Rent Problems Are Frustrating; but you're not alone: Thousands of tenants rely on RPA to solve problems
Non Smoking Policy | Case#**-*345 New tenants moved upstairs in dual apartment, tenants were warned about no smoking in the house due to 2nd hand smoke contaminating the downstairs apartment, tenants told me multiple times they dont care what anyone says they will continue to smoke inside. landlord gave them 2 warnings that i know of and the problem continues every day. some days worse than others, tenants have no respect for anyone or the house rules, they must be dealt with, also landlord was supposed to send updated non smoking leases which we havent recieved yet. cannot reach landlord through phone calls or text messages. multiple messages sent.
Bed Bugs | Case#**-*279
Glendale,
Arizona -
85301
I recently moved into San Remo Apartments on 1/7/11, approximately 2 weeks after I moved in me and my 5 year old daughter were getting mysterious bites all over our bodies. Initially I thought they were mosquito bites as they were small, red and itchy only these lasted allot longer. I began doing some research and came to the conclusion that we were getting fed on by bed bugs. At this point I notified the apartment manger who supplied useless do it yourself traps for me to put down. They also had my apartment inspected on two separate occasions by the extermination company who is under contract with them and performs weekly extermination for tenants with other problems. Both times they claimed their were no signs of bed bugs; these inspections were brief and lasted approximately 5 minutes. As a concerned mom I brought my daughter to the doctor and was notified that the bites appeared to be from bed bugs. One morning I saw a bug on my box spring and captured it into a zip lock bag; I then gave it to the in-house extermination company who identified it as a bed bug. I was mortified as I have seen more than one and was killing them thinking they were baby roaches which is another problem I wont get into. I then spoke to the property manager who is refusing to pay for the treatment and is basically denying the fact that bed bugs are present in my apartment. I then tried to get a letter from their contracted extermination company who I havenâ??t heard back from. My only solution was to get another company to inspect my apartment; the inspection was very through and took approximately 30 minutes. Several bed bugs were found during this inspection which they documented. They recommend heating the apartment to kill all bed bugs, as well as mattress/box spring covers which costs over $1,000. I do not have the funds to pay for this and even if I did I should not be responsible for the treatment of bed bugs as I have only been living here for 5 weeks and feel that the bed bugs were already in the apartment before I moved in.
Discrimination Harrasment | Case#**-*539 Very rude, disrespectful inappropriate. He's shared my business with other people he's been rude to my parents he has ignored my phone calls he has made sexual remarks. He has lied about situations being unfair and bias.
Problems with getting hot water heater fixed and other things. | Case#**-*568
Salisbury,
North Carolina -
28146
I gave him a letter on 7/5/08 with 5 items that need to be fixed or completed as he promised. Only one has been completed and an ongoing problem with upstairs toilet continues to come loose. He promised a new central unit, I have a step broken in which someone could fall through, he has had to material to replace and has yet to replace it. He purchased paint for my bathroom and still has not painted it. There is a bad spot in the kitchen floor at the frig, he has been told and will not fix. There are brown spots on my ceilings and he has been told of those and yet to fix them. Problem with lights flickering, I have had Duke power to check it out and they say it is the landlords place to fix it. However, he says his electrician states it is Duke Powers place. So no resolution there. Duke Power has been to my place many times.
He has asked me to join him in bed. He has asked if he needed clothes on when we conversate. I have copies of archives from yahoo messenger chat conversations. He does not deny needing to repair things here. He just will not. He yells at me about his republican political views telling me how stupid I am. How he is right. I can care less about his political views. I am a renter. He downs and degrades me. Anytime anything breaks here it is my fault, when in reality he does not keep his rental property up.
He has remodeled two other apartments due to tenants moving out or being thrown out. He has put all new things in those apartments from new counter tops, new stoves, new carpet, etc.
Bed Bug Infestation | Case#**-*454 The property management did not offer an inspection of my apartment unit until three days after the discovered infestation. I do not feel that I should be charged for the removal of the bugs and I expected a prompt response to my issue. I just renewed my lease and my account is in good standing as I have always paid on time or early. I was granted a complimentary carpet cleaning which they said would not apply to the carpet cleaning that I would need as part of the extermination process. They would not credit the value towards the service, an expense I feel that they should be responsible for in providing an inhabitable environment by law.
Returning Security Deposit | Case#**-*726 I moved out 14833 Ellis .did a walk through with landlord and gave him the keys.He told me he would call me about the deposit. when i called him to ask how long it would be being that it the third week and no response or letter from him .Fridae say oh, you stole my washer and dryer. i was in shock. He never ghad a washeer or dryer in the unit prior to me moving in and didnt mention anything about no washer nor dryer doing the walk through inspection.liar.please help me. I also took pictures and video of the house after moving out of the unit.
Abuse And Harassment Of Tenants | Case#**-*666
Charleston,
South Carolina -
29401
Interesting events have transpired, since my first complaint filed with RPA, last night at 10/20/21, the apex of the noise complaints. My neighbor David after four months finally came by at 7AM to introduce himself for the first time. This morning at 7AM, I turned on the same stereo, same CD (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvhplYM46Fc, 60-65 db.), to enjoy myself and prepare for my morning. To clarify- David is the neighbor who has been filing multiple weekly complaints since July 2021, which the Jasper Development, LLC, has been enforcing with a passion.
David knocked to ask about my music, so I invited him inside. David turns out to be a polite, and gentlemanly individual. Dr. David came into my apartment, and commented “this music isn’t even loud”, my stereo is “small”, and then I went into his apartment to hear what he was hearing. While it’s clear he is a noise sensitive individual, as the music was barely transferring, I was surprised to hear any of the sounds could be heard through the wall at 60-65db.
At the end of our interchange, he apologized to me, and commented that it was ridiculous noise levels could be transferring to begin with.
Jasper Development, LLC, has been gaslighting me since July of 2021, making me to believe I am a bad tenant, and individual. This development constructed high end apartments in Charleston, SC. To give an idea, my 650 sqft apartment costs $3000/month after parking. David’s apartment is smaller, but similarly expensive at around $2200/month at approx. 550 sqft. Tenants reasonably have high expectations for such a premium.
As a licensed general contractor and a real estate developer, I am qualified to comment that the cost to the development to soundproof their walls adequately is a fraction of the revenue received from our combined monthly rent payments.
It is my belief that instead of abusing it’s rent paying tenants (I am personally paid ahead to December), the Jasper Development, LLC, should take it upon itself to be a better landlord and provide a quality living product to it’s residents, especially considering it’s exorbitant rent prices. At the very least, the Jasper Development, LLC, should cease and desist with it’s harassment of its customers.
It is absolutely unacceptable for the tenants of this building to bear the burden of a development’s unrealistic and unconstitutional living standards, under their shoddy construction practices.
Repair Issue | Case#**-*908 We are not able to use our stove or heat right now because there was a gas leak. Our furnace in the basement is surrounded by water. The gas company serviceman told us that the way they set up the house for gas, etc is illegal. Our chimney is not insulated, so it leaks water when it rains. Multiple other issues.
Black Mold Existent For Duration Of 6 Month Lease; Still Existing Effects | Case#**-*262
Mobile,
Alabama -
36688
There was mold in the apartment for the entire duration of the lease (with pictures and dates of complaint letters to prove it) and was not attended to; even after numerous complaints. We (roommates and I) were all moved into a hotel for them to finally be able to rid of the mold after getting our coaching staff involved (student-athletes). The job was still not done and we were forced out of the hotel back into the moldy apartment with dehumidifiers everywhere. I still experience many symptoms of black mold since that day. Attached is a letter I forwarded to management as well as their corporate office with Campus Crest.
\\\" From the day I signed my lease to live at the Grove in mobile. The management here has been unresponsive and uncooperative. Numerous times we requested new carpet/furniture upon arrival as from the day I signed my lease to live at the Grove in mobile. The management here has been unresponsive and uncooperative. Numerous times we requested new carpet/furniture upon arrival as any new tenant should receive. No action was taken. We have made complaints about the mold and mildew growing in the house in multiple places and on the carpet. My roommates and I have waken up many mornings with whooping cough and headaches as well as smelly close we had to dispose of because of this moldy apartment unit. We were recently placed in a hotel for a week to give them time to fix the problem. They have yet to do so and we are forced to live in an environment that is detrimental to our health and well-being. This is why I refused to pay my rent for the last 2 months on my lease. The manager who was there when I signed the lease is no longer there for whatever reason and they claim to have not received a rent payment from me in which I provided them multiple bank statements to prove I have made said payment. The dishwasher doesn\\\'t work and the place was filthy upon arrival. We have made many requests for these things to change and they have not since we\\\'ve moved in almost 8 months ago. My roommates recently resigned their lease with them and are requesting a new apt to live in but I refused to until my account balance was fixed. Our experience at The Grove in Mobile has been nothing but turmoil since the day we sign our names on the lease. We are asking for a new unit as well a clear balance for all the trouble and unresponsive management. \\\"
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.
