Aruba Villa/Home Rental

I rented this house (http://www.4beachnuts.com/property/1027 or http://www.flipkey.com/properties/view/137314/small+villa+next+to+golf+club+minutes+to+palm+beac/) from the owner, Penny McCutcheon, in June 2009. Reviews were positive, owner seemed nice. I asked my brother and my mother-in-law to go in on the property, which they did. When we arrived, the following was wrong with it:

- sewage smell inside house

- propane smell inside house

- grill is fully rusted on the outside

- there was a dead frog in the pool

- there was a dead lizard in the pool intake

- the a/c in master bedroom 2 does not work

- the microwave can not be run for more than 40 seconds without tripping the circuit breaker

- overgrown weeds by the pool

- wash machine not hooked up

- there is no dryer

- a ceiling fan doesn't work

- red stinging ants in master bedroom 2

Yes, ants. My wife and I were forced to take mattress from small bedroom and sleep on living room floor. My in-laws (who paid for a room) were forced to get a room at the Holiday Inn.

I've asked the owner multiple times via email and phone for a refund. She repeatedly says "I'll make it right", but it's now going on three weeks since I first contacted her and she balks at having to refund the money for the house and the hotel, which her property's condition is directly responsible for. The last time I heard from her was one week ago.

After day 3, she moved us to a recently vacated house (a lucky break on her part). She claims that since she moved us to a nicer house, she shouldn't have to pay a full refund.

I've informed Penny that I am Aruban, and that we went to Aruba to have my daughter baptized there. Arubans will not tolerate being taken advantage of, and I'm currently working with AHATA (Aruba Hotel and Tourism Association), as well as relatives I have in government offices and banks to have any business license permanently revoked. She responded by saying she has friends in the government (as if they would stand by and watch fellow Arubans get screwed over) and that she gives to Aruban charities.

Consequently, a group of nice Canadians stayed at another property of hers (http://www.flipkey.com/properties/view/137313/elegant+designer+villa+with+pool+/) and were less than pleased. They also had problems contacting the owner. My only regret is that I did not get their contact information.

I would simply leave a negative review of the property, but I rented it when it was listed on Homeaway.com (it's since been removed - Homeaway.com won't tell me why).

I am resorting to everything I can before giving in to filing suit. I have written to the Texas BBB and every complaint website I can find to put pressure on Penny McCutcheon.

Do not do business with this woman. Her houses are overpriced, she passes the blame over and over, and she avoids all contact with her unhappy customers.

Comment On This

http://search.har.com/engine/1100-Upper-Vann-Rd-Coldspring-TX-77331_HAR32353601.htm

Listing price: $8.5million

Property Tax Value: $1.5million

Comment On This

Unfortunately, we also rented from Penny only at

safir 39. Two days before leaving for Aruba, I received a phone call from her attorney telling me that her husband now has control of the properties and he was unaware that we had rented from her. He agreed to let us stay. Upon arrival, the yard was overgrown with weeds, the septic had a leak, the home had no phone which means no cable or security system. We were unable to access the studio apt in the back of the house and it had no airconditioning as stated. The grill was also rusted, no tv in living room, it had been stolen when the house had been broken in to. I wish I had seen your complaint before I rented from her. She is a great con artist. Up to 2 days before our trip, she told me everything was fine. That is when she would call you back. She also knew we were traveling with 4 children under the age of 6. We refused to stay at the home and had to find another home to rent. Luckily we did.

Comment On This

Comment On This

Hello,

So sorry to hear this, we stayed in one of Penny's homes during the latter of June 09 as well in one of her Safir homes. Oddly enough I have nothing but positive things to say about our stay and Penny herself but I see others had a different experience. I emailed Penny earlier this week in hopes of getting the same deal we had last year but alas...no response.

Haha and now after reading this I guess it explains why, oh well I guess our group will be on another house hunt.