Landlord Complaint Record: #22-9910

Westgrove Towers    |    Traci Dixon    |    Raleigh    ,    North Carolina 27606    Landlord Complaint 22-9910


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CASE CLOSED MET MINIMUM REQUIREMENT Mar 4, 2013


REQUIREMENT MET: After mediation it has been determined that the landlord met the minimum requirement for this complaint.
 



Case Number : 22-9910 Filing Date : Jul 5, 2012
Investigating Agent : Kept Private Case Disposition : Met Minimum Requirement
Complaint Level : Code Landlord Response : Case Closed

SUPPORTING DETAILS
Type Title / Link Posted By Date Uploaded Comments
upload Kept Private RPA Mailing Center Jul 6, 2012 The following attachment is a copy of the mailed complaint notice that was processed and sent out the Landlord/ Manager.
upload Kept Private RPA Mailing Center Jul 16, 2012 The attached file is a copy of the 2nd written notice that was printed and mailed to the landlord/ manager.

LANDLORD / MGR : Traci Dixon RENTER : Kept Private
Property Name : Westgrove Towers      
Address : 4700 Westgrove Street Address : Kept Private
City, State - Zip : Raleigh, North Carolina - 27606. City, State - Zip : Durham, North Carolina - 27703.
Phone : Kept Private Phone : Kept Private

COMPLAINT : Bed Bug Extermination Fees
Fair Resolution according to renter :
  1. Reimbursement for $300 extermination fees

RENTAL DETAILS
Address               :   4700 Westgrove St. Apt 913
City, State - Zip   :   Raleigh, North Carolina - 27606.

COMPLAINT DETAILS (from renter)

Toward the end of March 2012 I made a complaint to the administration that I saw a bed bug in my apartment. After about a week, I was informed that there would be an inspection done and an extermination would occur, however, I was not informed that these extermination costs would be my responsibility until after I reported the bugs. It is not mentioned anywhere in my lease nor did I sign a bed bug addendum notifying me that I would have to take on the costs incurred for treatment. The building had many other incidences of bed bugs (one being one floor below me) and in addition I had a maintenance worker enter my apartment a few weeks prior to the incident to change the filters in my air conditioner. It is entirely possible that he could have brought the pests inside my apartment since there are many other instances of bed bugs in the apartment. I rarely spent extensive time at the apartment as I stayed with my boyfriend most of the time (and he doesn't nor has he ever had a bed bug problem) and it is hard to prove that I am solely responsible for the bed bugs. Considering this and the fact that I was never made aware of such charges I don't believe that I should be responsible for the extermination fees.

LANDLORD / TENANT RESPONSES (2)
From Date IP Address Response
Renter Jul 16, 2012 69.134.32.186 It was not mentioned PRIOR to me reporting the bed bugs NOR is it outlined in my lease that I am responsible for bed bugs. Westgrove Towers does treat other pests so it is not automatically assumed that the resident is responsible for bed bugs unless they signed the addendum. Again, I did not sign a bed bug addendum nor was I aware of this policy until after the fact. I should not be held responsible for something that was not spelled out in my lease. Westgrove Towers and it's administration has done a poor job with informing the residents of with their new policy on bed bugs and it is their responsibility to keep their residents updated on their new policies. I was told it was on their website. I decided to check and it is mentioned NO WHERE (and I have screen shoots of the website to prove it). In addition, I was told that they have all apartments "inspected" for the bugs after tenants move out which in an email it was later admitted that it is just a "walk though". I don't think a walk through is adequate when you provide furnished apartments. Westgrove Towers has on many occasions showed their lack of organization and professionalism including in their response to my complain stating an incorrect amount of $200 for a refund that I wasn't even supposed to get. The correct amount is $144. Again, another administrative mistake on their end. Anytime I've needed something done in my apartment I've had to ask repeatedly. Not to mention the late fee they keep forgetting to take out of their system after I've sent a copy of my time stamped online receipt of payment twice. This "bill/guideline" they referred to was designed after I renewed my lease, so even if the law is passed can you go back to past violators and say since you violated the law in past you are now responsible for future ramifications? If Westgrove Towers really cared about their residents and the bed bug issue they would have informed them of the new policy and had everyone with old leases sign the new bed bug addendum. Also in my opinion this bill is poorly designed because it doesn't take into account the many other ways bed bugs can enter into an apartment and will just encourage residents to not report bed bug incidents and try to "fix" it themselves, causing a bigger problem to those around them and to the administration. The bill should encourage both the resident and the administration to work together on this issue. Again there is a lot of "uncertainty with this epidemic" as they even mentioned in their response. While I admit it is a possibility that I somehow brought the bed bugs into the apartment, it is also a possibility that the maintenance man that was in my apartment a few weeks earlier brought them in since he is in and out of apartments all day long. It is also possible that someone bragging a box in the hallway could have brought bed bugs into the apartment since the building has many other cases of bed bugs. I could have even sat in one of the common areas of the building and brought them back. I didn't spend excessive time in the apartment since I stayed with my boyfriend most of the time (and again he doesn't currently have nor has he ever had the bugs and I moved all of my stuff there before the termination). I also asked one of my neighbors if they were informed that their apartment was being inspected for bed bugs and they told me they hadn't. Since there are so many other ways the bugs could have entered into my apartment and I don't feel I should be solely responsible for the termination fees that I was never notified would be my responsibility until AFTER I reported it (in which I had to comply with treatment). Westgrove Towers never mention in their response the maintenance man in my apartment nor the other numerous cases of bed bugs that they have. At most, I'd be willing to pay for half of the termination ($157.50) but not for the full termination.
Renter Jul 16, 2012 69.134.32.186 Explain why you can't accept / Offer Alternative Resolution.
Landlord Jul 13, 2012 74.242.223.32 Explain why you can't accept / Offer Alternative Resolution.

INVESTIGATING AGENT - REMARKS (12)
Agent Date Response
SYSTEM Mar 5, 2013 OFFICIAL COPY OF COMPLAINT: An official copy of the complaint has been requested by the tenant and mailed out by the nearest mailing center. The tenant should receive the copy of complaint within 3 days.
SYSTEM Mar 4, 2013 The case has been resolved as 'Met Minimum Requirement'.
SYSTEM Jul 16, 2012 Landlord Second response dead-line July 23, 2012 has been set for complaint 22-9910
SYSTEM Jul 16, 2012 2nd MAILING CONFIRMATION: The landlord has failed to respond to the first written notice and deadline. This is the 2nd and Final Notice being mailed to the landlord. The 2nd Notice is in transit and expected to arrive within 3 days. (2nd Notice and Final Notice)
SYSTEM Jul 6, 2012 PENDING LANDLORD RESPONSE: The landlord or manager have been provided with the following response deadline: July 12, 2012 This deadline provides a reasonable time frame of 3 days for delivery of written notice and 3 days to respond to case # 22-9910 as outlined in the mailed notice. THIS CASE IS PENDING RESPONSE FROM LANDLORD OR MANAGER.
SYSTEM Jul 6, 2012 MAIL CONFIRMATION: The complaint notice has been processed and is currently in route for 22-9910.
SYSTEM Jul 6, 2012 COMPLAINT NOTICE PRINTED: The complaint notice has been successfully transferred to the nearest mailing center and is pending mailing confirmation. For Landlord
SYSTEM Jul 6, 2012 AUTOMATIC EMAIL TO LANDLORD: The system has automatically emailed the landlord a digital complaint notice. Initial Email to Landlord has been sent.
SYSTEM Jul 6, 2012 EMAIL TO TENANT: The system has sent an email to the tenant. The email included a copy of the complaint as filed by the tenant.
SYSTEM Jul 6, 2012 Complaint Accepted by System
SYSTEM Jul 5, 2012 Complaint 22-9910 has been filed.