Rent Problems Are Frustrating; but you're not alone: Thousands of tenants rely on RPA to solve problems
Rented Condemed House | Case#**-*854
Madison,
Georgia -
30650
had city building planner of madison ga inspect the house and it was found to be no livable for human due to several large issues such as windows being glued shut with no locks on them. As well as the wires underneath the house were not ground and the roof was dry rotted and pulling away from the house. They gave us a brief tour and told me and my wife that we needed to sign the lease to see the house again. Georgia is one of the few states that once you sign a lease it is final no matter what. We brought several of these issues up to the landlord with nothing fixed. She then began not to cash our rent checks and stated that we passed the day stated on the lease and wanted us out but to keep the money as well. We then went to court where we lost. We come then to find out that our landlord and the judge are related through marriage. As well we found out later that we were only allotted seven days to appeal and move out when the law states thirty.
Worms At The Shower Room | Case#**-*302
JACKSONVILLE,
FL -
32216 0917
I am a DOD contractor working with US troops overseas. This is more than 7 times my wife talked and i call by myself the property manger regarding the worms which we found under the tub of the shower room, but this manger she do not care , and does not response to our concerns. We have little kids abd we have concern about their health . This lady always give us very hard time , and carelessness . . She say if you do not like leave . This apartment very old built before 60 years , need a continous repair and maintainnce .
Invasion of privacy in violation of my rights to privacy and my consitution | Case#**-*220
Eagan,
Minnesota -
55121
The federal and state statutes that govern eavesdropping require interception of a conversation. The "interception" of a "private communication" is not merely listening to a private communication but includes the means used to "acquire" the "private communication". ??Intercept? means to acquire the contents of any wire, electronic, or oral communication through the use of any electronic, mechanical, or other device. If the landlord is intercepting a private conversation, the federal law provides an exemption if done under the with the terms of a court order, statutory authorization, or certification under federal wiretapping law.
Repairs Harassing | Case#**-*667
BAKERSFIELD,
CA -
93308 3434
Harrasment by nabor threats with evition
Repair Issues | Case#**-*731
Anchorage ,
Alaska -
99503
It began on March 26 when it wasn't as bad as a waterfall coming out of my kitchen sink but my sink was backed up. Mr. Nakamoto sent out a maintenance man to try and fix the sink and he was unsuccessful. So we had to wash our dishes out of our bathroom sink. He let this incident go until it got to the point of why I'm complaining. My kitchen sink over flooded on Easter Sunday March 31, 2013 which there was about 1 1/2 inches of water in my kitchen that ruined majority of my kid's and I's shoes. The water went as far as maybe 1/3 of my living room carpet. The maintenance guy that came to try and fix my sink wasn't able to fix it and said we were going to have to wait til the next day. The next day the carpet stunk so bad that I had to leave my kitchen and living room windows open so the stench wouldn't linger throughout my little apartment . I called and called Mr. Nakamoto but he didn't answer so I texted him about it and he didn't have anyone come out to change the carpet padding and shampoo the carpet. He just had someone come out and spray a deodorizer on it yesterday, April 09,2013. 9 (nine) days after the incident happened and I sent him a letter about me not paying the full amount of rent. I'm just tired of dealing with Mr. Nakamoto and I wouldn't recommend anyone rent from this man.
Toxic Exhaust Fumes Entering Apt From Next Door Construction | Case#**-*431
St Paul,
Minnesota -
55106
The lift is a diesel and it\'s exhaust was pointing right at my apartment. The apartment almost immediately filled with diesel exhaust.
21 July - I\'m a retiree. I try to sleep in. forced out of bed with dizzyness, hard to breath, threw up headache bedroom full of TOXIC exhaust fumes from running
heavt equipment placed under my bedroom.
Repairs Issues, Not Being Giving Rent Recipes, Verbal Threats To Pay Rent. | Case#**-*022 To have swamp cooler repaired, leaking on roof rotting it causing dangrous metal to come off. Swamp cooling leaking into bedroom closet To stop having a person come and harasse for rent. To have landladie come collect rent as she said she yet still has not once.
bed bugs | Case#**-*311
concord,
California -
94520
When my now wife moved in on January, she started noticing bumps/rash on her body. She complained they itched, and after trying over the counter ointments, and medications, she went to see her Doctors. She was prescribed several medications and ointments, but the skin problem didn't go away. I noticed small bugs around our bed, on the wall, on the bed. Unaware what they could be we bought small roach traps.(We thought the problem was solved when we didn't noticed any more bugs). Yet, on Saturday June 25, 2011 at night I noticed more than one of these bugs on the bed and my wife and I inspected the mattress and found many of these bugs and smaller clear ones. We trapped a few of these bugs and placed them in a jar. We went online trying to identify the bugs and they looked like bed bugs small round and brown. My wife called our apartment manager on Sunday, and was told she was going to set up an inspection and cleaning on Monday. On Monday, the Manager came by and my wife gave her the jar with the bugs, the Manager verified them as bed bug, the Manager added that the apartment #6 next to our apartment had been invested by bed bugs.
Repair Issues | Case#**-*914 My cousin and I have rented this apartment out for almost a year.
We have asked landlords maintenance man several times to fix cockroach
Problem and the leak from ceiling and it has never been addressed with seriousness
Involved. The maintenance man actually insinuated that we brought the
Cockroaches due to the fact we come from Fiji, which made me so angry. Apparently
Our neighbors told us that this apt had this problem before. I have witnesses to this and evidence with photos.
We have given notice as we can't live in this type of situation.
Complaint Process in 3 Simple Steps:
File Apartment 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 Apartment 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.