Rent Problems Are Frustrating; but you're not alone: Thousands of tenants rely on RPA to solve problems
Breach of Agreement | Case#**-*474
Pomona,
California -
91766
Discussed with Landlord when he was demo'ing on 12/8 and received no response. Discussed again on 1/5 and landlord became beligerant and hostile advised that he would in fact be demo'ing. Advised that if he wanted to pay for the gas for me to drive to work (140mi R/T) then I would be more than happy to vacate, and he advised that he was refusing to pay for gas and that he would still be working on the house and that it was not his problem that I worked from home (even though this was the agreement when I moved in).
Bed Bug Issues | Case#**-*877 I have had bedbug problems since i moved here in April of 2013. I have brought this up with the management on multiple occasions. They have treated twice but the problem persists. I gave notice and was told I needed to be bug free and the exterminator would be out to do so. No one came at all. I was charged over $100/mo for being here without a lease so i signed a 7 month lease. My girlfriend wants to move in together so i left a $150 deposit to hold a larger apt but was told after they took it I can't move and the money was not returned.
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.
Health Problems Smoke Fumes In \"smoke Free\" Rental | Case#**-*240
BOSTON,
MA -
02120 2958
Tobacco smoke fumes have been a problem in the condo and the hallways for many months. at 1482 Tremont St and our building is supposed to be smoke free. We made many phone calls and 2 official written complaints about the issue to management. They sent out a number of notices in paper and email to all tenants they had received \"many\" complaints about smoking reminding tenants to not smoke. Otherwise they did nothing and didn\'t even notify maintenance to address it in a work order nor be concerned enough about the unhealthy air quality to ask me about the ongoing difficulties. Maintenance suggested we close our bathroom door to minimize the smoke in my apartment stating that we shared vents with out units but that was not an option. Finally I had no choice but to escape the unhealthy environment and notified them I was leaving December 1, 2017, which I did. Now they want me to pay them 2 more months rent, but I want them to refund my last 2 months rent when I was still suffering despite my requests to them.
Conspiracy And Intent To Defraud Tenants Of Security Deposit | Case#**-*893
APOLLO BEACH,
FL -
33572 1517
Robert Angellini(Property Manager), Kimberly Pursell(1st Owner), Laura A Smith(Agent), Charles C Smisek,/Moscha I Koronias(2nd Owner)
Kimberly Pursell failed to fix repairs at the house rented by William J. Polhamus and Barbie Mathia reported on the check-in sheet. She sold the house to a new owner,
and upon release from the contract a month early - being compensated to move out early with no pro-rotated amount after being ask to leave so new tenants could move in which they did not. and did also not return the full months last rent according to the contract because he did not know the amount in the contract, the new owner is claiming normal wear and tear and discoloration on 3 year old carpet in order to compensate for repairs not fixed or disclosed to the new owner, by not not returning the full amount of the security deposit. The new owner/owners conspired to defraud the former tenants by asking the former agent/owner to not talk about the issue with the former tenant, and also refusing to comply with a possible court subpoena or not to get involved per the new owners if any litigation where to take place. The old property manager promised to talk to the new owners about moving out 2 months in advance to do lack of affordable housing, buy never said anything to the new owners, and did not forward any information to the tenants until a month later so they could contact him.
Deposit Problems | Case#**-*809
Greensboro,
North Carolina -
27406
my landlord did a walk through of the apartment a day before i moved out and i was not home at that time. when i arrived home she then stated the stove was dirty and the one couches were broken but she would refund be back my deposit. two weeks later i texted her to get the status of my refund she stating she met with a lawyer and she found more things wrong with the apartment that she never mentioned to me.
Breach Of Agreement | Case#**-*870
Long Island City,
New York -
11101
As we had notified our building management, we required a 24-hour notice before they enter our unit to show the unit to potential future tenants. We have this agreement written via email between us and the management. It is also mentioned in our lease that the management or the owners are not allowed to enter our unit without a proper notice or our permission unless it\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s an emergency. We found out today by one of the brokers that he and potential future renters were in our unit while we were not home. We have tried to contact management and no response, they basically told us hat we can go ahead and call 911! There is possibly some money missing from our unit and we think that it was the people who came into our unit while we were not there.
Thank you,
Sonia and Ehsan
Pest Problem, Rent Fraud | Case#**-*066
AMELIA,
OH -
45102 1789
I paid rent on 9/5/2019 1775.00 which is my monthly rent amount. The rental company reversed my rent payment off and applied it to a water bill and then charged me a 75.00 late fee for rent being late. Rent and water is a separate charge. Also, ive never received a water bill so dont know the accuracy of charges. Ive asked several times still no bill. Now my rent look like its unpaid and 499.00 short, but it was paid on time. Now im at risk for eviction. This was my last month before renewing lease. Ive been here 5 years and this has never been done. Also, i have mice and snakes in home that was pre-existing per my lease anything pre-existing is there responsibility they have never properly corrected this problem.
Breach Of Agreement | Case#**-*503 In Nov. 2014 American Homes 4 Rent began a remodeled website to sent rental payments. For the next two months (November,December 2014) the online site would not allow us to register to pay our rent. We moved from mid-Michigan in June and continue to do our banking with a credit union in Michigan. Since we do not have local access to our funds, we had to wait to have a certified check sent to us to pay rent by certified funds since we had passed the 5 day Grace period for December rent + $50 late fee. In January 2015 I realized that I had mistakenly placed the wrong checking account to pay the rent. (We had also opened a local account to avoid future issues) Since these issues have taken place I don't receive responses.
Deposit Problem. Gave 1000.00 deposit without signing a lease. | Case#**-*422
morrisville,
Pennsylvania -
19067
I gave a 1000.00 deposit on an 1br apartment at tyler arms. After 48 hr I decided to not take the apartment. No lease was signed. the only exchange was my 1000.00 with a reciept from the property manager. Now the property manger is giving me the run around in reguard to refunding my deposit. the apartment was never taken off the market. and the property manger continue to show the unit after he had my deposit.
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.