Landlord Complaint Record: #23-2086

Desert Sage Apartments    |    Katie Madden    |    Goodyear    ,    Arizona 85338    Landlord Complaint 23-2086


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CASE CLOSED FORCE REQUIRED May 5, 2014


WARNING! This property/ landlord refused to mediate a fair resolution or respond to this
complaint. Landlord refused to cooperate.
 



Case Number : 23-2086 Filing Date : May 17, 2013
Investigating Agent : Kept Private Case Disposition : Force Required
Complaint Level : Code Landlord Response : Case Closed

SUPPORTING DETAILS
Type Title / Link Posted By Date Uploaded Comments
upload Kept Private Renter May 17, 2013
This is a picture of what I found in my bedroom on a curtain hanging behind my bed.
upload Kept Private RPA Mailing Center May 17, 2013 The following attachment is a copy of the mailed complaint notice that was processed and sent out the Landlord/ Manager.

LANDLORD / MGR : Katie Madden RENTER : Kept Private
Property Name : Desert Sage Apartments      
Address : 1737 N Central Ave Address : Kept Private
City, State - Zip : Goodyear, Arizona - 85338. City, State - Zip : Goodyear, Arizona - 85338.
Phone : Kept Private Phone : Kept Private

COMPLAINT : Bed bugs found in apartment
Fair Resolution according to renter :
  1. Treat problem
  2. If problem persists then keep treating until there is not issues with bed bugs
  3. Inspect other apartments below and next to mine for bed bug issues

RENTAL DETAILS
Address               :   1737 N Central Ave #2115
City, State - Zip   :   Goodyear, Arizona - 85338.

COMPLAINT DETAILS (from renter)

I have been living at Desert Sage apartments for 2 years. It is a pleasant apartment; however, I recently began getting bites on my arms and legs. I shrugged them off, thinking that my sensitive skin is to blame. I keep my apartment clean, however, when I was cleaning my bedroom on 5/16/13, I found several small bug. I was not sure what they were so I caught one and found that it closely resembles a bed bug. I immediately checked my mattress, box spring, carpet, blanket, sheets and pillows. I did not see any signs of other bed bugs with my naked eye, but I am not a professional and and concerned with this possible infestation. I then washed all of my bedding and steamed my mattress as well as I could. Bed bugs are considered a parasite needed a body to live off of. I would like for this issue to be taken care of immediately.

LANDLORD / TENANT RESPONSES (2)
From Date IP Address Response
Renter May 21, 2013 72.211.179.232 1.Anteater exterminator (License number 5328) came to my home on 5/21/13 to do the 1st round of extermination for bed bugs. I had previously contacted my rental property on 5/17/2013 and spoke with Tamika about my issue regarding bed bugs. Tamika informed me that since I have been in the home for 2 years, then the bed bug issue is my problem and I need to take care of it. She provided the number for Burns exterminating to me. I asked Tamika if I needed or was required to use Burns and she said no. I then called Anteater Exterminating and set up a time for them to come and look at my apartment. Gabriel, from Anteater Exterminating found no evidence of a bed bug issue other than the bug that I found and captured for this purpose.
After Anteater Exterminating came to my apartment for the first treatment on 5/21/2013, they left an invoice stating that due to the “light, light infestation, it is likely that the bed bugs came from an infested or vacant apartment.”
I went to my rental property managers today 5/21/13 at around 4PM, and brought this issue to their attention. I was unable to get a straight answer from Monica, Alissa and I believe the other woman’s name is Sarah, regarding this issue. They reported to me that they can’t give me an answer as to who is responsible for costs since they need to have their pest control agency come in and do an inspection. When I asked about payment responsibility for other inspections of the neighboring apartments, I was informed that it is possible that I will be responsible for the cost to pay for those inspections and/or treatments. I then told them that I called on Friday, 5/17/2013, around 10AM and spoke with Tamika. It was at this time that the rental property managers apologized for the direction that Tamika gave me, which was that I needed to take care of the issue.
I have reviewed the Senate Bill 1306 related specifically to bed bugs in Arizona and tenant and landlord rights. According to the law, the landlord is responsible for eradicating the issue of bed bugs in multifamily homes. I addressed this issue with the rental property managers, and I was told that I will need to wait and see what happens. I then told them that I will be looking for a new apartment and was told that I am 95% likely to take the bed bugs with me if I relocate.
I have been in the apartment since 2011 and have never received any literature or information on bed bugs per Sec. 3. Title 33, chapter 10, article 1, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding section 33-1319, to read: 33-1319. Bedbug control; landlord and tenant obligations definitions
A. A LANDLORD HAS THE FOLLOWING OBLIGATIONS WITH RESPECT TO A BEDBUG INFESTATION:
1. AS A PORTION OF ITS OBLIGATIONS UNDER SECTION 33-1324, THE LANDLORD
SHALL MAINTAIN THE DWELLING UNIT FREE OF AN INFESTATION OF BEDBUGS.
2. THE LANDLORD SHALL PROVIDE EXISTING TENANTS WITH A COPY OF THIS SECTION ON OR BEFORE SEPTEMBER 1, 2011 BY PERSONAL DELIVERY OR FIRST CLASS MAIL AND SHALL PROVIDE NEW TENANTS WITH A COPY OF THIS SECTION ON COMMENCEMENT OF A NEW LEASE. THE LANDLORD ALSO SHALL PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS TO EXISTING AND NEW TENANTS. And Subsections A-F

I was not informed of the law stated above, and because of what I was advised by the rental property on 5/17/2013, Tamika, I contacted an exterminator to do an inspection and seek treatment because I refuse to live with bed bugs.

Renter May 20, 2013 72.211.179.232 1.I contacted my rental property on 5/17/13 to inform them that I found bed bugs in my home. They responded that it was basically my fault and they would not help me with paying for anything. They stated to me that I will need to eradicate the issue and that there are no other places reporting any issues with bed bugs.
I then contacted and exterminator on 5/17/13. He came to my apartment on Saturday 5/18/13 for an inspection. After a thorough search of my apartment, he could not find any evidence of an infestation other than the bug I captured and provided to him. He advised that the apartment be treated twice. He reported that the likelihood of me bringing the bugs in was low. He states that the more likely scenario is that they were dormant when I moved in to the apartment in 2011, and are just becoming active, or that another apartment in my building is badly infested that they needed to migrate to find a new host.
I have also become aware that the apartments do not treat for any pests other than fleas, when a new tenant moves out and a new one moves in.

INVESTIGATING AGENT - REMARKS (9)
Agent Date Response
SYSTEM May 5, 2014 FORCE REQUIRED! After repeated attempts to resolve this complaint; management has FAILED to comply and requires force. The RPA has taken all reasonable efforts to contact the Landlord / Manager. They have REFUSED all request and will require FORCE. This case is closed with a negative disposition.
SYSTEM May 17, 2013 New image uploaded by Tenant.
SYSTEM May 17, 2013 PENDING LANDLORD RESPONSE: The landlord or manager have been provided with the following response deadline: May 23, 2013 This deadline provides a reasonable time frame of 3 days for delivery of written notice and 3 days to respond to case # 23-2086 as outlined in the mailed notice. THIS CASE IS PENDING RESPONSE FROM LANDLORD OR MANAGER.
SYSTEM May 17, 2013 MAIL CONFIRMATION: The complaint notice has been processed and is currently in route for 23-2086.
SYSTEM May 17, 2013 COMPLAINT NOTICE PRINTED: The complaint notice has been successfully transferred to the nearest mailing center and is pending mailing confirmation. For Landlord
SYSTEM May 17, 2013 AUTOMATIC EMAIL TO LANDLORD: The system has automatically emailed the landlord a digital complaint notice. Initial Email to Landlord has been sent.
SYSTEM May 17, 2013 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 May 17, 2013 Complaint Accepted by RPA and is pending further processing.
SYSTEM May 17, 2013 Complaint 23-2086 has been filed and is in queue for further processing. Pending further updates and confirmation of mailing.