Rent Problems Are Frustrating; but you're not alone: Thousands of tenants rely on RPA to solve problems
Deposit Problem, Breach Of Agreement | Case#**-*232
MISHAWAKA,
IN -
46544 2138
On July 15, 2015, my husband and myself, Justin and LeKisha Myers signed a lease with Ms. Lin Scarberry to rent her apartment. On August 2nd, 2015, she served us with an eviction notice for noise violations. This eviction notice gave us ten days to leave her property. On August 11, 2015, we hired movers, moved from her house as requested and was instructed to meet her at the residence to do a walkthrough. We did just that, and had our own paperwork, where she signed stating that there were no damages done to the apartment and we would be getting our 500.00 deposit back. On August 20, 2015, we received court paperwork asking us to appear in court as she would be taking us to court for more damages. There were NO damages to the apartment. She did sign stating that there weren\\\\\\\'t any. However, when we received the court paperwork with our court date, the letter was included with her signature crossed through. We tried to contact her to discuss what damages, and she said she shouldn\\\\\\\'t have signed it. I have photos of the apartment showing no damage and photos of her at the time of the walkthrough. Also, there was no noise violation, and the police were never called out....I have checked with the neighbors and they all say, she moves persons in and out, and keeps their deposit. The neighbors called our upstairs apartment a revolving apartment. I believe she has taken advantage of many before us as well. We will be taking her to small claims for the deposit. At this point, it\\\\\\\'s not the money, but rather the fact she is taking advantage of young people. She rents it out, serves them with an eviction notice, then not only keep their deposit, but sues them for damages that never occur. I\\\\\\\'m sure then the other parties don\\\\\\\'t show up for court, and in turn a judgement is made against them. Not in my case, we will be going to court. Please help us. Thank you for yoru time.
PERSISTENT/CHRONIC BED BUGS | Case#**-*592
SOUTH DAYTONA,
FL -
32119 8451
I\\\\\\\'ve lived here for 7 years and only 7 months ago we started having a bed bug problem. They tented the entire building but the problem has not been resolved. I have expressed concern about health issues to management several times and nothing has been done in addition to eradicate the problem. This is a major nuisance and health violation in is against the law. Bed bugs have been proven to cause anemia as well as infection. I fear for the safety of myself and my family.
Security Deposit | Case#**-*514
PORTAGE,
MI -
49002 7142
A fee was deducted from my security deposit with no explanation. It said prorated fee for November 1-16th. It did not say rent owed, just this fee. I moved out on the 12th and paid the exact prorated amount for that time. There is nothing in the lease that allows for a fee, nor was I ever told there would be charge to prorate. I asked if I could and was told it would be fine. More than 30 days notice was given and the management chose not to even show my apartment to lease it sooner, and still hadn\'t leased it as of a few weeks ago. Most of the time I send responses or e-mails to management they claim not to get them so I am not going to keep wasting time with it since both of their e-mail addresses are broken only when there is a complaint. I have e-mailed Justin as well as the main number multiple times. I was sent a check and a sheet that had nothing deducted for damages or rent owed but listed this prorated fee with no explanation of how they came to this conclusion. The rest of my deposit was refunded. I was told on FB to call Lori and they gave me an extension, though when you call there is no option to enter an extension. I left a message at the number and again on FB, still have not heard back from Lori. All I asked for was an explanation of this fee, and a refund for it once no one could give me one.
Deposit Problems | Case#**-*878
MORENO VALLEY,
CA -
92551 1679
My landlord charged me for normal wear and tear and kept all but approximately $17 of my deposit after I left my apartment in the same condition in which it was presented to me. I never cashed the check because I felt it was an inaccurate lump sum of what was owed to me.
Threatened By Owners Of Other Condo After We Complained About Rules Violat | Case#**-*965
DENVER,
CO -
80204 5165
This is to document the serious nature of the issue with the tenants in 604 at The Watermark. We called to complain about the tenants using a power saw on their balcony in this unit that resulted in excessive noise and dust in the balcony area. They continued to use the loud equipment even after they were told to stop by the Watermark\\\'s building management. We unable to use our balcony or have our windows open until late in the day. Once we did go outside, we were confronted and threatened by one of the tenants who shouted at us across the way. We attempted to diffuse the situation by trying to reason with them, but the verbal threats continued.
We were immediately concerned for our safety. The noise complaints that were violated are in the buildings rule book and we did not feel our complaint to be out of line. The tenant shouting at us is unacceptable and we will not feel unsafe due people that live near us. This needs to be addressed immediately and taken with seriousness.
Please respond immediately with what the building will do to rectify and insure our safe living conditions.
unfair lease terms....rude to our family and children...lack.of repairs on home | Case#**-*729
Schriever,
Louisiana -
70395
We started renting this home in Feb of 2010..the day we moved in was a cold day and the heater did not work..we moved in on a Sat and could not get it fixed until the Monday. We paid a $800 deposit and 2 months rent upfront...$850 a month. We rent the 3 bedroom home and the lot it is on ( which the property has NEVER been subdivided). Throughout our lease we have had numerous situations where our appliances quit working due to burning wires in the breaker box and when it was called to his attention he got very hostile blaming us. We lived here one week when our bedroom closet doors fell on me and on of our laundry room doors fell on my young daughter. On another occasion we had family over and the central air stop working and it was the hottest part of the summer and he told me that we would have to find another place to stay until he could get it fixed...i had to pack up my family and stay with my grandmother for 3 days til he got it fixed...when i mentioned deducting the days we were UNABLE to stay there from the rent..he cursed my fiance out and told him he will just evict us. So we paid the full rent and didnt mention it again. He started repairs on the house...fixing broken boards and painting. He used our water to pressure wash the whole house and our electricity for his power tools and we were never compensated for the difference in our bill. We have been with water pressure for a lil over 6 months from him changing a pipe outside and i let him know many times and reminded him time and time and it never got fixed still to this day. I showed him water spots in our living room and both our kids room and he told me that its just from the duct work sweating.....mildew has set in around that spot. This pass jan 2012 when our tempature outside was down to 28..our central heating went out and dıd not get fixed for 2 weeks. My 12 month old ended up with pneumonia and spent 4 days in the hospital. As far as the property...for 2 years we have occupied the home and small lot..we have kept up the grass...parked our vehicles..placed our children a swing set and trampoline. As on 2 months ago he informs us that he no longer wants ANYONE trespassing on the land...we. only have access to 10 ft on the side of our home...his exact words were "we are taking back the property" he wants everything removed immediatly and and trespassers will be arrested. The rent stayed the same but he took away space for our children to. play and parking for us. We live on a main h
Place uninhabitable due to Roach Infestation and Failure to fix Toilets and Stove | Case#**-*238
Cary,
North Carolina -
27511
Roaches were everywhere and I saw more than 70 roaches within a 4 day period. On move in date, the toilets didn't work and the were not even looked at until Monday afternoon.
First of all this place is INFESTED with German Cockroaches (look them up on the internet).
On Friday I picked up my keys and saw the place for the 1st time. Immediately, I saw 4 roaches in the kitchen and in the bathroom. I asked for them to send out the exterminator but that wouldn't happen until Wed. On Sat afternoon when I returned to the apt with a few of my things, I saw a few dead roaches on the dining room floor, 3 roaches in one of the room's closet, more roaches in the kitchen and dining room floor and wall and bathroom. This wasn't the end of it though. On Sat afternoon, I went to the store and bought boric acid dust, roach bait, spectracide bug spray, and stuff to fill in the holes between the walls and the plumbing. I was determined to battle these roaches.
On Sat night I went back. Vacuumed every crack and crevice, cabinet and corner. Then I put boric acid dust in all of the cabinets and drawers, cracks and crevices, and down in the holes behind the sinks and toilets. I ran out of time so I left. When I returned on Sunday, it was worse. There were roaches in all of the stuff that I had brought (thankfully not much of it), more in the kitchen, more in one bedroom, more in the dining room, and now in the living room and hallway. By this time I had seen over 40 roaches in 2 days. I know they weren't all the same ones b/c I vacuumed up all that I saw on Sat. On Sunday, I had to spray b/c I was overwhelmed. I couldn't take it and couldn't believe it. I sprayed the bedrooms, leaving the kitchen open so they would move in that direction. I filled in the holes between the walls and the cabinets in the bathrooms and around the toilets. I also vacuumed each room again twice. By then though, I was really tired and couldn't believe I was working so hard to move into a place. Finally, Monday was the deal breaker. I went in to the apt on Monday am just to prove to myself that it was not livable. It was ridiculous. I opened the closet door in the master bedroom and there were at least 10-15 roaches on the door that scattered when the light hit them. There were more roaches on the walls, in the kitchen, in the cabinets, on the counters, in the living room, in my stuff, in the rooms. They were everywhere.
When I went to the property manager, she
Breach Of Contract With Retaliation By Manager | Case#**-*624
CHICAGO,
IL -
60640 3709
Jane Perryman the Manager dismisses complaints that involves reporting criminal activity in the Aragon Arms. Acts in an an unprofessional manner by threats of eviction due to the fact she knowingly won\\\\\\\'t remedy issues such as Active addict using unit to prostitute and sell narcotics through lower level window which resulted in unbearable living conditions to tenant who resided next door. She also illegally entered a unit and changed locks ignoring due legal process and proper notice of entry. Video recorded proof. Complaintant tried her best to work with management but Jane Perryman just wanted to cover herself by giving Termination of Tenancy to complaintant based on the fact she does not want to deal with the truth of her part in being negligent as a Manager.
Eviction-Rent money dispute | Case#**-*173
Milwaukee,
Wisconsin -
53211
Someone who wasn't welcome or invited to my house kicked in the doors, I happened to be home while my room mate was in Arizona along with her dad(who is also the property manager). The locks and doors were replaced and a week later I was sent an eviction notice that Bob had typed and was not court ordered, but I was still out in 3 days. Later I was sent a letter saying my half of security deposit, which I had been told was 375 at the time of moving in had now turned into 250 each, was being kept to pay for the doors. In the same letter he typed the cost and details of the repair, there was no work order or invoice which would prove he wasn't lying about the cost. The second letter also stated that because of my failure to give notice of moving out he was keeping my rent money I had paid early to pay for the rest of the doors, even though I had been given an eviction notice. The house is up for sale by the bank and there was no lease agreement signed. I have tried to contact him twice on the phone but he would lose his temper begin name calling and hang up. I also tried to contact his boss and it took me 3 calls in 10 minutes to even get transferred and when I did the secretary transferred me to Bob and Bob refused to let me talk to his boss.
Unclean Building Maintenance -- Lot Of Trash In Common Areas | Case#**-*531 We have three units in first floor in Apartment Building. Somebody dumped old window ac unit ,garbage in common walk area but no body is removing it. Laundry area is common but cloths are hanged in this area all the time. Building doesn't have proper USPS mail box so USPS men area leaving the two apartment people's letters on stair case.
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.
