portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/states/utah/renting/tenantrights
Upon reading the many disturbing accounts written by more than several current and former tenants of Bill Caldwell that absolutely resonate with my own personal and extremely unsavory experience with this man, I can't help but feel disgusted over the fact that he has gotten as far as he has without undergoing penalty. Perhaps it's time for a class action or mass tort litigation against him? Regrettably, negative reviews, no matter how harsh or how many, haven't as of yet, and aren't going to negatively affect him. The man simply doesn't care what his tenants rightfully think or justifiably state about him in response to his gross disrespect toward and harms against them (he idiotically views renters as intrinsically beneath him), and most folks in search of rental property either don't take the time to research property owners/management prior to renting, or are just in a desperate situation and constrained to renting whatever they can immediately find and scarcely afford.
Google "Utah Renters Handbook" (settings on this page don't permit website entry in comments) to find useful information concerning your rights as a tenant.
The only way to remedy the intentional, unethical and unlawful wrongs meted out by Bill Caldwell and others like him is via formal criminal complaint and civil claim within our court system. Money is the only language he speaks and understands (he worships and bows down to the almighty dollar alone), and so holding him monetarily accountable via court order and judgement is the only way to get his attention and forcefully assure him that he isn't exempt where laws are concerned, no matter how many friends he may have in high places - most judges highly respect, appreciate and rule in favor of self-representing, well-versed, honest and thoroughly prepared plaintiffs (especially if they are the underdog) in cases of landlord criminal negligence, crookedness, etc. Document everything. Maintain proper record (pics, notes of dates and times, etc) of each and every adverse instance you experience with and because of this man. Also, keep in mind that an attorney isn't required to file a civil claim or criminal complaint (for criminal negligence per Utah code and under principles of criminal responsibility, etc) against him, and court filing and service fees can be waived based on financial hardship. Mr. Caldwell, and slumlords/social parasites like him, count on those they injure not filing claims and complaints against them. Social parasites like Mr. Caldwell rely on the false sense of powerlessness that most, if not all of their victims own (those injured are either financially disadvantaged, not well acquainted with the laws, or simply intimidated, thus feel helpless). The following are very useful websites that contain information on landlord legal responsibilities and instruction on how to formally file a criminal complaint and/or civil claim:
Update*
Note: There is always strength in unity. Reach out and get to know fellow aggrieved/injured former and current tenants of Bill Caldwell and support one another.
utcourts.gov/howto/landlord/eviction.html
Rented a house from Bill for 4 years. Had to pay a cleaning deposit. Had to clean the house before I moved in. I was never behind always paid in advance. Rent continued to go up . I found another Real Estate agent and found a better deal on a house much better than the slum he was renting. In order to get out of the lease I had to pay an extra thousand. He said he wanted an additional thousand. I told him the cleaning deposit would take care of that. He said that certain charges were going to be taken out of it. I told him that was my final offer and if he did not take it he was getting nothing. He said OK and said when I was ready he would personally inspect the property. Later on his office called and said they wanted to inspect in the morning. I had almost everything moved when he came. I was cleaning. Then he started with steam cleaning requirements and spackling walls. I told him it was not in the lease. He said yes it was. I pulled the lease from my briefcase and said show me. Once this property shark has his teeth in you. It is hard to escape. Thank God I did!
In the event safety and/or health violations on the rental property are not rectified after you've reported them to Bill Caldwell or to any other agent of Paradigm Real Estate IN WRITING, contact Code Enforcement (also document date and time of call, Code Enforcement Officer/Agent you spoke with, etc.) and provide a detailed account.
Paradigm Real Estate is the best experienced I have ever had renting any property in my life. Bill Caldwell is the Manager, and is the BEST manager I have ever had. Extremely friendly and was always willing to go the extra mile, to help me with any tenant need. I cannot emphasize enough, how much I loved living at this property and my experience with the manager. You cannot find a better manager and living experience.
NEVER permit entry into your rental without being provided 24 hour advance notice (per Utah landlord/tenant law), unless, of course, it's an emergency, and if possible, BE PRESENT, or have a trusted family member or friend in your rental each and every time entry is made.
utcourts.gov/resources/forms/waiver/
When making online rent payments, or whenever signing on to the Paradigm online portal for whatever reason, screen capture ALL account info, including any maintenance requests you submit, and save them (that way, in the event information on the portal is abruptly modified or altered, a new portal is created, or info suddenly vanishes, you still have a personal record of all previously entered information). By "screen capture ALL account info", I mean from the address bar straight down to the date and time stamp on your computer screen. Your screen captures should include entire home page, entire payments page, entire maintenance page, shared documents page, property info page and account profile page, and again, date and time stamp at the bottom of your PC screen. Also, if you have renters insurance, double check whose listed/included as payees or beneficiaries on your coverage immediately after signing your lease, and periodically check that info throughout the entire time you rent from this organization (and/or from any other outfit, for that matter). No joke. That may seem like overemphasizing, but there truly isn’t any such thing as being overly cautious when dealing with this man - simply look at the abundance of other online negative reviews on him as well.
I'm only giving one star because the program requires at least one star. This company is one of the worst slum lord organizations I have ever worked with. I would avoid renting from them at all costs if you value your time, money, or dignity. We lived in a home of theirs for over a year and a half that was in complete disrepair. Every time we submitted a work order, it was like pulling teeth to get someone to come out and help us. We were without hot water for 3 weeks at one point. We were without electricity at one point. They moved in tenants behind us who smoked in our "smoke free" home and this caused our unit to wreak of cigarettes every time we turned the heat on. Please avoid this rental company at any cost.
I can’t stress enough the ABSOLUTE MUST and IMPORTANCE of documenting EVERYTHING when lamentably contracting with Bill Caldwell. Clearly, the reviews on this page alone reflect a substantial number of other renters who’ve also had horrible experiences with this wretched "Real Estate Investor" and his commercial enterprises, Paradigm Real Estate, and Caldwell and Knight Investments, LLC . Nonetheless, if you still decide to contract with him and the commercial veils he hides behind after reading the extremely telling online reviews, in the very least, and immediately upon signing your lease, take pictures of every inch of your rental unit and of the condition in which it was leased to you (if you are renting a house, also take pictures of exterior - outside paint, condition of lawn, etc.), and list in writing ANY and EVERY interior and exterior flaw you find, no matter how slight or minor it may appear, then straightaway submit pics and written list to Bill Caldwell directly (preferably via email) and to his Paradigm office, while safekeeping copies for yourself. Document and save ALL dates and times you contact him or any of his associates for whatever reason (including maintenance guys, receptionists, other brokers, etc.) - KEEP DETAILED RECORD OF THE NATURE OF YOUR CALL AND OF THE RESPONSE YOU RECEIVE, WHO YOU SPOKE WITH, ETC. (although I highly recommend written communication instead of phone calls each and every time you regrettably find yourself having to contact him or his office).
*** Readers, please be wary of positive/5 star reviews (both old and very recent) for this organization - at least one of them (of the mere few) was posted by an agent/employee of a state agency that fiscally contracts with Paradigm Real Estate (see Laura Peters review). While Laura Peters' online review is entirely inappropriate (conflict of interest), nonetheless, on this page sits her misleading review. Her comment has been flagged as tasteless and insensitive by numerous folks who actually know better via their first hand observation of and interaction with the owner of Paradigm Real Estate, as actual lessees or renters that have either previously occupied, or are currently occupying properties owned and/or managed by Paradigm Real Estate in Ogden. Also take notice of the obvious and very awkward hyperbole contained within yet another recent, and particularly zealous 5star review on this outfit. ***
Paradigm Real Estate is a US Real Estate Agency based in Ogden, Utah. Paradigm Real Estate is located at 2661 Washington Blvd #101, Ogden, UT 84401, USA.
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