Landlord Complaint Record: #20-2068

Jeff Berens    |    Minneapolis    ,    Minnesota 55416    Landlord Complaint 20-2068


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CASE CLOSED FORCE REQUIRED Jan 27, 2012


WARNING! This property/ landlord refused to mediate a fair resolution or respond to this
complaint. Landlord refused to cooperate.
 



Case Number : 20-2068 Filing Date : Oct 4, 2011
Investigating Agent : Kept Private Case Disposition : Force Required
Complaint Level : Code 5 Landlord Response : Case Closed

SUPPORTING DETAILS
Type Title / Link Posted By Date Uploaded Comments
upload Kept Private RPA Mailing Center The following attachment is a copy of the mailed complaint notice that was processed and sent out the Landlord/ Manager.
upload Kept Private RPA Mailing Center The attached file is a copy of the 2nd written notice that was printed and mailed to the landlord/ manager.
upload Kept Private RPA Mailing Center This is the 3rd and final notice that was sent to the landlord/ manager. This is the final attempt / notice to request an immediater resolution to the complaint. I has been processed for mailing.

LANDLORD / MGR : Jeff Berens RENTER : Kept Private
Property Name :      
Address : 2905 Dean Parkway Address : Kept Private
City, State - Zip : Minneapolis, Minnesota - 55416. City, State - Zip : Minneapolis, Minnesota - .
Phone : Kept Private Phone : Kept Private

COMPLAINT : Bedbug infestation originating from owner building
Fair Resolution according to renter :
  1. Either pay full cost of extermination, or refund my deposit and this month's rent so I can leave

RENTAL DETAILS
Address               :   30 W. 22nd St. Apt. 302
City, State - Zip   :   Minneapolis, Minnesota - 55404.

COMPLAINT DETAILS (from renter)

I have a lot of proof, written journal, photos, recordings of the bug infestation which I started to notice after a neighbor threw out furniture and bed set, even looked at bedset and another person (who was going to grab some of it) said their were bugs. Only one week later, suddenly I had numorous bugs in my apartment. I saw my neighbor clean, do lots of laundry, had a dog sniffing bug finder in his place (I assume), an electriction show up, etc. Even before, I witnessed the neighbor throw out his stuff, on 8/18/11 I started having rash and itchy from bites. I had no idea there was a nest, inside a outlet that was right by a corner of my new futon that I had purchased. That came in factory plastic one week before firt set of bites and I had set it up by this wall that has outlet infestation. On sept 28th I was in another room reading when a bed bug ran across page. I loked on internet and confirmed what it was, I then (next morning, got some spray and sprayed on mattress and several adult bugs came running out. I immeadiately went and purchaced a plastic covering and satrted cleaning and washing my clothes. The next day I called and left a message at 12:35 with the owner's lanlord. He got hold of me at 5:45pm and asked me to infrom the owner, who I spoke to at ^;10 pm. He immeadiately did not believe my observation with neighbor and put the blame on me and said he would get me a number of an exterminator that they used in past. He even mentioned in phone conversation that he had tenets here who had bedbugs before and it worked using exterminator. He kept trying to claim bed bugs do not move from apartment to apartment, and that if exterminated in one's own they will not spread. I called the exterminator on 10/3/11 and he came over at 7:40 pm, in his opinion, he felt the infestation came from outside the apartment-I am on 3rd floor. He confirmed of the main nest on the wall with outlet. This outlet, when I first moved in had strange little marks of black around edges, but I did not think much of it. Not until I was able to identify bed bug dung droplets was it confirmed they may have been in apartment even before I moved in. The exterminator quoted 1,3000 for getting rid of bugs. I am currently about to go on disability due to medical issues and do NOT have such funds, nor do I feel I should pay when its quite obvious they are in the building. Last night I called the lanlords after finding the tenet rights law firm and followed their online advice.

LANDLORD / TENANT RESPONSES (3)
From Date IP Address Response
Renter Oct 27, 2011 184.97.219.27 10/28/11 The lanlord/owner refused to sign a certified copy of my letter to him that was also posted on this case file. I received it back today where it says "refused". Also, yesterday the landlord and caretaker inspected my apartment. They took photos w/o notifying me. I was not able to see what they were taking pictures of. because of bed bug infestation I have had my 200.00 mattress ruined, because of heat treatment various items are warped and ruined, I had to throw out hundreds of dollars of carpet I purchased in compliance to cover 75% of the wood floors. I feel I deserve some compensation. Today, there was a letter threatening me that they will fine me in a week up to an access of 100.00 if I do not cover floors. I can not afford to go spend hundreds of dollars again regarding this. I am living on disability presently due to severe medical condition. I also feel this i snot fair when there are problems with drainage from plumbing, rust on everything-windos, sinks, bathtubs, etc. that I constantly have to clean up. Window frames rotting, where you touch the handle and it comes right off, previous water damage to floors and ceilings, too many layers of paint on walls where if you take a piece of scotch tape off of it it, a majority of paint falls off, among various (I am quite sure building wide infractions and non passable city inspections). I am tired of being harassed!
Renter Oct 15, 2011 184.97.219.100 The landlord is claiming he has received no contact from you. He keeps trying to communicate via phone to me. I refuse to mediate w/o representation. Though I have included the option of leaving this apartment and he claims to be willing to give me my deposit. I am about to go through some serious medical issues re: chronic pain. My ultimate goal is that he takes responsibility with paying for the extermination of bed bugs and does not threaten, harrass, or try to evict me. I will decide when I would leave, since we have a legal binding rental contract. Just recently bed bugs were found below my apartment, and thus it seems quite obvious that is where they came from-and/or the other tenet I witnessed throwing out bed set w/ bugs, having a bedbug dog come to his apartment, and several other people that seemed to be associated with the process of ridding of bed bugs. Its quite obvious this tenet was in fear of taking responsibility for possible infestation, and/or was also a person whom got the same bed bugs as I did from the possible lower apartment. Leaving, is a option I am thinking about, since there are numerous other maintenance problems, such as; plumbing issues, rusting on sinks and bathtubs, window frame rotting, and paint that comes off walls simply by taking scotch tape of a wall. The wood floors and ceilings have big problems from previous water damage as well. For now, I have to stay at apartment until my medical issues are resolved, but I am open to leaving once that is finished. My worry is even if I do leave, he will produce a negative reference for me to even be able to obtain another apartment.-Buirge Jones
Renter Oct 15, 2011 184.97.219.100 The landlord is claiming he has received no contact from you. He keeps trying to communicate via phone to me. I refuse to mediate w/o representation. Though I have included the option of leaving this apartment and he claims to be willing to give me my deposit. I am about to go through some serious medical issues re: chronic pain. My ultimate goal is that he takes responsibility with paying for the extermination of bed bugs and does not threaten, harrass, or try to evict me. I will decide when I would leave, since we have a legal binding rental contract. Just recently bed bugs were found below my apartment, and thus it seems quite obvious that is where they came from-and/or the other tenet I witnessed throwing out bed set w/ bugs, having a bedbug dog come to his apartment, and several other people that seemed to be associated with the process of ridding of bed bugs. Its quite obvious this tenet was in fear of taking responsibility for possible infestation, and/or was also a person whom got the same bed bugs as I did from the possible lower apartment. Leaving, is a option I am thinking about, since there are numerous other maintenance problems, such as; plumbing issues, rusting on sinks and bathtubs, window frame rotting, and paint that comes off walls simply by taking scotch tape of a wall. The wood floors and ceilings have big problems from previous water damage as well. For now, I have to stay at apartment until my medical issues are resolved, but I am open to leaving once that is finished. My worry is even if I do leave, he will produce a negative reference for me to even be able to obtain another apartment.-Buirge Jones

INVESTIGATING AGENT - REMARKS (12)
Agent Date Response
Agent Nov 12, 2011 LANDLORD REFUSAL: Despite repeated attempts both written and verbal, the Landlord/ Manager has refused to respond to the complaint. Due to the landlords refusal to cooperate with RPA Mediation, the RPA has no choice but to close this case. The tenant will need to seek other legal options such as court.
Agent Oct 26, 2011 FOLLOW-UP CALL: Agent has contacted the landlord to request an immediate response. Agent has informed management that a written notice was already mailed and has past the alloted response time-frame. Agent has requested an immediate response, within the next 3 business days. Pending Response...
Agent Oct 26, 2011 PAST DUE RESPONSE: Landlord has been provided with a reasonable time-frame to respond but has not. Agent will follow-up with management to request an immediate response.
Agent Oct 17, 2011 DUPLICATE MAILING: The tenant has contacted the RPA to state the the landlord claims they have not been contacted by the RPA. The RPA has prepared an additional notice and mailing it to: Jeff Berens 2905 Dean Parkway Minneapolis, Minnesota 55416
Agent Oct 7, 2011 CERTIFIED MAILING: This case is being sent via USPS Certified Mail: 7010 0780 0000 1423 9163 A duplicate Mailing is also being sent via USPS First Class Mail in case the landlord refuses to sign for Certified Mailing.
Agent Oct 7, 2011 LANDLORD RESPONSE DATE: Landlord is expected to respond no later than: Oct 14, 2011 by 7pm
Agent Oct 7, 2011 EXPECTED LANDLORD RESPONSE: Written notice is being mailed to the landlord and expected to arrive in 3 business days. Following delivery the landlord will have 3 business days to respond. Pending landlord response.
Agent Oct 7, 2011 MAILING PREPARED: Agent has prepared case for mailing.
Agent Oct 7, 2011 COMPLAINT NOTICE: Agent has prepared an official complaint notice and will be attaching the notice to a bonded copy of the case. Pending Mailing...
Agent Oct 7, 2011 CASE REVIEW: Agent has reviewed the case and is preparing complaint notice and paperwork.
Agent Oct 7, 2011 CASE ACCEPTED: Agent has accepted the case and is will be reviewing the case details.
Agent Oct 7, 2011 CASE ASSIGNED: An RPA Agent has been assigned to mediate this case. Pending case acceptance.