tenants have rights, solving security deposit problems is your right...
Every day, tenants like you, turn to the RPA to quickly get deposits refunded & unfair charges dropped.Filing a Complaint with the RPA is the fastest and most effective way to get your deposit refunded and unfair deductions dropped. - even attorneys rely on the RPA to help solve dispute problems for their clients. As a tenant you have rights to fight for your every penny of your deposit. Yes, the RPA fight to get your deposit back.
What Security Deposit Problems Can the RPA solve?
Did you know... the RPA accepts all deposit complaints, but these are the most common complaints resolved by our organization:
Security Deposit Refunds
Getting your security deposit back promptly.
Charges to Security Deposit
Unfair, False, Unreasonable, or other types of deductions
TIP: On the complaint form you can request that your landlord reimburse you for the $35 complaint filing fee. (that's the only required fee to file a complaint)
Rent Problems Are Frustrating; but you're not alone: Thousands of tenants rely on RPA to solve problems
Harassment, Repairs, Rent | Case#**-*942
Fort Worth,
Texas -
76106
I moved in with my boyfriend that was rented a room from Mr Valasquez. My boy friend and Mr. Valasquez had a problema way before I moved in Mr. Valasquez kick my boyfriend out without any notice just throw him out and when that was happening Mr. Valasquez started telling me bad things touching all over me all told me if I want to stay I had to pay my part of the rent so I did but even with me paying my rent him would still boughter me kick open the door when they dont do anything around here when I move in u couldn\'t walk thou this house I painted I would fix the pluming the yard was nasty I fixed it up I fixed windows doors everything I would even clean Mr Valasquez bedroom and wash his clothes would buy everything and do everything and not get paid for my work but get bet and kick out by Mr. Valasquez and by the way I\'m 3 months pregnant and he hits on me that way his not the power of the house he rent from the owners he dont pay rent but changes me my boyfriend and one one guy 300 dallors my boyfriend tired to talk to the main owners but they said its between them two but Mr Valasquez won\'t let me alone and is trying to kick me out
doesnt pay bills | Case#**-*279
LOUISVILLE,
KY -
40212 1844
Ive always pay him on time i stay in a rooming house
since november second ive been renting through him 350 a month every month is summin different first cable,water he always turns it back on illegally now it the electricty he tried turning it on illegally but the turned it off from the pole its been off since the 30th of may i have a 1 month old daughter and i have no air also when the power was turned off so was the hot water i shouldnt have to give my daughter a cold bath plus he has exstinion cords run from too houses over to mine i just want my money back
Black Mold | Case#**-*451 I have lived in the apartment for 9 months. Once it started getting cold and we turned on the heat we started getting pretty bad coughing. Two days ago my daughter was diagnosed with alergen asthma which has never been present before. A week prior to that i was diagnosed with the same problem. My pharmacist suggested i check the ventilation in the apartment. As soon as i got home is pulled the filter from the receiving air duct. There was extensive water damage and rotting wood and mold. I checked the vents that are high on the wall and noticed rust on them that had been painted over multiple times and the vents were so thick with paint they were sealed to the wall. I reported the mold to the regional manager of LAwson Realty because they own the apartment complex. They responded, the had an inspector come in and look at the mold, and put us into a hotel and is giving us 3 days while they fix it. They refused to test what type of mold specifically although i stressed that my daughter was severly sick and i need to know whats in her body. I was informed i had to pay for my own. I had to request a seize work order because they were trying to go in and strip everything before i could get a testing. My inspector came in this morning confirmed black mold and other mold, extensive water damage and its all old damage nothing new, he said it was in all of my belongings as well and to leave immediately and that it was not possible to fix in 3 days. My daughter has been out of school for two days now due to difficulty breathing. The damage was well known by the management and staff of crosswinds, they are owned by a realtor company which by law has to comply to specific standards. Lawson Realty company gets a tax break for having income restricted housing. The damage is obvious to anyone doing an inspection to keep up to code. My daughter is allergic to weeds and molds so their neglect has increased her medical issues and could have caused hospitalization.
Repair Issue | Case#**-*309
Nashville,
Tennessee -
37205
My hot water in my tub has been leaking causing my electric bill over $300 a month and I\\\\\\\'ve called to have it fixed now either they fix it or they should pay half of my electricity
Unjust Repair Charges After Move-Out | Case#**-*021 I moved out of apartment 4130B at 111 South to head to my summer job in Pennsylvania on June 6, 2014, which was prior to the end of my lease on July 31. Prior to my departure, I requested an inspection, which the management denied indicating that the apartment cannot be inspected until all occupants leave. I shared the apartment with three other members of my college community at Georgia Southern, and had no familial relationship with any of them.
On September 20, 2014, I a letter was mailed to my home indicating that I had $240 in charges related to cleaning and damage for the common area and my private space #4130B. Prior to leaving the apartment, I thoroughly cleaned the bathroom and other areas. I sent the apartment the pictures I took of my private space prior to leaving on June 6th, and before they did their inspection of the space approximately two months later. As noted in my picture all surfaces of the bathroom is clean, while the management is later showing the water marks that likely occurred over the two months the space was vacant.
Further, management has made me solely responsible for all charges related to damage of the couch, wall discoloration, and cleaning of the laundry in the common areas. The Company promotes its apartments to college students with individual leases, and even does roommate placing. I fail to understand why one college student is determined to bear the charges for a common area that is promoted to three others. I was not, and still am not, related to any of the renters with whom I shared the space, and will not carry a liability for them. Everyone is required to sign a separate lease, and as such, it is the obligation of the management team to separately pursue charges with all occupants, not move it to one student to pursue recoupment from other students. At no time during the leasing process did I sign up to be placed in charge of other students, and to be held liable for their actions/debt.
I deem all the charges from 111 South/TPCO/The Preiss Company unjust and unwarranted. The company failed to inspect my apartment when requested, and later appears with trumped up expenses to hold me solely liable for damage in a common area shared with three other individuals. The Company further indicates that all charges should be paid by October 30, or it will be turned over to collections. I hereby, deny ownership of these charges, and note that the Company needs to refrain from tarnishing my credit profile.
Guest Bias/ Harassment | Case#**-*482
SAN FRANCISCO,
CA -
94158 2525
The tenant\\\'s partner (guest) has been repeatedly watched, recorded and reprimanded in the presence of other residents and unfairly denied entrance to the building with threats of being physically removed by authorities if seen on the premises. The tenant has mental and physical conditions that require assistance throughout the day. Also, the tenant has a minor child. Support before and after school is necessary as well. Tenant and partner ( guest) are not opposed to an increase in rent and want to modify the lease to reflect that. Property Management has yet to present amicable solutions. Only a frivolous
paper trail designed to prove incompetence and discredit both me and my partner (guest).overwrap
Cigarette/Marijuana Smoking | Case#**-*694
RAHWAY,
New Jersey -
07065
Several of the tenants in the building are smoking cigarettes and marijuana inside their apartments. I\'m a 100% percent sure that the tenant in B16 is smoking cigarettes inside his apartment because the smell s traveling into my apartment. When i enter/exit the building every day, you can smell the aroma of marijuana and cigarettes through out the apartment building. This is a smoke free building and it\'s on everyone\'s lease. I shouldn\'t have to enter the building nor my apartment and smell this everyday!!!
Monthly Rent Payment Dispute | Case#**-*614
Maple Grove,
Minnesota -
55369
I paid our rent for the month of September 2009 sometimes the first week in september last year. Little did I know that I had issued the wrong check. Because of that, the check I had issued bounced. At the end of that same month (September), we received a letter from the rental office informing us that our check bounced therefore we had to immediately pay our rent for the month of september by purchasing a money order instead of issueing another check. Since we had some cash on hand ($280.00), I immediately went to the bank and withdrew 620.00 to add to that 280.00. I bought the money order from Cubs and attached a check of $50.00 non sufficient funds/ late fee to the $900.00 money order and presented it to one of the rental office staffs called Haidi on October 1, 2009. When we applied for an apartment at Eagle Ridge last year, they checked our credit history and told us that we did not have good credit therefore, inorder for us to live there we should pay two months upfront. We did just that. We paid for the last two months, May and June this year. On april 2, 2010 when I went at the rental office to drop up our last rent for the lease check, I reminded Heidi that this was our last check for our lease and that we were going to be renewing our lease for one more year, when they were ready for us to do that. She said no, you guys still owe for two more months. I asked her to look in their records but she could not find anything to prove that we had paid our rent upfront for May and June this year. I immediately reached into my wallet and presented to her the receipts to that effect. She asked me to photocopy them and i allowed her do that. After about two weeks or so, we received a letter from the rental office informing us that we had not paid our rent for the month of September 2009. They requested that we present evidence that we have paid for that month or else we have to pay again. I went in to Ginny and explained myself to her. I showed her my bank statements because we had misplaced the stub from the money order bought. But she is still insisting that we present that receipt from the money order or else we pay again and we cannot imagine paying that rent the second time this is why we need your timely intervention.
Repair Issues | Case#**-*245
SN BERNRDNO,
CA -
92404 2774
My restroom bathtub water want stop running Hot water and tve floor is extremely hot in restroomas well, both making my rest room extremely hot. Also my shower head is broken, i put in a work order for maintence to fix 2months ago, andbeen waiting 2months and no one has came to repair anything.
Termination Of Lease | Case#**-*442
SOUTH HOLLAND,
IL -
60473 1042
. I am emailing you in regards to filing a complaint, I moved into the property on July 24 2016 and since myself and my children have moved in we all have become very ill. My children are 2 yrs old and 5 yrs old, we all have nose bleeds severe coughs sneezing and red eyes skin rashes and respiratory issues since residing in the home.
I spoke to my landlord about the issues as there is mold, chipping paint, mildew and high levels of moisture in the home along with the ceiling and walls cracking due to foundation issues. When first moving in I did not see any of these things because they painted over the issues and the cracks . The basement has tree branches growing through the foundation and also mold and mildew. I have contacted them several times and was advised that they felt that it was just water stains. My two year old has ingested paint chips from the wall as it has not been fixed. I have contacted them with no real fix to the issues. My landlord is Leonard Klemp and Cheryl Klemp. I have attached some pictures of the issues. I have also contacted south holland code enforcement
Deposit Dispute 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 Me Get My Deposit Back?
As a tenant you have the right to get every penny of your deposit back. When you file a complaint through the Rental Protection Agency this starts a formal dispute resolution process in which the RPA will do everything in our power to see that your landlord promptly resolves your complaint. Landlords know that if they fail to cooperate with the RPA it can result in a negative public record that can make it hard for them to fill vacancies in the future.
Why is there a Filing Fee of $35
The $35 filing fee is the only required fee to process a complaint. The fee is required to help offset the cost of representing your complaint. The RPA complaint center is designed as a low cost legal solution for tenants and in most cases is more affordable than other legal options. Many tenants will compare the cost of filing a complaint to the cost of not filing a complaint. If you file a complaint and the problem is resolved will the solution be worth the cost of filing the complaint?
TIP: Don't forget, on the complaint form you can request that your landlord reimburse you for filing fee.
Most tenants file a complaint with the RPA to solve the problem such as getting a deposit refunded, or to get an unfair charge or deduction removed. However, some tenants file a complaint to report the landlord publicly as a warning to other tenants. When a complaint is filed against a landlord it will show up on their public record which is indexed by all major search engines. Filing a complaint is one way for tenants to stand up against bad landlords to warn future tenants about deposit problems they've had.
Does the RPA Guarantee to Solve My Deposit Refund Complaint?
We do guarantee to do everything in our power to solve each complaint that is filed. However, there are some situations where bad landlords fail to cooperate. The RPA can't force a landlord to comply if they refuse; but we can impact their public record which can make it difficult for them to find new tenants. We guarantee to represent the complaint and to create a public record against landlords that fail to resolve complaints.
Will My Name Show up Publicly?
No. After the complaint is closed and made public; your information (tenant name) is removed. During the complaint process your complaint can only be accessed through your case number and pin number. Both the landlord and tenant are assigned a pin number that is unique. The RPA protects tenant's privacy by blocking your name from the public record database. However, the record does show the landlord name.
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.
All 50 States have regulations that protect security deposits. In most cases the landlord is required to provide a refund within 30 days and must provide proof cost associated with charges or deductions against your deposit. Many states require the landlord to furnish copies of receipts for work completed. If you have a deposit refund dispute or feel your landlord is being unfair with your security deposit; you have rights. Filing a complaint is one of those rights.
