Rent Problems Are Frustrating; but you're not alone: Thousands of tenants rely on RPA to solve problems
Other Tennent | Case#**-*938
Coram,
New York -
11727
Told landlord several times of downstairs smell coming from tenants apt. Of cat piss and litter box smell
I informed them I was moving to a bigger place and the cut my water supply off before I was able to | Case#**-*526
Hagerstown,
Indiana -
47346
When I moved into this trailer in their small trailer park, they knew it would be temporary. I have 3 children and a 2 bedroom trailer was too small for us. They agreed to allow me to rent from them for a month or shorter until my new place was ready. I gave them $100 to move in and over the next 2 weeks gave them an additional $300. They came to me on the 13th and asked me to switch the electric into my name. I had asked several times who the electric company was, with no response. This day they finally told me and I had it switched to my name immediately. I never heard anymore on this, I figured when they recieved the final bill I would be informed. Friday the 23rd of September I let them know I had found a bigger house and would be moving the following week. They became upset and produced the final electric bill totalling $123. It was circled for the days of August 23rd to September 16th. I did not move in until the 27th and according the the electric company the bill was put into my name the 14th. Well, I told tem I wouldn't be able to pay it until the 30th when I got paid again. Friday afternoon they turned the water off to the trailer but I turned it back on. This is all because I didn't have the money immediately to pay an electric bill they had just produced to me. Saturday evening they cut the hose to the water supply. I called the sheriffs department and they were informed it was wrong, but refused to supply me and my children with water the remainder of our stay. They told the sheriff deputy they are putting individual meters to each trailer so if they are even a day late they plan to cut off their water supply.
BEDBUG INFESTATION | Case#**-*870
Houston,
Texas -
77015
I called the rental office (6/25/12) and told them I had bed bugs. They said that they would call contractor to request inspection. I said I wanted to be there when the inspection went on so that I could show them the bugs. They said that that wasn't going to be possible because it was a contractor. They called me next day at 1:19pm to let me know that the contractor was there to inspect. I told them I wanted to be there. Luckly, a friend of mine was off and I called her to quickly go to my apartment. By the time she got there, the inspector was leaving and told her there were no bugs. I told told my friend to take the inspecator up stairs and show him were they were crawling on the walls. She did and the inspector spoke to me on the phone. He said that the infestation was bad because they were crawling on the walls. He mentioned that they were probably already there in the apartment when I moved in. The inspector said that he would write up the inspection and give it to the rental office, and that it was up to the apartment complex as to what would happen next, and what treatment they would approve. I have yet to hear from the apartment complex. This is why I am writting this complaint.
Bed Bugs | Case#**-*575
ELYRIA,
OH -
44035 1879
Informed of bed bugs 2/14/18. As of 2/27/18, no action has been taken. Claims it will be resolved 3/1, which is not reasonable. Spraying also has been proven ineffective, heat treatment is needed.
Retaliation For Filing A Complaint Of Excessive Noise Tenant Harrassment | Case#**-*285 I moved into the Landmarc Villa Apartments in Burien WA on April 29, 2014. I was told by Mel Parker that the apartment was quiet when I asked. I informed Mr Parker that I was a person with disabilities and needed a quiet environment. He did not disclose that Mr Marwell was a person with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder until I had moved in. Around June 6, 2014 Mr Marwell turned up the volume of his stereo to the point of rattling the walls and shaking a heavy mirror above the couch were I normally sat and caused my service dogs to start whimpering and showing signs of distress. Due to my disabilities it caused me major stress. I called to inform the manager of the situation and he sent out a letter informing all tenants that whomever did not follow the rules, to include noise, would be held accountable to include eviction. He said that he would not include my name to anyone. As a result of this action Mr. Marwell engaged in blasting his music to the point of hearing it outside his apartment for hours. I had to leave my apartment due to the noise and stress unduly imposed on me and my service dogs. Mr Parker and Assistant Manager Latasha Moore live a few doors down and did not come out to address Mr. Mar well's conduct. Another manager Pat was outside listening. On seeing her Kim another tenant approached Pat to see if she would mediate the situation but she referred her to Mr. Parker & Ms Moore's apartment which they cohabited. They did nothing. Mr. Marwell continued this behavior. There is only an answering machine for tenant contact. I was forced to call them on several occasions and also the Burien WA Sheriff's office. On 6/22/14 Deputy Kelly Kinser came out took the report and gave me case #14-7159-791. The managers had a investigation in progress and sent me a letter stating that Mr. Marwell now with his fiancee gave them a different account of events and that they listed contact with the girlfriend. They indicated a conversation with his girlfriend stating that I spoke to her asking how long she had been there visiting him. She had approached me and introduced herself and I followed up by asking her if she could hear any noise coming my apartment and she said no I had been quiet. Mr Marwell was present when this took place but gave a false accounting. The managers sent me a letter after "investigating" and retaliated saying I was the offending party and threatened eviction retaliating against me.
Bed Bug Infestation | Case#**-*658
MILL CREEK,
WA -
98012 4005
My husband and I experienced bites on our bodies the night after move in (2/28/2018), worried it was fleas we attempted to treat it ourselves. I called the leasing office shortly after, hoping there was something they could do and was told they could provide a pest control service but the next one wouldn’t be until 10 days out. In the meantime, my husband and i continued to be bit and we continued to clean and wash everything according to what we believed fleas needed. We came home on 3/19/2018 and saw that finally we would be serviced for 3/21/2018, however, some of the bites we experienced on our bodies had swelled down and we could see that the pattern of the bites were coinciding with bed bug bites and not flea bites. I immediately contacted the office that day and told them we were experiencing bed bug bites and were told we they would try and get pest control to come in for bed bugs. My husband and i were able to go through our belongings and find a huge bed bug on our mattress. We sent that picture to the office via email as soon as called and were told to do so. Later that night we kept investigating and found where the bed bugs were coming from, video recorded and sent that via email as well. We found many bed bugs hiding in between the crack of where the ceiling and wall meet. There was a lot of bed bug fecal matter and small dots/holes made into the wall by these creatures. Bed bugs procreate extremely fast and we are afraid this situation will get out of control. We are in complete agreement of having this issue treated by a professional, experienced and licensed bed bug company but also do not wish to live in this apartment any longer. The bed bugs have clearly been here before we moved in and seeing that they are living within the walls would have made it extremely hard to see upon move in. On the day of move in, you did not have our apartment ready at 3pm like we were told it would be because the boiler was not working. We were not able to move in until after 5pm, rushing us to get our belongings inside as we not given any other option but to move in to this apartment that day. We expected this apartment to be in suitable living conditions as it should be by law, but having proof of bed bugs within the walls clearly states it was not. We would like to break our lease for this specific apartment and be offered a NEW, clean and ready to move in apartment as soon as possible so our young child is not affected as well as our belongings.
Lack Of Peace And Quiet Afforded From Upstairs Renters | Case#**-*310
FRESNO,
CA -
93704 2011
I have lived in this apartment set for more than 5 years. Recently the upstairs unit was rented to a group of people that do not respect the privacy of others. They have parties going into the early morning hours, I can smell marijuana coming into my apartment and I\'m not even sure how many tenants are supposed to be there. There are different people coming and going at all hours. Complaints have been filed with the manager but nothing has been done because nothing has changed. Good units in NW Fresno are hard to find and when you do, prices are higher than what I am currently paying. My proposed solution is that the landlords (I believe to be a group of Taiwan investors from the Bay Area) pay for my moving expense. The new unit is $1450 per month compared to my current rent of $1000. As such, I\'m asking that the rent difference of $450 per month be paid by the Landlord/owners for 6 months, the same amount of time I\'ve had to endure the new upstairs tenants. I\'ve asked for a new single story downstairs location at this same site but nothing is available. I\'m also asking that the notice required by me to leave the unit be waived. The new rental is available 11-1-18 and I need to move in at that time.
I Was Left With Out Running Water; Its Now Day 4 | Case#**-*427
FILLMORE,
CA -
93015 1604
On the 12th of January, I contacted the manager regarding the slab leak. Due to it being first thing in the morning, we were limited with time due to a child being in the home. The manager won\\\'t hire any professional handyman, always companies that are related by blood or friends that cut corners and never complete work. Currently, I have had no running water for 4 days and was told to turn off and on the water when needed, now due to this my carpets are wet and mildewy. We are now waiting for a possible start date of 1/16/2023, but as of now, work has been started. I did confirm through text to a plumber on Thursday night by text but the plumber refused to read the text and blamed it on requiring a call for confirmation. Although these steps were not laid out, or instructed to us. We followed the same way he was communicating to us; through text. The manager lies and makes excuses in order to hire friends and family. When he could hire someone who isn\\\'t related and the issue could be resolved the same day.
Additionally, This landlord when complaints are brought instructs tenants to call for the plumbers and schedule the maintenance even though we give our work and personal time s we are available and not. We are not property managers or landlords. These steps should be carried out by them. Yet this manager is again, lazy and put forth no effort to act in the best interest of his clients.
Breach Of Agrement | Case#**-*259 Agreed that property was going to be in moving conditions by Nov 1st, signed lease and also gave security deposit of 2300 plus 1st month rent, the place is in the same conditions as of right now 11/05/2013, and property company is asking me to move in in those conditions, I want to break my lease due to not standing to our agreement and also obtain my money back.
Return back the deposit | Case#**-*543
Ft Lauderdale,
Florida -
33311
we were living for 10 years in the townhome never he had any complain about us we were a good tenats and we never boder him, we left the house in a good condictions, this is 3 months already, and in the first instance, he told us that he was going to send the check for our the deposit by mail is past 3 months and we were keeping calling him and he never return our calls. Finally one day he get the phone and he was very unpolite with me and he said that he might think not to give the deposit back, I jdidn't want to argue with him. But We were very fustrated about this matter, we thought we had a good relation with this landlord but we guest that not . Please help us in this matter we will appreciate everything that you can do for us
Sincerely,
Guillermo Tobon
Sonia Valdivieso
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.
