Avoid this company at all costs ESPECIALLY, if you...

Avoid this company at all costs ESPECIALLY, if you are a renter.

I'm currently renting from this company and I am 6 months into my lease which started September 2020. Within the first week, the water randomly shut off within my unit (split house). I reported it immediately. This continued until January of 2021 after needing to file a complaint with DCRA and they were found in violation.

EJF lacks the ability to be proactive and communicate unless the owners of the properties they manage need or want something (because, their allegiance is to owners and not renters). As a renter, I feel like a means to an end for EJF to maintain that relationship to the owner of this property--the owner wants their rental income. There was little concern for when I didn't have access to an important utility---water. From the time of the repair being completed (January 2021), until now--my partner and I have been frequently contacted by EJF's maintenance and rental teams without little peace. I can fundamentally say, that we've had less than a month of solitude (no working water, constant communication about resolving maintenance issues by phone and e-mail, having workers in and out of our unit) since moving in our unit.

All the while, we've paid rent and have tried to be responsible and responsive tenants. I will say this again, absolutely avoid this company if you are planning to rent.

The $35 monthly Residents Benefit Package is a scam, we've yet to receive an air filter in the 6 months we've been here. When we've had the water issue, we've called and the only concern of the person on the other end was whether or not the water came back on and not necessarily what the larger issue was.

As a SWE that has worked for SaaS companies, I'll guess that the $35 most likely pays for your access to the tenant portal. I'd much rather keep that $35 and just mail them a check if that's the case.

Also, please know, that a landlord is required to give you 48 hours notice before they want to enter your unit and you have the right to refuse non-urgent repairs due to COVID.

Lastly, if you decide that you want to rent out a property OR rent a property in Washington, DC---you should work with a company that sources all of their employees from your local area because, having people that are local would lead to their ability to understand what climate you are in and provide greater empathy when you say.. don't have water!