Coco Bird II

CocoBird is conveniently located in the heart of Coconut Grove with Flanigans, Home Depot, Milam’s, Gardners Market, and CocoWalk all within a few minutes walking distance. It’s great location and a pretty well kept property — but at the tenants expense.
6 months ago the SO and I found a «For Rent» sign on this little gem and thought we hit the jackpot. Perfect location, small complex with only 12 units and a below market rent? It’s almost too good to be true — and it was. I can’t complain too much about the property other than the fact that even our larger unit was a bit small for two of us and storage space is non-​existent but the real catch here is the landlord, Manuel Sertzen. You see, he likes to pretend that he doesn’t speak English very well even though he understands and speaks just fine — all the better to lie and cheat you. He also likes to pretend that he’s got multiple business partners that he must run operation decisions by. Although you may find it interesting that these partners are all completely silent and invisible until… well, we’ll get there.
Manuel has a great scheme — a elderly «office manager», Marilyn, who works off-​site in Broward that he will direct any issues you have toward. Marilyn will then tell you that the request is not within her responsibilities and that you’ve got to work it out directly with Manuel. You’ll then contact Manuel, again, who will run it by his «partners.» Funny because Manuel is at the property weekly, checking on things, doing repairs and generally being nosy. It’s not uncommon for him to question you about which neighbors are having guests and why they have them. But, back on topic of these mysterious «partners» that you never see, per Miami Dade County Property Records (
), Manuel and his wife are the only owners:
Summary Details: Folio No.: 01−4116−001−0010
Property: 3007 BIRD AVE
Mailing Address: MANUEL & LILLIAN SERTZEN
41 DUCHESS DR ORANGE BURG NY 10 963
So it’s all really just a rouse to waste your time and ultimately, find a non-​sense reason to take your deposit and demand more money from the tenants for repairs and upkeep that aren’t the tenants responsibility.
Even though I went out of my way to help Manuel with advice on adding security cameras or helping him to upgrade his two 70’s garage door clickers into a handy dual control key chain or even his delighted response as to how well I was maintaining our unit during a maintenance visit, when it came time to leave last month he turned on me and I saw what the other tenants were warning me all along. He claims that the new carpet he installed in the master and ONLY bedroom 6 months prior needs replaced again. You know, because my trained SERVICE ANIMAL who also isn’t allowed in the room when we’re not in the house made it reek of dog piss and dog — to the point «everyone can smell it.» All in 6 months. So EVERYONE notices it when they walk in but during our exit walk through together he had to get on his hands and knees and stuff his nose into the carpet at the doorway only to smell nothing? Oh and that 2 dollar piece of plastic missing from the towel rack (which was never there) is being taken out of my deposit too. This guy is a cheap ass who does all the repairs and maintenance himself and will STILL make you pay for it.
I can NEVER recommend anyone to live here because of him. And my lawyers will help him see the light that he can’t charge me for wear and tear — it’s in my lease. What a shitty way to treat a clean, quality tenant…