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
Manager Has Something Against Us | Case#**-*818
COLTON,
CA -
92324 7105
Manager threatend us outside of apartments stating she was our manager, after a bad incounter
Bed Bugs /maintenance | Case#**-*822
Austin ,
Texas -
78745
I sent a \"maintenance request\" to the property via \"tenant portal\" stating my daughter is being bitten by bugs and could they spray the apartment, and that the air filter needed changed, mold is growing around the windows,and that the water get cold very quickly... Still no response from them...
Bed Bug Infestation | Case#**-*017
DENVER,
CO -
80206 3634
I moved into my apartment over 3 years ago bug free. Several of the units in this building have gotten bed bugs. I have asked several times for my landlord to spray my apartment as prevention. They have sent the maintance man up to spray a few times, but hes is not a professional. About 7 days ago I found that the bed bugs had made their way into my apartment. I feel that pretty much everything that I own has been desrtroyed. The landlord doesnt really seem to care, and admits that the owners of the property don't want to put much money into fixing the problem in the building. Shameless.
Stacking Penalty Fees | Case#**-*380
JACKSONVILLE,
FL -
32256 3798
My rent and water sewer fees are always on time or paid early, however a prior payment of the public utilities of water returned a money order indicating the money order was outdated, the complex charged a returned check fee to my account. In addition the original money order was never returned to me and notice regarding this matter was never given for several months after the fact. I travel for my living and am away for extended periods of time ...no email no phone call etc until a notice was attached to my front door claiming I owed close to 300 hundred dollars by my son who is a tenant also. In addition water usage is based on square footage compared to actual usage. As noted I travel out about 75% of my time so 1 person is using my utilities Please also note the returned money order amt for the water bill was paid at the time of notification.
Unprofessionalism And Horrible Living Conditions | Case#**-*816 This apartment complex has continuously requested the same renters insurance policy documents over and over. I have multiple concerns, the renter insurance policy has been requested multiple times and I have had a leak in the roof over my shower since October 2013. I have reported this multiple times to the front office and nothing has been resolved, also the bathroom sink pipes were duck taped and painted over to camouflage it. On 3/6/14 I returned home after being away to three notices stating no renters insurance, the other was a three day notice to move me out of the apartment if the information was not updated. This was previously given to the office about a month ago, when I inquired on why do I continuously receive these notices and that it's embarrassing like I have not paid my rent. The office rep. Melanie was rude and unhelpful, she stated that I could comply with the rules or move out! This of course did not help the situation and all I needed was to be heard. I asked for my gate key "I need my damn gate key" and she jumped up stated that I will need to speak to the office manger since I cursed. Heather looked through the glass and sent the maintenance guy out to pose as another supervisor (Undra) just to ask me to leave the office. I asked him again for my gate key and he refused and stated I would need to com back tomorrow to receive it, when I asked for corporate number he again refused. Then went to ask Heather something and came back stating if I did not leave the office then security would escort me out. They treated me like a second class citizen, who deliberately causes trouble. I was disgusted as a nearly two year lease holder whom has never been late on paying rent. I left the office as I knew nothing would be resolved, I then called the corporate office to leave a message for Joanne the regional manger but the call has not been returned although I was told 24 hours. I spoke with Karen the office coordinator whom also wasn't helpful because I have called multiple times and again no resolution. When I returned the next day 3/7/14 Heather finally comes out the office and stated she will not be excepting my rent for this month and would not explain why. At this point I started to move my possessions out of the apartment and need resolution. As of 3/15/14 they have yet to contact me regarding the development of the issue.
slow moving landlord, acts only only self beneficail rights | Case#**-*517
wilmington,
Delaware -
19801
We have had issues with landlord almost from the moment we moved in. Mainly dealing with him not addressing issues with this unit in a timely manner even after constantly reminding him in person, by email and text. He acknowledged the issues and still took months to fix it. I didnt realize that according to the law, and these circumstances alone, I could've broken my lease then. But we stuck in there, tried to be patient and work with him. But we unfortunately hit a financial stump and still managed to scrape our rent together each month. It was at that point that he didn't want to work with us and all of a sudden wanted to throw around all of these codes and laws that benefit only himself. Failing to remeber all of his many shortcomings just months before and threatened to file eviction even after accepting money that was late. My husband has a new job that puts him in another state and over thirty miles away. According to deleware laws we can break our lease early based on those circumstances alone. We sent a letter from my husbands job as well as a letter from us exposing the basis of our 30day notice . I am hoping that we cN jist get out of this nightmare of a lease with no further issues from him
Repairs | Case#**-*576
Portales,
New Mexico -
88130
No hot water in bathroom sink and kitchen kitchen floor needs fixed. Broken window air-conditioned dose not work. No vents. plugin in living room sparks. Back door dose not lock. Only one fire alarm that dose not work.
lack of proper heating, water damage, mold, uncomfortable and unsafe | Case#**-*081
brooklyn,
New York -
11221
landlord stated since we are refusing to pay upcoming months rent that nothing needs to get fixed, we refused due to the landlord not compensating us any monies for all our troubles and dealings, she takes no responsibility for the mishaps that we are affected by, financially, physically and emotionally. she doesnt understand the meaning of liability, she is also a first time landlord
Deposit Problems | Case#**-*111
FRESNO,
CA -
93704 2110
I complained about the inhabitable living conditions of exposed wires on several outlets that caused minor fires/sparks when tried to plug appliances in those outlets. Took pictures before and after. Never was fixed. Carbon monoxide detector was broken and never fixed. Bed bugs were never cleaned from previous tenants in spite of several tenants before us filing complaints with apartment management have letters to better business bureau from previous tenants. In violation of the law they took our deposit for normal wear and tear and in spite of breach of contract by not repairing unit. No damage to unit so there was no justification to keep deposit. I took pictures before and after and notations of manager there was no damage. There is a discrimination that if you were Hispanic you received repairs and deposit refunded. I want my refund of my deposit or it will go to court for our rights were violated. We had rights that were violated and we were forced to live in a condition that was detrimental and dangerous to our health.
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.
