex as you will be cheated and lied to by this company.

I've said this for years and I routinely send my blog site info to all the AUM email addresses I can come up with and so far they have not sued me for libel or slander, that alone should tell you all you need to know about this company.

The site will probably not be updated with any regularity but it is here and open so that anyone who googles AUM can find out about these crooks.

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Misc Note of 1/4/17:  
I have added at the very end of this blog the US District Court for the Central Dist of Calif case of:
Nekole Rucker v. American Utility Management (2:12 CV- 9935-R-PJW) - filed 11/20/12, asking for 'class action' status, this case was settled and dismissed 8/12/13, might be worth taking a look at the basic complaint.

OR, it might be easier to use this link to go to another of my blog sites dedicated just to this case, use:  http://americanutilitymgmtsucks.blogspot.com/


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5/30/16
(Note:  Post Card above dates from about 2008)

Read up on how American Utility Management cheats condo owners and apartment renters out of thousands of dollars with bogus bills and unjustified fees!

Although as of Jan. 2013 I am no longer an owner at Nautilus Cove Condo in Panama City Beach, Florida, and have no current connection with AUM this blog site might be of interest to you if you have AUM as your utility billing firm.  I have found them to be cheats and frauds and so have a lot of other people. 
_____________________

Consumers - Know your enemy:


Our AUM Team


"AUM’s Senior Management Team includes a mix of long-standing multifamily industry experts along with top-level talent from other businesses to ensure we provide the most innovative, holistic solutions for our clients.  From our Account Managers and Invoice Processors to our Senior Executives, we are committed to being the premier utility management and energy services partner to the multifamily industry."

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KNOW WHO IT IS THAT IS SCREWING YOU!Ownership:


Michael MillerBob Malpasuto Dave CarpenterDan Witte
Michael MillerBob MalpasutoDave CarpenterDan Witte
President and Chief Executive OfficerChief Financial OfficerChief Strategy OfficerExecutive Vice President

Management



Mark Coffman   Mark Coffman
   Chief Operating Officer
Linda Alperin Linda Alperin
 Chief Revenue Officer

Pat AhernPat Bosi Dimitris KapsisJeffrey Peterson        
Pat Ahern Pat BosiDimitris KapsisJeffrey Peterson
Executive Vice President, Finance Executive Vice President, People and PerformanceChief Energy OfficerExecutive Vice President,
General Counsel
List updated 7/25/17 - Why not give all of them the benefit of your opinion of their crappy company?  I email them regularly and you should also.  

Reach out for them at:

malpo@aum-inc.com,
catherine.mason@realpage.com, 
mark.zanders@realpage.com, 
lauren.tauchen@realpage.com, 
Rob.Traycoff@RealPage.com,
JKenneally@aum-inc.com, 
mcroce@aum-inc.com
tnicholson@aum-inc.com
dvintika@aum-inc.com,  
kkielma@aum-inc.com
gtito@aum-inc.com
ikhan@aum-inc.com
bricobene@aum-inc.com
pflanigan@aum-inc.com
cedwards@aum-inc.com
mpiraino@aum-inc.com
saderholt@aum-inc.com
dmyrick@aum-inc.com

Ownership

Company Overview

American Utility Management Inc. provides energy and utility management services for residential customers, and property owners and managers. It provides residential billing, which includes on-time billing, real-time reporting, system integration, training, and telephone coverage services. The company also offers energy solutions that include rate and tariff analysis, energy commodity procurement, facilities utility analysis, alternative energy solutions, and strategic energy planning; AUMScore, a multifamily energy benchmarking tool that enables property owners to compare their properties' energy usage across their portfolios and the multifamily industry; and bill payment services.
2211 South York Road
Suite 320
Oak Brook, IL 60523
United States
Founded in 1994
Phone:
866-520-1245
Fax:
603-218-1401

Key Executives For American Utility Management Inc.

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
President and Chief Operating Officer
Chief Financial Officer
Chief Strategic Officer
Executive Vice President of Operations
Compensation as of Fiscal Year 2016.

___________________________


UPDATE 1/3/17 from YELP


  • 1.0 star rating
    12/1/2016
     I agree with Don M. DO NOT move into a property that uses aum-inc.com. Obviously, if you are reading this, it is probably too late. People do not know anything about this company until they have to deal with a bill. BUT, please write another Yelp about your experience. This is sometimes the only way to put a spotlight on companies that gouge people with obnoxious and unjustified fees just because they can.

    This is a company that hides behind lease contracts to gouge and rape tenants who live at properties that do business with them. Don't take my word for it, just check out the almost 100 single star, highly negative reviews below this one. The story is consistent. Here is another resource to educate yourselves on how these thieves do business. aumsucks.blogspot.com

    Here is how it works. The owners of your property contract with AUM to bill tenants directly for shared utilities (water, sewer, trash) and in some cases for residential utilities. Within your lease (which probably looks like an imitation of War and Peace) is fine print that says you have to pay AUM or else. Since it is integrated as a contractual item within your lease, you are forced to comply with the terms or you will be in violation of your lease. That's right, you can actually be evicted because of this as I was threatened with exactly that.

    AUM knows this, and they leverage this brutally, pragmatically, unfairly and in some cases probably illegally. Their late fee is $9 (which is typically 15-40% of the billed amount) and they charge $8 for the convenience of paying a bill online or over the phone with a cc or debit card. I believe the accounting behind the billed amounts are also inflated, but who audits/oversees these motherfu%^&*ers? I am going to find out, that is for sure.

    +++Note: I paid my bill today, 12/1/16, and I only had to pay $2.99 for the convenience fee, which is still a scumbag ripoff, but not as bad as $7.99. Do not know if they were successfully sued to change this fee, or this is the amount that they charge through their contract with my particular property. This could also be a Cali thing. Do not know.

    I mean, in my case, the braintrust at essexapartmenthomes.com have threatened me with EVICTION over a bill that amounts to about $200 at this point. This represents about 3/4 of a percent of the value of my 1 year lease with them. This also includes about $50 in late fees that I will never pay. I never paid the original bill, but my name was never in their system (AUM's) so I never actually got it.

    In any case, I am trying to get the LA Times to do an investigation into this company and trying to find out whether they can be sued in a class action based on legal precedent here in Los Angeles. Will update this review with any news.
  • 1.0 star rating
    11/21/2016
     This company is the worst. If you need a few days till you can pay your bill on time but don't have enough days to mail your check without it being late, your only option is to pay online. Paying online is great! Most companies have this option and its a win- win! Your bill isn't late and their payment is received instantly! BUT they charge $7.99 to do it?! EIGHT DOLLARS TO PAY THEM MORE EFFICIENTLY?! A dollar or two would still be ridiculous but not a big deal and wouldn't have so many angry residents. I pay so much more for my water bills than anyone else I know. This company is a disgusting example of price gouging and taking advantage of renters.

    The first and only time I tried to pay online, after I realized it was my due date and I had forgotten to mail out my check, I was having trouble finding my account number so I called them but since they're based in Illinois and I live in Oregon their office was closed at 4pm pacific time and alas my payment was received late with a nice late fee along with it. With the amount they charge for online payments they can't afford to staff a few 24/7 customer service people in a phone room?!
  • 1.0 star rating
    12/17/2016
      I also agree with EVERYONE else, if a building uses this company, DO NOT rent from them. Moved into my new apt and my bill was.. get this.. 180$. Um. What. And you have no option but to pay it otherwise you are in violation of your lease. I've dealt with these utility management companies before but these prices are GOUGED.

    Now how do we report them to the BBB or file a class action, because their business practices are totally backwards. 7.99 processing fee, ridiculous rates, poor customer service and they make it very difficult to pay your bill. In 2016, I find these practices horrendous and they are ripping people off. Plain and simple.






















































































































UPDATE  5/15/16:
Here are a few of the newer YELP reviews about the scumbags at AUM.  

There are now 72 YELP reviews, all one star, so be sure and go over there and add your own review to the site.


https://www.yelp.com/biz/american-utility-management-los-angeles 

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Ian A.
Plymouth, MI  4/28/2016

From Plymouth, MI, and I'll add the same: DO NOT RENT AT APARTMENT COMPLEXES THAT USE THIS CROOKED COMPANY! The complaints in this State about AUM are the same as everywhere else: you will be overcharged by them, your payments lost, and should you choose to pay online (like most companies allow for FREE these days), you will be price-gouged for it at a rate of $7.99 per bill payment! Really, it's only a matter of time before a class-action lawsuit is raised against these thieves.


As another person stated, ask each apartment complex if they use AUM before moving in, and if they do, RUN.
 


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Doggin L.

Hollywood, Los Angeles, CA  3/15/2016

PLEASE ask the manager of an apartment you are thinking about renting if they use AUM - if they do then DO NOT RENT FROM THEM. As much as you want the place, tell them you will NOT rent from them because they support AUM. Known offenders who make you sign up for AUM are PAC properties in the valley. They dropped the fact we would have to pay AUM fees at the last moment. 


Trust me, AUM is NOT the norm - it is a scam designed to STEAL your money.


If I could find a way, I would spend my entire life to shut down this company of scammers. The more research you do, the more you realize how sketchy and illegal this entire company should be. I haven't had to deal with AUM in years and if I do, I will go to court.


research, research, research - these criminals need to be shut down.


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Qiao S.

Evanston, IL 3/10/2016

I want to give negative 100 stars. This company is rubbish, I am not at home for one month, they still charges me 30 dollars for trash and 14 dollars for gas.


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Pedro O.

Atlanta, GA 1/27/2016

They charges an extra fee to pay online is alright, but 7.5 dollars extra? Really,  around 15% extra just be able to pay?