Rent Problems Are Frustrating; but you're not alone: Thousands of tenants rely on RPA to solve problems
Pest Problem And No Making Repairs | Case#**-*784
Greensboro ,
North Carolina -
27409
I have lived in this Apartment for 7 years at least, but for the last couple months I have been dealing with a pest issue, which is roaches. I have not had this issue in the previous years, but it is terrible. They are coming out of the walls, cabinets, and any spaces that are attached to the walls. I have a small child and she has had numerous respiratory issues and I’m concerned for her well being.
Deposit Issue | Case#**-*731
Holly Springs,
North Carolina -
27540
Retaining $225 of deposit stating their is damage and paint issues. Upon given notice to vacate property Mr.Mckeeman did a detailed walkthrough submitted in writing his findings and stated that all we as tenants were accountable for was cleaning. At this time I asked if he’d like we could paint the house back to white and he said “no, I’ll be painting it white regardless before putting it up for sale..”. I asked again he confirmed and handed us his checklist in ink signed by him zero cost for paint and all of his findings. Also states dog damage to 2 unfinished wood steps in the garage and a12 inch molding in the kitchen which is scratched and fading paint which was not my dog but my wheelchair. A deposit of 250 was charged upon move in and my supposed dogs damage would be settled with that deposit. As far as paint he in writing and verbally asked about returning color back to white. He said no and documented on his inspection checklist. We did absolutely everything to receive our full deposit back and is now reneging. We have over 60 email exchanges, text messages , approvals on paint scenes and assurances over 7.5 years proving he has no basis to retain balance of deposit. All I want is what is due back to us. He is illegally retaining our deposit balance and we as tenants did absolutely everything asked if us and in writing. Just want what is fair. Mr..Mckeemsn has forever changed our opinion because of his business practices and therefore ruining our experiences and memorie of a house we called a home for 7.5 years.
Not moving in, wont return security deposit | Case#**-*094
Dallas,
Texas -
75204
Filled out online application. In the applicant agreement section - stated that application fee($50) and admin fee ($150) would be processed if application was accepted. The section about the Security deposit ($200) was not filled out in the applicants agreement section. Form was emailed to me by Chad listing financial responsibilities for the apartment - the 3 amounts listed above. Needed to return the form signed agreeing to the above amounts. Firm never returned. All monies drafted regardless without permission to take securit deposit out along with admin and application fees. Checked bank account and unexpected draft noted. Called apartment and asked about receiving security deposit back - stated that it cannot be retuned with no further explanation. Form not signed - yet money taken.
Landlord Refuses To Do Repairs - Dangerous Living Conditions | Case#**-*396 Failure to provide reasonable waterproofing and weather protection;
• The ventilation in the house is such that cold and warm air enter though the back door leading to the living room, making the room uninhabitable during weather extremes
Failure to maintain in good working order electrical, plumbing, and sanitary facilities;
• Unable to change ceiling light bulbs in the Kitchen, Living Room, Hallways, and 2nd Guest Bedroom due frayed wires that have shocked me over the period of the past three years intermittently. The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) 2007 stated that homes that have exposed electrical wiring do not protect inhabitants from injury and can cause serious psychological stress are categorized as being "severe" housing problems.
• Plumbing is in substandard conditions with slow water pressure
• The 2nd Bathroom bathtub is pealing and is in poor condition
• Toilets do not flush properly or back up consistently
• Kitchen sink has a crack in it due to poor sink casting material originally installed, otherwise known as “Thin Gauge” Sinks that are cheap and wear out quickly
• Master Bedroom Bathroom sink has worn out and is cracking due to poor casting material originally installed; otherwise known as “Thin Gauge” Sinks that are cheap and wear out quickly
Maintaining the premises in a manner hazardous to the health, safety, and peace of mind of the tenant;
• The Back gate continues to wrap in different seasonal weather conditions, and does not close and lock on most occasions, leaving the property at safety risk.
• Large cracks are visible in multiple areas around the exterior of the house
• The window locks in the bedrooms have weakened and are not functional
• The Back Fence adjunct to the garage has deteriorated and often falls down
• Inoperable smoke alarms in the 1st and 2nd Guest bedrooms and hallway
• Smoke alarms that are not up to code. Beginning July 1, 2014, the State Fire Marshall will not approve a smoke alarm that is solely battery-powered unless it contains a non-removable, non-replaceable 10-year battery.
• Doors and doorknobs that are nearly seventy years old are deteriorating and are not functional.
• The door to the 2nd hallway bathroom has to be pushed open, and does not close. The foundation for the door has deteriorated and the door does not lock
• The hallways doors and 2nd Guest Bedroom doors do not close properly. The foundation for the doors has also deteriorated and the door jams
BED BUGS & SKIN DAMAGED | Case#**-*172 WHEN ME AND MY KIDS MOVED IN DEC 2013, OUR ROOM WASN'T READY, WE HAD TO WAIT FOR FEWS OURS IN OUR CARS BECAUSE THE LADIES WERE BUSY CLEANING THE APARTMENT STILL, THE CLEANING LADY SAID IT WAS TOO MUCH MESS AND SORRY THEY DIDN'T FINISH ON TIME. BEFORE WE MOVED IN, ANITA MENTIONED BUGS ABOUT THE APARTMENT, I DIDN'T THINK THAT IT'S THIS BAD. AFTER MOVING IN, I STARTED FEELING ITCHY BUT NOT AS MUCH, NOT REALIZING FEWS MONTHS LATER IT GOT WORSE AND WORSE I WAS COVERED WITH SKIN RASH. I CONTACTED MY LANDLORD IF THEY CAN SCHEDULE SOMEONE TO SPRAY MY APARTMENT BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON. IN MAY THEY SCHEDULE THE PEST CONTROL, SOMEONE CAME OVER AND CHECKED, 18 YR OLD WAS AT HOME AT THE TIME, THE GUY TOLD MY SON THAT THERE IS NO BUG, I DIDN'T HEAR FROM THE LANDLORD OR NOTIFIED ME ABOUT ANY RESULT OF THAT VISIT. 2 WKS LATER, I CALLED THE LANDLORD AGAIN, TALKED TO THE LANDLORD, SHE SCHEDULED THE PEST CONTROL AGAIN, THIS IS THE 2ND TIME, I PUT AWAY EVERYTHING, BU NO ONE SHOWED UP. I WAS GONNA WAIT TO CALL THEM THE NEXT DAY TO FIND OUT WHATS GOING ON, BUT THEY ALREADY DELIVERED A LETTER, STATING THAT THERE WERE GONNA CHARGE ME 80 FEES BECAUSE I CHANGED THE LOCK WITHOUT TELLING THEM, I CALLED THAT SAME MORNING AND TALKED TO ANITA, AND TOLD HER THAT I NEVER CHANGED THE LOCK, BUT ALL SHE WAS TALKING ABOUT WAS BLAMING ME FOR THE BUGS AND CHANGING THE LOCK WHICH I NEVER DID.I SAID, WHY DON'T U MEET ME AT THE APARTMENT SO U CAN SEE IN YOUR EYES THAT I DIDN'T CHANGE THE LOCK? BUS SHE REFUSED. MONDAY, JUNE 2ND, I MISSED WORKED AND WENT TO SEE THE MANAGER. I TOLD THE MANAGER THAT I NEVER CHANGED THIS LOCK, BUT IT'S WEIRD HOW THEYRE TRYING TO BLAME ME FOR CHANGING THE LOCK THATS WHY THE GUY COULDN'T GET IN THE APARTMENT. THE MANAGER WAVED THE FEES WHEN THEY SENT LETTERS TRYING TO BLAME ME FOR STUFF, BUT SHE WANTED ME TO PAY 380.00 FOR BUG TREATMENT IF THEY FIND ANY BUGS IN THE APARTMENT. I NEVER AGREED TO THAT CUS I CANT AFFORD IT. SHE SCHEDULED THE PEST CONTROL AGAIN FOR THE 3RD TIME, AND SUPPOSED TO SHOW UP ON JUNE 4TH TO CHECK FOR BUGS AND OF COURSE NO ONE SHOWED UP AGAIN, MY SON WAS HOME ALL DAY, NO ONE SHOWED UP. WE NEED HELP FOR THIS LANDLORD TO COME AND TREAT THESE BUGS BECAUSE THEY ARE EATING US ALIVE EVERY NIGHT, AND THEY ARE NOT DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT. OUR SKIN LOOK SO UGLY NOW EVERY MORNING WE WAKE UP WITH RASH ON OUR BODIES AND WE ARE GETTING SO FRUSTRATED WITH THEM NOT DOING ANYTHING ABOUT. WE KNOW THERE IS BUGS, HOW THE HELL WE HAVE BITES ON OUR BODIES?
Bed Bugs Found In Our Apartment For The Second Time After Being Treated. | Case#**-*076 My husband and I have lived at Camelot Apartments since August 7th 2012. We moved into this apartment on the 7th of April 2014 and on the 14th of April we complained to the property manager Colleen about bed bugs. She scheduled Terminex to treat our apartment on the 17th of April. We complied fully and did everything they asked. Once treated, Terminex confirmed that we were not the source of the bed bugs and they were coming from somewhere else. We were not told of any other apartments being inspected. To our knowledge they have not done anything else to prevent this from happening a second time. On the 10th of May we began to get bit again, and find even more bugs crawling on us than before. We did a deep clean, washed everything and vacuumed. When we kept finding more we went back to Colleen and Terminex is coming yet again, to do the same treatment that was done before. We are having to pay out of pocket for a four and a half day stay at a hotel. Not to mention pay our rent for a home that is inhabitable. Management does not seem to show any sympathy or really care how horrible this is for us. And they certainly do not seem as though it is a priority that is being pressed.
Disrespectful Threatment,refuses To Explain Charges And Send Bill On Time | Case#**-*856 Rainier rentals 2 women who denies to give you her name and one man who claim be the manager dave sargent refuses to take calls,when they take the call yell at you, they are extremely disrespectful they dont listen they leave you on hold forever hang up on you you have to call them several times to allow them to take note, say i will call you back but that never happen,for a copy of my contract i have had to wait week and a half even when i let them now why Was urgent,its extremely difficult talk to them due the way they threat you they prefer to say read it first instead to explain charges, yell me, worst experience ever! Extremely dissapointing service because they send a statement without copy of the eléctric Bill charging me utility charge July for $68.15, even I paid send a check and now they are charging me june and July again!In september 20 i receive one statement now with copy of electricity bill with charges due since 08/24/2014,reconexion fees and another one due since 09/01/2014! I am still waiting response on their behalf because they fail to send copy of eléctric bill, they send statement showing i should pay July i did and in the end they are out of control they seem not to have order they work slow they dont want to tell why they are charging this amount, send bill in september charging june, July, August and now i am so afraid to call because they talk to me without respect and i will not allowed them talk to me or my family in that way again. They have a Job to do, then, do it this is not the first time they are this way, when i tried to complaint with the person who claim be the manager he said theres nothing i can do i will call you back and that never happen and even he threat me so disrespectful like they are the law and if i want to complain theres nothing i can do because they rule? No, sr. I have rights and they own me an apology for the horrible way they talk to me and an explanation because they should not be so careless about ok go ahead pay July and later guess what ? Pay june, July again and send me the electricity bill soooo over due . I will not allow them to make fun of me because i am mexican. And send the information about the manager of person above manager to complain with in case if needed because in a bussiness always have to be somebody above. I also request to rainier rentals pay the fee i have had to pay because they cannot. Give respect or information in a simple phone call.
Roach Infestation | Case#**-*925
Apple Valley,
California -
92308
The entire apartment complex is getting infested with roaches. The owner is a slum lord. He will just say well then mive. Why should everyone have to pick up and mive because he dont want to fix an unhealthy situation. Its bad. The infestation is getting worse by the day.
repair issue,management problems | Case#**-*449
OAK LAWN,
IL -
60453 4576
can somebody come to fix what it needs to be fixed in my apartment i am waiting for 3 month nobody comes!
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.
