Rent Problems Are Frustrating; but you're not alone: Thousands of tenants rely on RPA to solve problems
Deposit Proplems | Case#**-*782
Gauteng ,
Florida -
011
I gave Theresea Paul notice at the end of November 2012 advising her i need to move out of Nambiti Heights in Florida Johannesburg due to family problems . I have to move in with my mother as she is staying alone and are very sick. at the moment.
I know i breached my contract but my understanding no where in the contract does it say i cant cancel my lease before it expires, however according to the consumer act it states i can cancel my contract anytime by giving 22 business days notice which i did in this case i gave her a month's notice and paid my rent for December 2012 and are also still awaiting my water bill as i paid it for three months without seeing the meter reading.She said she will send it nothing came until today. All I WANT IS MY DEPOSIT MONEYT BACK.
Not refunding my Deposit | Case#**-*315
MENOMONEE FLS,
WI -
53051 3170
I have left appartment on 26th nov 2011,he had come on 25th and see the apartment and found every thing fine but not ready to sign the paper AND AS PER HIS COMMENT I had drop the key in mail box . After few week he told me that key is missing and he is not willing to file complaint in police station . So i my self file complain .
Now when i am calling him he is not picking the phone and when I try to call from different number he use abusive language
Water heater not being fixed after the 3rd day on a 45 degree weather | Case#**-*211
Euless,
Texas -
76039
On 2/18 there was a pipe that broke and since then I have been without hot water. I have to be taking cold water showers and having to heat up water for my two kids. Every time I call they only say "It is out of their control." The Manchester Apartment management has never been courteous and that includes all the ladies in the front office. Not too long ago the entire management was replaced for all the shady stuff they were doing and the new crew is doing exactly the same. When I called today, the lady that answer the phone said "We have no time frame of when this issue will be resolved." They cannot reassure me with exactly how long this will take and I had to work Monday and Tuesday and had to shower with cold water. My two sons go to school and daycare and they have to shower too. I need them to fix the issue as I am sure I am not the only one upset about this, many of the residents here are going through the same as well.
Refusal to return prepaid rent or statement of cleaning costs | Case#**-*226
Portland,
Oregon -
97233
My father, Kevin F. Kimpton passed away in January of this year. He was a tenant of Cedar Tree Apartments managed by Bowman Management under Section 8 in Portland, Oregon. Upon renting, the complex required that my father pay a full year of rent in advance as well as all deposits. My father did so and with the year paid in advance, he was paid up until August of this year. Upon his death Bowman Management followed through with the proper notifications and changed the locks on the unit. Once I was allowed to enter, Larry of Bowman Management was very kind and respectful. He tried to help in any way that he could. In March the property was emptied of my father's belongings and I turned the property over to Bowman Management. Since that day I have not been able to get anyone to call me back or answer my calls regarding the remaining prepaid rent. I can't even get them to call me back to give me a receipt of the cleaning bills and such. They are holding onto quite a bit of money that should be returned to my father's estate. Our family attorney has also tried to contact them with no success.
Monthly Rent Payment Dispute | Case#**-*614
Maple Grove,
Minnesota -
55369
I paid our rent for the month of September 2009 sometimes the first week in september last year. Little did I know that I had issued the wrong check. Because of that, the check I had issued bounced. At the end of that same month (September), we received a letter from the rental office informing us that our check bounced therefore we had to immediately pay our rent for the month of september by purchasing a money order instead of issueing another check. Since we had some cash on hand ($280.00), I immediately went to the bank and withdrew 620.00 to add to that 280.00. I bought the money order from Cubs and attached a check of $50.00 non sufficient funds/ late fee to the $900.00 money order and presented it to one of the rental office staffs called Haidi on October 1, 2009. When we applied for an apartment at Eagle Ridge last year, they checked our credit history and told us that we did not have good credit therefore, inorder for us to live there we should pay two months upfront. We did just that. We paid for the last two months, May and June this year. On april 2, 2010 when I went at the rental office to drop up our last rent for the lease check, I reminded Heidi that this was our last check for our lease and that we were going to be renewing our lease for one more year, when they were ready for us to do that. She said no, you guys still owe for two more months. I asked her to look in their records but she could not find anything to prove that we had paid our rent upfront for May and June this year. I immediately reached into my wallet and presented to her the receipts to that effect. She asked me to photocopy them and i allowed her do that. After about two weeks or so, we received a letter from the rental office informing us that we had not paid our rent for the month of September 2009. They requested that we present evidence that we have paid for that month or else we have to pay again. I went in to Ginny and explained myself to her. I showed her my bank statements because we had misplaced the stub from the money order bought. But she is still insisting that we present that receipt from the money order or else we pay again and we cannot imagine paying that rent the second time this is why we need your timely intervention.
Property not clean and inhabitable per lease | Case#**-*312
henderson,
Nevada -
89015
House had not been professionally cleaned. Phoproperty manager insisting that the property had been cleaned. Photos are available to prove otherwise. There was 10 years of dirt. Landlord is unwaware of the real situation. I had made two requests to have house inspected, not done. I have made two requests to make landlord aware of the situation, not sure if that was done. I consider this a breach of contract.
My car was removed without proper legal notice | Case#**-*536
Richardson,
Texas -
75082
I walked out of the door where my gaze landed upon my empty parking spot. Trying not to be paranoid- I walked around her building hoping I’d forgotten where I’d parked. As I returned to my spot I noticed a tire track that reminded me of a wheelbarrow but, that didn’t fit…..there were two tire tracks the equivalent spacing as my car…..my car had been TOWED!!! According to Richardson Municipal Code Sec. 14-92. - Procedures for abating nuisance:
(1) A notice of not less than ten days stating the nature of the public nuisance on private property and that it must be removed and abated within ten days; and further, that a request for a hearing must be made before the expiration of such ten-day period. The notice must be mailed, by certified mail with a five-day return requested, to the last known registered owner of the junked motor vehicle, any lienholder of record and the owner or occupant of the private premises on which the public nuisance exists. If any notice is returned undelivered by the United States Postal Service, official action to abate the nuisance shall be continued to a date not less than ten days after the date of the return.
Although an orange sticker was placed on the vehicle. I was never given a certified letter to notify me that the car was considered a public nuisance. Also, the car (2007 Malibu)was marked as inoperable however, the car is not on block or missing any major parts to run. I called the Apartment complex manager Cindy and explained that this was unacceptable to which Cindy said that they had passed out a flyer at the beginning of November that they would start towing if the cars did not have a parking permit. I then informed her that I’d applied for the parking permit and she had told me that the stickers were not available yet. By 11/16/12 the stickers still had not been issued. I asked to correct the towing of my car and the $218.00 that they were charging me to pick the car up. She said she would contact the towing company- DFW VSF/ Approximately 30 minutes later a withheld number called my phone claiming to represent DFW VSF. He then proceeded to tell me that “I wouldn’t do that because if I did that because then I’ll just charge you more.”In then end although DFW VSF is housed in Dallas Spring Pointe had the legal responsibility to make sure that the company followed Municipal code in Richardson where they are housed. They did not a inform the manager of the property that my car was going to be towed.
Bedbug infestation requiring exterminator. | Case#**-*909
coram,
New York -
11727
We have lived in this apt for some years now - prior to Home Properties buying out La Bonne Vie. Since the new company has taken over we have had some problems with the apt next to us which we are happy they have resolved. However, recently a very large number of tenants were living in the apt next to us and we believe it is possible they may have brought a bedbug problem with them.
When I started to get a severe allergic reaction to these parasites I looked into the apt history online and was absolutely horrified to see there were complaints of bedbugs in this complex.
It is an undeniable problem we hope someone could resolve through professional extermination: by means of heat treatment. We are unsure the cost of this - but as these BedBugs are putting us at danger of losing our jobs we implore aid in this matter. We hope that the costs will be paid on behalf of the renter in keeping this a habitable environment.
Bedbugs | Case#**-*111
Richmond,
Virginia -
23228
Asked complex to spray for bugs in December thought we were getting bit by spiders. They sprayed and seemed to be okay for a a month or so. I noticed that sense we moved in within 3 to 4 months I had seen 5 mattresses by the dumpsters...didn't think any thing of it.........Till now :(. I contacted management again in May to spray again and to inspect for spiders silver fish and bed bugs. They inspected and found bed bugs. Management asked me if i had traveled lately and I said yes she then said"Oh okay that's probably what happened you probably got them that way.. so your responsible for treatment" I had traveled in February to Atlantic City. I wanted to+ get my own company to quote the problem, but on May 11th I received a letter saying"You are scheduled for a treatment of bed bugs by pest masters on may 23 and jun 15 2012. Please review the attached document to help you prepare for your treatment.THIS TREATMENT IS NOT OPTIONAL AND PREPARATION FOR TREATMENT IS MANDATORY. The total cost for these treatments is $619.70. Payment must be received by June. 15 2012 or contact the office by the 1st to set up payment arrangements. The reason that I'm filing this complaint is because I feel like I was forced to comply. What should have happen was" We have a problem so We should work it out together.
MOve out charges for cleaning and damages | Case#**-*123
sokane valley,
Washington -
99206
This list of damages and cleaning charges from m-t management go beyond what I should be held responsible for. THis property was under management by a different co. ( anthony baker and burns ) when I moved in two years before m-t took over the property. Items included in the list of damages were either never included or not looked at by the previous co as my responsiblility and there for never listed, like a key to garage door that was never provided to me or a non-locking sliding glass door that never worked and always had a stick in the door , but somehow they charged me for a part that was no longer avlb. I have charges for cleaning that I know I completed and have pictures on disc. THis comp0any hired someone at $35 hr to reclean. Also, a yard work proposal that somehow on the invoice, included a partial kitchen countertop replacement because the invoice for the yard was written up by m-t and not the company that provided the propsal. Those charges for yard work and kitchen countertop alone equal over $500 and I have photos of the yard within days of moving and throughout the five years of my residency I have photos of inside and outside the home. I have a document that shows the charges due after the %500 depst is %2654.98 yet on my credit report which I have recieved assistance on showed twice that m-t management filed with pride recovery for different amounts. The amount removed from my credit report was for $2830.00 and the one still remaining is for $2724.00 both went to my credit in August 2011. Now I am willing to pay for some of the damages like not getting proffesional carpet cleaning $ 160 and damages to Wall, door window and appliances my estemate is $630.00 and thats what I am will to pay in addition to th $500.00 depst. light bulbs were changed and to many other items that were normal wear after five years if they were even there appicable to begin with.
Complaint Process in 3 Simple Steps:
File Complaint: Fill out complaint form with your proposed resolution. Instantly recieve your case number.
Check Status: See the current status, respond, upload files or images, accept fair solution or purpose alternative solutions.
Landlord Public Record: Positive or Negative record is attached to landlord based upon their responses. Your (tenant) information is not made public.
Complaints Tips:
Uploading pictures / files is helpful
Try to request fair solutions
Focus on major issue, not on many
Check your status every 3 days
Avoid accusations or hostile tones
Be willing to accept alternate solution
How Does the RPA Help Resolve Rental Problems?
Once you file a complaint, the RPA will contact your landlord or property manager to mediate a prompt resolution. The RPA online mediation system provides an effective complaint resolution process that helps solve problems quickly. Complaints filed through the RPA are documented and help protect tenants’ rights by providing a program that protects against landlord retaliation and unfair practices. Agreements reached through the RPA Complaint Center are legally binding and enforceable. When required the complaint can be used as evidence in court.
The RPA requires a $35 one-time processing fee to cover the cost associated with contacting the landlord, online mediation, paperwork, and public record filing. Prior to 2006 the RPA complaint program had no fee. However, due to abuse by tenants that were filing bogus complaints; the RPA found it necessary to charge of fee to eliminate fake complaints and to cover costs associated with complaint handling. If you are looking to report the problem only and not seeking a resolution, you can use our free Report Landlord option. (The report landlord option will only document the problem and will not provide any assistance in resolving disputes.)
Tip: On your complaint form you can request that management reimburse you for RPA filing fees.
How long does the process take?
The RPA is able to resolve complaints fairly quickly, unlike court or other legal options. Cases are normally assigned in the order received; however, you can upgrade your case to be rushed if you need your case escalated. (option available immediately after filing)For fastest processing try to submit your complaint before the next processing deadline. (Count down shown next to “File Complaint” button.) Once the mediation process begins, your landlord will have 3 business days to respond to the mailed notice. If a landlord email address is provided the RPA will send out both a written notice and email notice which can provide an immediate resolution. Many times cases are resolved immediately after receiving the RPA® notice, however depending on the complaint, it can take longer if both parties are unable to reach an agreement quickly.
Tip: To speed up the process... On the complaint form request reasonable and fair solutions.
Does the RPA Guarantee to Resolve Every Complaint?
Each complaint is guaranteed to be worked by the RPA complaint system. The RPA mediation system will work to resolve every complaint regardless of how big or small the complaint. However, the RPA can’t guarantee the end results of any complaint. While we work to solve each complaint, the guarantee is limited to our processing of your complaint. All fees associated with the complaint are non-refundable dispute the outcome of the complaint. Each complaint is Guaranteed to be worked by our complaint system and will be documented against the landlord should they fail to cooperate.
Tip: To get positive resolutions to your complaint; try providing resolutions that are fair.
What Happens After I file a Complaint?
Upon filing your landlord / property manager complaint you will instantly receive a case number. Your complaint case number can be used to immediately access your complaint status page. The RPA will process your complaint and contact your landlord for an immediate resolution. On your status page you can view case status, upload files or images, respond to the complaint, update/ change resolutions, accept or close complaint. The RPA complaint center updates your case status in real time and provides you with tracking to see exactly what is happening with your complaint. Once the case is closed, the complaint will be attached to your landlords public record which is quickly indexed by all major search engines. (Your information is never made public)
Tip: Check your case status at least every 3 days. (Respond / update your case as required)
Protection Against Landlord Retaliation
Its unlawful for your landlord to retaliate against you because you filed a complaint. Your landlord cannot evict, harass, limit access, raise rent, or treat you unfairly because you filed a complaint. As a tenant, you must still pay rent and comply with rent terms stated within your contract. Filing a complaint does not eliminate your responsibilities.
Tip: Check your case status at least every 3 days. (Respond / update your case as required)
Who Can File a Complaint with the RPA?
Any renter located in the United States of America has the right to file a complaint with the RPA. The RPA does not accept complaints outside of the USA. In general, the RPA will accept every complaint regardless of how big or small the problem may be.
Tip: When possible, try resolving your problem with your landlord before filing a complaint.
