Rent Problems Are Frustrating; but you're not alone: Thousands of tenants rely on RPA to solve problems
Bed Bugs And Being Evicted | Case#**-*246 Me and my fiancé moved into our apartment on November 8, 2013 and a couple days after moving in we noticed that we were getting bit in our sleep we eventually caught a bug and realized it was a bed bug we called the front office and they sent an inspector to look at the apartment and he said that there was not enough evidence of the bugs so there was no reason to treat (even though I had caught one and saved it in a bag to show him) we have been living here for almost 7 months now and we finally had a guy come and say there was an infestation in our apartment . Now the complex is forcing us to either pay for the treatment or get evicted. which I know is against our renters right I know for a fact that we did not cause this problem. We have never had this issues before moving into these apartments and I have proof of that. I was roodly told I would be evicted if I did not pay the cost of the cleaning.
Not Providing Access To Gates To Unload Heavy Stuff | Case#**-*512
FREMONT,
CA -
94555 2372
I rented an apartment and signed lease for the apartment 13th May. I was planning to move my belongings via U-Haul or pick-up truck on 14th. While explaining during the signing, she informed that the access codes will open the gates to go inside.
When I tried to move my personal belongings, I found no access to the gates. I waited for someone else to come so that I can go inside to unload my personal belongings. However, I had to abandon my plan to move in furniture and heavy stuff that day. I work Monday to Saturday between 7:45 AM to 7:30 PM, hence, I can\\\'t move in during this time.
I contacted the property management to give me access key or code to bring truck /U-Haul inside. However, management is refusing me to give access to the gates. I explained why I need to access to the gates (to move-in, also to bring other heavy items/regular grocery from time to time).
As per the lease agreement, every resident will have access to the gates. However, since I don\\\'t personally own a car, the management is using that as an excuse to deny me the access to the building premises.
Leasing agreement automatic has provision to register one car, one parking space and access to the keys as described below.
Rules from the lease signed by me:
KEYS. You will be provided Dwelling key(s), mailbox key(s), FOB(s), and/or other access device(s) for access
to the building and amenities at no additional cost at move-in.
AUTOMOBILES/BOATS/RECREATIONAL VEHICLES. The following policies are in addition to those in
the Lease, and may be modified by the additional rules in effect at the Community at any given time:
• Only vehicle per licensed Resident is allowed.
• All vehicles must be registered at the Management office.
I asked the management to register a car number which I don\\\'t own but will be used frequently from time to time
for regular purchase and groceries.
However, the management is denying to register the car as well under the pretext that the car must be registered in my name only.
This is preventing me to move in and access the apartment on the regular basis. I have already paid rent but I can not live there
because I have bot been able to move my stuff. Even after move, this will block me the access to the apartment for unloading
heavy stuff.
The management has asked me to take leave for work in day-time to schedule the move only which does not work for me.
Harassment, Violation Of Privacy, Breach Of Agreement And Repairs | Case#**-*133
North Las Vegas,
Nevada -
89032
Upon moving in the home was and still is infested with roaches and bedbugs. Landlord refused treatment by professional services and my family has suffered bites and infestation. Landlord has not kept their promise that we may deduct out of pockets expenses and landlord states we owe the full amount of rent. Landlord has been harassing and defaming myself by sharing personal information with others, landlord has made threats and has ridiculed a death in my family. Landlord sent a family member to the property who took photos of our personal property to include vehicles own by ourselves and my family members. Landlord has shared our personal financial information with common people to pass messages to us. Landlord has sent an eviction through text message which violates Nevada state laws. Landlord did not give 24 hour notice before sending someone to property and has passed along our personal contact information to his family. We have spent hundreds of dollars into pest control and other things needed to keep unit livable. Landlord has sent text messages to our friends sharing personal information. Landlord has violated privacy laws, has violated Nevada State Eviction Laws, lastly landlord has violated Nevada State Law and has abused the right to enter property.
REPAIR ISSUES | Case#**-*190
HOUSTON,
Texas -
77014
My husband and I relocated from Austin to Houston, Texas on 05/24/2013. Not knowing anything about Houston we decided to go online and find a rental so we would have a rental before we arrived in Houston. We completed the application process via fax and once we received notice of application approval we sent security deposit $250.00 money order via mail to secure the apartment. Once we arrived 05/24/2013, we noticed immediately there was a lot of repair still needed to be performed in the unit and wondered why would management of Monticello On Cranbrook tell us over the phone this unit was ready for immediate move in. The same day we moved in we submitted a walk-threw checklist back to the leasing office of Monticello On Cranbrook.We made the leasing agent Maria Torres aware the dishwasher was broken and would not turn on and had mildewed water sitting in it, Refrigerator was not plugged in and either was the stove.The stove large burner does not work and now it comes on whenever it gets ready to work which clearly is a sign of electrical issue. The kitchen light was blown and the fixture was so old to the point it is discolored, There was no screens on the windows and sliding door, Light fixture for one of the bathrooms was missing and there was dead roaches in the medicine cabinets, bathroom drawers and kitchen drawers. The porch light had fallen down including the wires. We was told this was not considered an emergency and we would have to wait until maintenance get around to repairing the unit.I made Maria fully aware this was not acceptable and requested to have all maintenance issues resolved ASAP.05/28/2013 maintenance came by and repaired the dishwasher, which now still does not work properly and smell of mildew and mold when turned on. I made Maria (leasing agent)aware I suffer from degenerative eye disease and in need of proper lightening. We have been here now a week and have not seen maintenance nor heard anything else from management. We are ready to move and file civil suit.
Being new tenants we would like for this unit to be repaired properly within the next 2 business days or we will start the legal process to file civil legal action against Monticello On Cranbrook for all out of pocket expenses due to us having to move again and pay for moving truck, movers,transfer of utilities etc. This is a horrible way to treat brand new tenants after having them relocate and taking our money. Management gives us the impression we have no other choice
Repair Things | Case#**-*315
HEMET,
CA -
92545 9162
My stairs outside are bad and I\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'m in a walker I\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'m gonna trip and fall if they don\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'t replace carpet my air is not working properly no lights in my kitchen
Issue About Check-in Date | Case#**-*830
DAVIS,
CA -
95618 6354
In the beginning of this year, we decided to rent an apartment at Sharps & Flat and we all paid our security deposit and signed a leasing contract which clearly stated the check-in date is September 5th, 2017. And couple of weeks before, we suddenly received a new request for signing a new agreement, which changed our check-in date to September 10th, 2017. We made at least 2 international calls,2 domestic calls and even one visit to their office in total. And we weren\\\'t given a clear explanation or plan of resolution until roughly 2 weeks to 3 weeks before the original check-in date. As the information and explanation was given too late and we were unable to change our current house without extra charge. In that case, we provided all the acceptable way of resolution including 5-day-living in a different apartment, reimburse us for the extra 5-day-living and even just store our belongings. However, regrettably they are all rejected by sharps & flat. And what breaks the negotiation is that Sharps & Flat took advantage of the market resource they have occupied, threatening to cancel our rights to live in the apartment, by which the local rental houses are always settled 3~4 months before check-in and it\\\'s impossible for us to find a new apartment.
No Compensation In Rent For Inconvenience Emenity Maintenance Issue | Case#**-*358
Sewickley ,
Pennsylvania -
15143
On Oct Second or midweek i have reported my unit #217 laundry washer water leak, no action taken and after 10 days I followed up again and someone from maintenance team came and verified the leak and said it needs new part to fix and went away without reinstating to its previous working condition and told this model part unavailable and they will order new one, they didn’t provided any ETA and simply tells its out of their hand to support which is fine, however i have many times requested send maintenance team again to reinstate to its previous condition and they said no to it it is broken. There is no alternative to use common laundry with in the property and i have to go somewhere outside and spend valuable time to get my family cloths (including kids) laundry work. I have asked for reduction in rent foe the inconvenience caused for this also they are bluntly saying no but provide receipts of laundry outside and will reimburse upto $75 with it. I have requested since there is clearly a problem here and no alternative why I have to bother about keeping receipts and aside receipts what value of refund you will give for my wait time at outside laundry and travel expenses to it and instead directly reduce or take less rent from me and for it again they bluntly say No which is insane!! The management here is clearly after their rent money profits and less care of tenants which bothers me enormously and gives lot of worry and frustration and trauma to me because of their behavior. I would line to have these managers/properties owner reviewed and teach them how to care for tenants units maintenance issues and work towards it. Please do something about this. Thanks
Took 1 Month Rent After Vacancy, Deposit Refund Check Was Fake | Case#**-*425 we were charged a month rent out of deposit even though we did not have a contract and he didn't tell us he needed any sort of notice before we moved. He sent us a fake check that was not even signed for $360.00. Stating cleaning fee $575, Yard and dump $100, and 1 month rent of $965 was deducted from deposit.
Bedbug Infestation | Case#**-*060 On October 16, 2014 we made an initial complaint about bedbug infestation in our apartment to the property manager, Breanna Pogue. The next day, an exterminator from Exodus Exterminator came to inspect the apartment. The exterminator could not find any evidence of bedbugs, besides the pictures we took of the one we killed, and remarked "your apartment is immaculate". He gave us cups to put under the bed, and told us to contact our manager if we found anything in the future. Over the course of the next two weeks, I and my girlfriend continued to get bites on our bodies. We tried to get back in touch with the property manager, and Theresa, the front desk receptionist, informed us that she was not in the office and unavailable for contact. She refused to provide Breanna's company email address, under the guise of privacy protection. Instead, we were diverted to the maintenance superintendent, David, and told that he would suffice as the primary point-of-contact for any issues relating to bug infestation. After calling the maintenance superintendent, he left a message claiming that he had inspected our apartment along with the exterminator, and then came to check in the apartment for the cups under the bed and couldn't find any evidence of bedbugs. He mentioned that the cups were placed under the four legs of our bed; we have six legs on our bed. Breanna Pogue accompanied the exterminator and David was not present during any of the proceedings. Nor was our apartment rechecked after inspection. When mentioning our confusion with his message, since he was not present for the inspection, he volunteered that he had confused our apartment number with that of another building. This contrasts statements made from the front desk receptionist, Theresa, that there were no other complaints about bedbug infestation from any other resident. She is the primary point-of-contact for any maintenance request, as she enters the service request forms. When the exterminator came, and was asked where the source of the bedbugs could be from, he mentioned other apartments. When asking about furniture being left outside by the dumpster that had been left for over a month, he confirmed that could also be a source of the bugs. Since we last communicated with the front desk, we have had new bites on our body and were told we couldn't resolve the matter before Monday, October 27, 2014. We were also told not to mention anything to any other tenants in the building of possible infestation.
Multiple Violations Of Tenant Rights In Arizona Landlord & Tenant Act | Case#**-*314
Flagstaff,
Arizona -
86005
My boyfriend and I have been a part of a lease that started from November 2014. Since then, there\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s been a dangerous carbon monoxide leak, septic tank removal, unwarranted construction, gaping holes in the lawn, bad plumbing, and one issue that is evident right now, a water heater that is being used on the property, that was proven to not up to housing codes, and thus, wasn\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'t up to housing codes during the lease signing, which can be proven even now. In the signing of the lease, Ms. Weitzman had my boyfriend sign the lease on Nov. 6th 2014. He also signed a Consent for Limited Representation form, although he didn\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'t understand what he was signing. I moved in with my boyfriend, January 2015, and many troubling incidents unfortunately arose, and contacting the landlord, also proved to have its difficulties. I finally sent an email to Ms. Weitzman, Aug. 13th 2015, outlining issues that still needed to be resolved, with photos, in hopes to bring a licensed professional to help mediate between the landlord and my boyfriend and I, since the landlord was recently showing neglect to pick up an old water heater on the property, and not replying to our emails. My email, that was addressed to Ms. Weitzman, was written very precisely, naming items and having explicit images to show the state of the conditions of the property, and that these detailed violations of our tenant rights as stated in the Arizona Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, section 33-1324, Landlord to maintain fit premises, A. 1-6. This email was instantly forwarded without consent or approval, straight to the landlord, with a note that she was not the property manager, just the leasing agent. This forwarding action proved to be very damaging to the relationship between us and the landlord, and also exhibited priorities that undermined our fundamental tenant rights. On August 19th, the Landlord,taped a Notice of Nonrenewable of Lease Agreement to our door. It stated our tenancy would terminate 9/30/2015, which was not the date of the Residential Lease Agreement, which when we looked, the main document shows the date of: 7/31/14. Which is also something to report, because the Residential Lease Agreement began: 11/06/14 so there are flaws already in these legal documents. We are now being forced to move out when we\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'re not financially prepared. We have evidence that this is retaliatory, and feel discriminated against, being minorities too. We seek solutions to resolve multiple violations.
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.
