(REHOBOTH BEACH, Del.) - "I just want my money. We are now in January of 2017. I think it's disgusting. I think that they're sitting, probably making interest on my money."
A Sussex County homeowner says she's dealing with rental repair controversy.
"I feel like this is taking time from other more important things in my life - my relationships, my children, work, you know, just everyday life - they have stolen so many hours with the nonsense, the games," said Kathy Traugh, who has a home in Versailles, part of the Eagles Landing community.
Kathy Traugh owns this home on Blue Heron Drive in Rehoboth Beach, but it hasn't felt very 'homey' this past year. Traugh says she's caught between the management company, the homeowner's association, and an insurance check.
"I'm just looking to basically get my money and get my carpeting in and move forward," said Traugh.
Traugh said a roof replacement project cost her more than money; it cost her peace of mind.
Traugh claims that roofers came in over the summer and did not cover her air conditioning unit. Debris got caught inside and caused water to back up inside Traugh's condo. "I had a huge mess as a result of the roof being replaced," she said.
Kathy says this is what her closet looked like after the AC break - carpet torn up from water damage.
She says she paid out of pocket for the repair and later got an insurance estimate for $12,000.
"The estimate was encasing Premiere Restoration when they had to do the dryers, cutting out the drywall, the steps, replacing, painting, the carpeting, the padding," she said. "It's all here."
Traugh says she's waiting on the insurance money.
"I mean, this should have been a very simple process. I know because I worked as an adjuster. It's very simple. You pick up the phone, you say, 'I'd like to put a claim in.' An adjuster comes out, does the estimate. They cut you the check. You get the carpeting, end of story."
To complicate matters, Traugh says there's a dispute over who has the right to pick new carpet. Traugh says the property management company said they would install their choice of carpet on January 4th, but they did not show up at her house as Traugh said she would not allow it.
Traugh is threatening legal action but, so far, has not filed suit. WRDE contacted the management company, Signature Management of Rehoboth Beach. Their attorney called to say they have no comment, but he said any dispute is between Traugh and her homeowner's association.
WRDE contacted the homeowner's assocation and are still waiting for a response.
Delaware's Insurance Commissioner, Trinidad Navarro's, office said they will look into the case and provide specific answers once they have more information. The spokesperson for the Insurance Commissioner said that they encourage people to file complaints, regardless of the situation, if they are in a dispute. He said they run a consumer center office so they want to be a resource for the people.
