FirstService Residential - Irvine - Irvine, California

Kirk K.

This has been one of the most frustrating companies I’ve ever had to deal with. It’s nearly impossible to reach anyone, and when you finally do, the information they provide is often inaccurate and unhelpful. I’ve repeatedly had to research and explain our own CC&Rs just to get basic issues addressed within our community. I would strongly advise against using this company for your HOA.

** Response to below comment**

This complaint is not about the painting company that was hired to do subpar work in our community—that’s an entirely separate issue, though yet another example of poor decisions made by First Residential. What I’m referring to here is the repeated submission of simple service requests over the span of several months with no resolution.

This situation clearly reflects the company's priorities: maintaining a polished public image rather than actually addressing resident concerns. The fact that they found time to respond to a Google review, yet have still not replied to my issue or the multiple emails I’ve sent, is frankly insulting. It's clear they are more focused on appearing responsive than actually being responsive.

It’s no surprise they have such poor reviews and negative experiences shared by so many of their customers.

Alyx H.

Keep charging me late fee without notification and even I set up autopay already. What else do you want me to do with it? I have never see any company like you, also the website doesn’t show any breakdown of my bill statement. The only way to show is from the paper statement? What? Are we living in 90s or something? Government really needs to come over and address the late fee issue. This is illegal.

Samantha D.

I just have to brag on our amazing concierge ladies. There seems to be a lot of recent turnover at Aqua, even during this time they remain resilient, positive and resident focused. Being welcomed home by this crew is the icing on top. I’d like to specially call out Donna and her willingness to go above and beyond not only for the residents, but my guests. Being a new mom, I had great confidence in visiting guests being able to go to the lobby and being assisted promptly and by someone willing to help. Tami and Antwane are also always willing to help and always greet me with a warm smile and happy reaction. I know a service based role, like the one these ladies work can be tiring, trying and at time defeating, but you would never know the days they’re having a hard time. Truly grateful for them as well as the housekeeping staff that keep Aqua functioning and in order on a day to day basis.

Erika W. P.

DO NOT LEASE FROM PARKSIDE! PARKING PERMITS IS RIDICULOUS!
I have been dealing with this Hoa for the past week regarding a parking pass. We have lived here for 7 years and they changed the parking policy over time. So now the community must either cram their cars into the garage and park all cars in their driveway. Regardless of the size. Well, how we found is out first hand, a disabled senior member of our family got cited in front our home. Now the kicker is. There is only two handicapped parking spots on the property on the other side of community. Completely out of sight and walking distance from my home. Which is a distance for the senior to park overnight. He has parked here for 7 years with his handicap placard. And now he has to worry about getting towed. Well now our daughter moved home, a minor and they are giving us HELL and run around for a permit. I have emailing them because they won't call you. Which is absolutely zero, customer service! Especially when you have expressed the urgency of your concern of the issue. Our permit is expiring and we did not want the car towed. No concern just email! We will pay for the permit. It's to the point that we are moving because we tired of the Hoa not picking on every little thing. Trash cans , satellite dish, how to park in driveway, camera for ring, patio enclosure.
I mean every single thing! Funny part! All of this either built by the owner or is not our home! It's the wrong address but the HOA is sending messages to our landlord. 💯 harassment. First Residential has not always been the same but since they have taken over many families have moved out because of their rules and compliance, especially PARKING REGULATIONS!
This Family is Leaving!

Nicholas R.

First City Residential, the company managing HOAs in California, increased the monthly dues without proper notification and then charged late fees to the balance every month. There were also no notifications to homeowners that there was a late fee balance that compounded interest. They sent an email on 2 November 2023 with an attachment. The attachment in the fine print said that the fees for next year will be $340 compared to the previous year's $325. Nothing in the body of the email said fees were going up, nor was anything in the subject line about an increase. Most of the time, I don't open attachments from senders because they might contain malicious code or viruses, which is why I didn't open the attachment when I got the email.

Many people probably didn't know the fees were going up and were not notified that there was an outstanding balance. They are collecting many late payments, and FirstService Residential must inform the residents of the fees.

Bellow was their response.

Dear Customer: We received your follow up to the original complaint you submitted to the BBB regarding the 2024 monthly assessment increase for the Treviana at Lomas Verdes Homeowners Association and alleged improper notification sent to the members. Please note, FirstService Residential ("FirstService") is a third-party management company that provides contract management services to Treviana at Lomas Verdes Homeowners Association at the direction of the Association's Board of Directors. The Board of Directors are elected officials, who have the decision-making authority to respond to all requests from Members of the Association.

Adrenalinwill U.

By far the worse management company out there. The Strand, a community of $10-$50 M homes in Dana Point fired them for simple incompetence. Stick with Keystone, at least the monster corporation has community managers that care. Just sad.

Dan J.

We pay into not one but two HOA’s run by First Service. Since purchasing this house in ‘23 First Service has not been helpful or communicative when it comes to issues. I purchased this house which had existing violations dating back years. I had to call email and beg their design review to make changes to my house for approved colors etc. It is impossible to get someone on the phon or to respond to email. If someone does respond it is often weeks later. They seem to turn over staff frequently which doesn’t help in the communication loop.

They seem to have no rhyme or reason when it comes to selecting who gets violations. We have neighbors with trash and dead plants all over their yard, but nothing happens.

It is an incredible waste of money for me to pay into this “service” for the results being delivered.

Jim C.

In response to FSR, you just don't get it. I mentioned "without proper notice". I mentioned "to not put out a notice". I have asked to see "any document" stating there will be a $3.00 charge.
I certainly understand fees rise but to raise them without proper notice is unprofessional. It is NOT the $3.00.
I had to ask FSR 3 times for the amount of funds in the Reserve Fund bank account. I have yet to get an answer as to what banks the funds are in after 2 months. In one area of the community, $61,000 was in 12 different banks! Yes, 12 banks!

This is just the latest in a long line of complaints I have with FSR in Irvine. If I could rate them ZERO, I would. I belong to 3 other HOAs that are run just fine with NO problems.
Today, I tried to pay my HOA dues online via my checking account just as I have done every month for many years. Starting today and without proper notice by FSR, there is a $3.00 fee to pay dues online by check (ACH, not credit or debit card) effectively raising my dues without legal notice. This fee has NEVER been charged before. The $3.00 is not the issue, but the proper way to do things by these people is. To not put out a notice of some kind is just incompetence. I have asked to see any document stating there would be a $3.00 fee to pay dues online starting in August 2024... crickets.