Where should I report an abusive property manager?

By Tenant

 A property manager is a representative of the landlord whose main function is to communicate with the tenants, collect rent, facilitate repairs and maintain the rental property. He or she directly reports to the landlord. In a way, a PM acts as a mediator between a tenant and a landlord. A PM also lives in the apartment complex so they’re easier to find should you need to have something done. The problem is, since the PM is an employee of the landlord and is the only person in the building who is closest to LL, then power tripping becomes a possibility.

There have been many reports of property managers power tripping. Some of them would include harassment – be it verbal, emotional or sexual. Other times, the PM might also scream threats and even trespass into apartments without written notification and in non-emergency cases. But of course, you can’t tell the LL because it will be your word against the PM’s so what do you do?

• Write a letter to property manager.

This letter should not be rude. It is basically a notification that you know the PM has been into your apartment and that he is in violation of your rights as a tenant and an American. The PM should also be reminded that if this happens again, you will be forced to do the necessary legal actions. Mail the letter to have proof that the PM received it and also keep a copy of the letter too.

• Tell the police.

If you are being harassed and if trespassing was done, you should tell the police and file a police report. I do not understand why there are some tenants that think issues such as these should only be reported to the landlord-tenant board. A harassment and a trespassing are obviously violations of your rights as an American and it is the police’s job to get involved.

• File a complaint.

You can file a formal complaint against your property manager. A formal complaint creates a paper trail that will hold as a strong proof in court, should you decide to pursue the case. To file a complaint with the RPA, you can use this link: http://www.rentalprotectionagency.com/complaint_center.php

• Tell the landlord.

You now have all the documents and proof of the abuses done to you by your property manager. It is time to go to your landlord and open his eyes to the issue. If you can have your neighbors support via a signature campaign, that would be helpful too. It is likely that your landlord will even thank you for reporting the incident to him – complete with all the details.

Just because he/she is an employee of the landlord doesn’t give him/her the right to abuse you and your neighbors. It is also not true that you are stuck in a corner when the PM attacks. Fight back. Know your rights.

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