Rent Problems Are Frustrating; but you're not alone: Thousands of tenants rely on RPA to solve problems
harrassment,refusal to fix major issue, no lease | Case#**-*077
KENT,
WA -
98042 5526
on/approx october 31st 2010, landlord illegally entered home & accosted my son. screamed at me & my husband that we had 2 weeks to move or she was calling the cops. screamed that the house was in foreclosure(during latter conversation w/lou ann was told that she needed us out by the 24th so she could move back in), failed drain field/septic system that owner was aware of when home was purchased 5+ yrs ago-lou ann told me that she doesn't have to do a goddam thing about it. have asked her for 2+ months for a lease/rental agreement & have received nothing. a comment was made to the owners son that she printed one out but that we refused to sign it. really? if that was the case then why wasn't the eviction process started? on friday november 19th, 2010, landlord intentionally failed to pay utility bill to try to force us out. this is illegal per RCW 59.18.300. i sent a 4 page letter to landlord on the 15th of november, 2010-showing her what my rights as a tenant are & as a landlord what she can/cannot do. she was going to bring the utility bill over so i could pay it(but after she received such letter the retalitory BS began.
Harrassment And Abuse Of Tenants By Managment Staff | Case#**-*007 I am filing a formal complaint of unlawful harassment by my Landlord: The willing creation, by my landlord, of conditions that are uncomfortable in order to induce willing abandonment of my rental contract. Because of the harassment and bullying I have suffered at the hands of Wyngate; TWC Twenty-Nine, LTD., I have been forced to vacate my home.
The Types of harassment I have experienced are as follows:
• Verbal and written complaints, imagined and exaggerated, of my supposed improper conduct
• Creating a nuisance and great emotional duress for myself and my children
• Intimidation and threats of physical or financial injury directed at the tenant
I have supportive documentation, as well as date stamped complaints I have filed to no avail with the property management office.
I
Bed Bug Infestation | Case#**-*562
lawrenceville,
Georgia -
30043
My roommates and I moved into a house that we rented out for a year on December 1, 2011. During the first few monthes one of out roommates complained about some bites he kept getting, but ignored it. Around April when it started getting warmer we started experiencing those bites again. Towards the end of the summer and beginning of fall on of my roommates discovered the problem we were having. We than for the next month started searching for the bed bugs and collecting a few before we called an exterminator. We contacted our landlord and of course he replied there's nothing I'm gonna do about it and told us to handle it on our own. We had several inspections done to get a price and all were out of our budget. Every pest company told us from what they saw this should be a landlord responsibilty. All of our furniture came from homes that have not one trace of bedbugs, we do not stay in hotels and only partake with a small group of friends who also show no trace of the bugs. After the landlord refusing to take care of the situation, it became worse as it should and living in the house was unbearable so we had leave. The landlord now is refusing to give back the security deposit, have us pay for treatment and is now making up we missed an entire month of payment. This landlord has cause us grievence causing us to each spend thousand on new furniture and new places to live.
never moved in | Case#**-*668
MIAMI,
FL -
33150 3838
my section 8 worker told me to seek another place to rent because, public show that someone did an addition on the house without permission from the of miami.he also warned it will take sometime for the owner to correct paperwork. Also there is a high crime of drug selling, prostitution,break ins,& shootings. and the schools are NOT GOOD AT ALL. I want the best for my children
Maintenance Issue/Lethargic | Case#**-*713
Chamblee,
Georgia -
30341
i have not even been here a month and within a few days of moving in i had a huge ant infestation, i told them this and they stated pest control only comes out mondays so a whole week nothing was done about the ants meanwhile they are infesting all my belongings and then spread to the bathroom. they supposably came and sprayed and the next day i saw little roaches. i had to buy bug spray and clean and bleach all the walls and wash all my things, again not even 2 weeks of moving in. then i start to hear rats in the vents and they tell me its probably squirrels and that pest will come monday once again. i come home everyday to my trash being bitten into and trash everywhere. the last straw is i come home and the wood by the floor of the bathroom sink is a complete bitten whole through the wall that even popped off the molding. i even took a photo. i called on a friday and was highly upset and stated it needs to be taken care of the next day. nothing was done of course and not even monday. i try to call today and of course as usual, you can neeever reach them in the office. no one answers and forwards you to an automated service. i wish i could afford to break the lease because i would. they show no concern or urgency for the tenant or their belongings. the infestations are disgusting and unsafe!
Breach of Agreement, Illegal Entry, Entry Without 24 Notice | Case#**-*163
BROOKLINE,
MA -
02446 2769
Landlord claimed someone called him about a heat issue. No one called him and no one received any e-mail correspondence about a heat problem. He rang doorbell twice and upon no one answering, entered the apartment without consent from any tenants. There were 2 tenants home, one of them sleeping and one in the bathroom, where they went to answer the door and saw that he had already opened the front door to our apartment and was walking into the main room without anyone answering the door for him. He then proceeded to turn our heat on (tenants pay for heat not landlord) without any tenants permission. He has illegally entered our apartment once before and we have asked numerous times to have them give us 24 hour notice before entering regarding repair issues which they have repeatedly ignored. Upon notifying them about a prior illegal entry, they denied it even though there were several witnesses to the first incident, which occurred in may of 2011. This incident occurred in the early evening on 10/27/2011 had 2 witnesses who both agree to the above statement.
Unlivable apartment | Case#**-*996
Phoenix,
Arizona -
85051
Since the day we moved in there were problems with the complex. We were first moved into an apartment that was smoked in for 16years. We do not smoke and have bad asthma. So we were finally moved. After we moved we had neighbors who played music very loud and had to call for a noise complaint to police 3 times and spoke to managment several times. Finally after dealing with the issue for 3 months they did move the neighbors. My finally complaint and what I want resolved is when we changed apartments it shows we had a past due balance of $71.60 which was incorrect. After several calls to Tara who works in the office and her unable to show us where it came from we refued to pay and I went into the Managers office (Jamie) and spoke with her about issue. I was told that she didn't knwo why it was there and that she knows we have had a lot of issue since we moved it and would take care of it. She said "I will find a way to remove it for you" Well we moved out when our lease was up and when we got our deposit back for some reason they decided to take the $71.60 out of it that was suppose to be cleared up by Jamie. We have our last payment and it shows there was a $0 balance and then the monthly rent that was due. We did pay the amount and got copies showing it was our last months rent.
Landlord Harrasement | Case#**-*251
WILMINGTON,
DE -
19805 5211
From the time I moved in to the apartment the landlord was aware that there was an issue with noise carrying. She was supposed to look into several solutions and has not but chooses to send me several texts threaten either kick me out or that is my notice. There are no smoke detectors or fire extinguishers in the apartment. The stairs are dangerous, I have slipped down them a few times. When I asked her to fix them she immediately said she needs to inspect my apartment (On a Sunday in Nov.) Saying when she was in there in May it smelled like urine from my dogs. She never mentioned anything in May. My rent is $800.00 a month and I have been charged a late fee of $50.00. It should only be $40.00 according to DE state law. I was also charged the $50.00 before a late fee should had been charged. She has accused me of spreading my dogs hair all over her yard. (She did apologize for that one). She sends nasty text telling me to take my dogs for a walk and not leave them on the porch of my home barking. They are never left unattended. There are several dogs around the neighborhood that are outside and bark constantly. (Not mine) She has accused my boyfriend (after seeing his ethnicity) of being on drugs and of having drugs on the property. She has invaded my privacy several times. I have had to finally go to the doctor to get medicine for my anxiety and stress. This has affected my job as i am afraid to take our on call work due to the phone may ring in the middle of the night. I have to whisper in my home as of right now or I get threatening texts. No matter what time of the day. I have gotten them at 2:00 in the afternoon. I moved my bed to the kitchen because she sent an embarrassing text saying she could hear my bed squeaking. Also complained about the volume of the tv. She has said I had my air conditioner \\\"Blasting\\\" (that is included in the rent). I did not have the air blasting the \\\"apartment\\\" is not insulated well enough to hold in the cold air so it gets hot in there. The house has an upstairs with a bathroom that has been converted into an apartment. I do have my own separate entrance.
He Moved Me In And Others Knowing He Had A Bed Bug Problems | Case#**-*986 He moved me in and others knowing he had a bed bug problems , the previous tenant moved out because of the bed bugs as I was moving in and I have his contact info he said if we decided to do anything about it let him know, at that time I thought I had rid myself of them.
To add insult to injury i was given an 30day notice because I complaint about the dog using the restroom out side of my bedroom door , on top of the fact , there are roaches, bedbugs , and rats in the back yard I have pics and the receipt when me and another tenant went half of bed bug floggers and washed all our clothes for me its an second time , the first nite I had bites in my head I thought it was a spider or something , until I started inching and more bites came he gave me a bed full of bed bugs my legs are all scared up from the still many marks visible I was gonna let it go but when when he evicted me without cause that's when I decided to take action.
I am the victim and now hes making my life more stressful so I decided to tell what happen and why he wants anyone that complain about the bugs out.
Repair Issue | Case#**-*800
GARDENA,
CA -
90249 2613
The landlord of Mabry Management neglects to repair the apartment suite despite multiple attempts to contact them via the maintenance repair request form. The tenant also followed-up with the apartment manager on when the fix will be available via text message, but information was not provided (and ignored). This neglect have caused multiple grievances to the tenant, including severe dehydration - due to sleeping at 90+ weather everyday, which the tenant went to the Emergency Room for treatment at one point; the landlord have failed to answer the fixture of Air Conditioning Unit (Ac unit), which is provided as one of the amenities for the unit. Finally, fixture of circuit breaker due to breaker tripping every time microwave was utilized. Additionally, the tenant purchased his own portable AC unit to cool the room but the unit could not be used due to the circuit breaker issue. The tenant sought the assistance of Electrician on the breaker box to provide the ability to utilize his own AC unit out of pocket.
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.
