Rent Problems Are Frustrating; but you're not alone: Thousands of tenants rely on RPA to solve problems
Forced apartment upgrade, maintenance delays, and unsafe environment | Case#**-*673
Henderson,
Nevada -
89015
When we arrived, our apartment was not ready (as promised) and we had to upgrade
Maintenance has been negligent in fixing our thermostat, dish washer, and sewage problems
There is a drug problem on the premises
There is excessive dog waste on the premisses
Water Damage | Case#**-*105
AURORA,
CO -
80015 3154
There was multiple problems with the property never addressed, they illegally conducted construction in the basement with no permit, said construction leaked and cost me 2100$ to fix, they refused to preform normal maintenance on the property, the one month I was late on rent due to surgery AND having to cover their bill for water damage they evicted me!
Breach Of Contract / Discrimination | Case#**-*823
Wilmington,
California -
90744
I been only keeping my boat there for less than a month and one night I lost all my keys .I was very distraught and was crying and whimpering and the next day they terminated my mo to mo lease. I apologized and explained about my anxiety disorder that caused me to have the emotional outburst but they still term our lease agreement for one complaint from neighboring boat.
Icy Parking Lot And Sidewalks | Case#**-*826
BURIEN,
WA -
98148 2761
On Jan 2, 2017 at 12:35am I was walking to my apartment at 331 S. 177th Pl. I slipped and fell on the icy sidewalk because after a snowfall on New Years Eve. This incident caused me to go to emergency because of this fall. When I paid my rent for the month I sddressed this situation to the manager with no response nor action to take care of these icy, slippery conditions. And the area is still laden with slippery ice. This should not be because the rent on this property is expensive and we should not be afraid to leave our apartments because that\'s sidewalks are slippery. I asked maintainence about this and he just apologized for my fall. This area is still not safe and as I stated to management that it needs to be addressed immediately because there are lots of school children on this property. I am fortunate not to have hit my head, but I am injured.
Deposit Problem | Case#**-*449
BOISE,
ID -
83709 2207
My lease expired on 07/15/21. When I moved I left the apartment in great condition. Not a single stain on the carpet, not a single blond broken or missing, bathrooms cleaned. (I took pics before move in and after I moved out) now landlord charged me my whole deposit for cleaning and carpet cleaning $350. And to repair the outside door casing replacement which I have no control of it, saying an animal scratched it. I never had kids, pets or another tenant other than myself. It was a two bedroom, two bath apartment. My whole time there I only used one bath and one bedroom. I was away for the most time, so there was no traffic at all. And I cleaned the apartment every week! So I believe it’s not fair that they taking all my deposit.
Test Complaint about rental deposit refund. Landlord not refunding deposit | Case#**-*953
SALT LAKE CTY,
UT -
84111 1917
This is a test complaint with dummy text as a test. this is testing the complaint center total character count of 2500 characters. The system will allow me to type in that many. This is a test complaint with dummy text as a test. this is testing the complaint center total character count of 2500 characters. The system will allow me to type in that many.
This is a test complaint with dummy text as a test. this is testing the complaint center total character count of 2500 characters. The system will allow me to type in that many.
This is a test complaint with dummy text as a test. this is testing the complaint center total character count of 2500 characters. The system will allow me to type in that many. This is a test complaint with dummy text as a test. this is testing the complaint center total character count of 2500 characters. The system will allow me to type in that many.
This is a test complaint with dummy text as a test. this is testing the complaint center total character count of 2500 characters. The system will allow me to type in that many.
This is a test complaint with dummy text as a test. this is testing the complaint center total character count of 2500 characters. The system will allow me to type in that many. This is a test complaint with dummy text as a test. this is testing the complaint center total character count of 2500 characters. The system will allow me to type in that many.
This is a test complaint with dummy text as a test. this is testing the complaint center total character count of 2500 characters. The system will allow me to type in that many.
This is a test complaint with dummy text as a test. this is testing the complaint center total character count of 2500 characters. The system will allow me to type in that many. This is a test complaint with dummy text as a test. this is testing the complaint center total character count of 2500 characters. The system will allow me to type in that many.
This is a test complaint with dummy text as a test. this is testing the complaint center total character count of 2500 characters. The system will allow me to type in that many.
This is a test complaint with dummy text as a test. this is testing the complaint center total character count of 2500 characters. The system will allow me to type in that many. This is a test complaint with dummy text as a test. this is testing the complaint center total character count of 2500 characters. The system will allow end.
Security Deposit, Illegal Towing | Case#**-*052
Dallas,
Texas -
75243
On June 22, 2017, Driver #663 from SW Auto Tow, LLC performed a non-consent tow on a rental vehicle from private property at The Callie Apartments. The vehicle displayed the temporary parking permit that was signed by the Callie Apartment staff and was hanging from the rearview mirror as instructed. Thus the driver violated SEC. 48A-34 by removing the vehicle.
The towing and booting signs posted at the Callie Apartments were not compliant with City Code and were in violation of SEC. 48A-36. This was investigated and corrected on September 27, 2017 after a code compliance complaint was filed with the City of Dallas. The tow operator was also in violation of SEC. 48A-36 by removing the vehicle without the proper signage in place. There was no notice given as required by Section 684.012(b) and (c) of the Texas Transportation Code. The staff at SW Auto Tow, LLC did state that they have a contract with The Callie Apartments though no further information was provided and it is unknown if the contract is in compliance with SEC. 48A-37. Given that the vehicle was a rental car and had been on the premises since June 1, 2017, it is unlikely that the written agreement was changed to comply with Subsection (b) (1) as required by SEC. 48A-37.
After giving 60 days notice of non-renewal of the lease on 5/22/2017, we moved out of the apartment per the request of the management on 6/30/2017. The property management has yet to return the security deposit of $250 for the unit. On or around 7/7/2017, a letter was sent with a \"Move Out Statement\" that alleged the carpet had to be replaced due to \"bleach stains.\" There was no demand or request for payment or any notification that failure to pay would result in involvement with a collections agency as described in section 32.5 of the TAA lease. Subsequently, on 8/18/2017, Sunrise Credit Services contacted me in an attempt to collect $628.66 due to The Callie Apartments. This debt was disputed and no further substantiation of the alleged damage or proof of replacement costs has been provided.
BED BUGS | Case#**-*366
Washington,
District Of Columbia -
20007
I just moved a little bit more than a month ago to DC from NY. and after 2 and 1/2 weeks after I moved I started getting weird pattern of bug bites and I googled and realized it is bed bug bites. I searched my bed and found one on the bed skirt. I brought it to the management office. they told me they will take care of it. That night I got more than 10 bites and the following day they provided me a temporary furnished room. Then the next day (it was last week August 10th) moved me to another unit, leaving my bed and bedside table, ottoman, bookcase and rugs, mirror behind(they said they will treat and will move to my new unit). I told them i am comfortable just moving to another unit without treatment but they insisted it is okay. Then i started sleeping on my couch in the new unit, and i started having bites again. I went to the management yesterday, they told me my bed is not treated yet and they are trying to blame me for bringing the bedbugs here(even though i\'d never had bed bugs before) and told me i have to contribute the cost of treatment. And told me that the heat treatment cannot be done in this new unit because everyone will see that there is bed bugs in the building. and asked me to move back to an old one and will do the heat treatment under the condition that i pay half of price. I had to order new bed and everything, and now i won\'t get any pest control here if i don\'t go back to the old unit which has been infested and not treated. The management doesn\'t want to inform the neighbor tenants either.
Request For Additional Funds After Security Deposit | Case#**-*293
KIRKLAND,
WA -
98033 4608
I moved out of our rental property the end of July 2019. We didn\\\\\\\'t receive invoices from our property manger for damages to the property where they needed more money than the $3000 security deposits until 11/26/2019. All three vendors cannot be found online and two of them never called me back to verify the invoices. The one that did was a contractor whose license was suspended in 2015 and had been expired since 2016. When i asked the owner of the company to provide his license number, he said he didn\\\\\\\'t have it at the time and would call me back to provide. He never did. The property manger stated that all of their vendors were licensed, but this can not be validated by them or their vendors. The contractor online even states that the company is closed or out of business. We are fine with the company keeping the security deposit of $3000, but will not be providing additional funds as all of the invoices and the conversations back and forth do not seem legitimate.
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.
