Rent Problems Are Frustrating; but you're not alone: Thousands of tenants rely on RPA to solve problems
Deposit Problems | Case#**-*963
DANIA,
FL -
33004 3659
I had a one-year lease, I moved February 29, 2016, have not received deposit following several request. My former apartment is being restored due to faulty plumbing, to no fault of mine.
Pest Issues Bed Bugs | Case#**-*746
Charleston ,
South Carolina -
29407
I\'ve emailed and made work orders repeatedly through the company\'s website and we\'re still here getting bitten. My daughter and I were being bitten by something to my landlord. They were suppose to spray in july and august but i never saw anyone show up. Now I\'ve discovered bed bugs in my couch which we never had them ever. And I don\'t know where they came from. HELP PLEASE IT\'S REALLY GETTING RIDICULOUS! I have sent my apartment landlord several pictures of bites on my daughter and it\'s all over. The manager keeps telling me someone came out the days she told me but i was home on those exact days and saw no one this is starting to irritate my entire household!! And my rent is always on time
Repair Issues | Case#**-*109
Riverdale,
Georgia -
30274
I have gone to the management office 8 times about these issues and no one has come to fix the problems. I was told that maintenence would be at my apartment to replace the water heater two weeks ago on 7/11/2015. However no one has been here to replace the water heater. I was also told by the maintenance guy, Maurice that the management office had not ordered the new water heater. I was promised that my air conditioning unit would also be fixed at the same time, but no work has been done about either issue. It is truly unfair that I am pay my rent on time every month but cannot get any work done to my apartment when promised. The issue seems to be racial because my Hispanic neighbors can get new carpet, water heaters, but I can\'t anything fixed in my apartment!
My Life In Danger Cause Of The Landlord | Case#**-*136
Dallas,
Texas -
75217
I went and told the landlord something and it left the office the same day and now my life is in danger and im scared i talk to the landlord an she lied to my face and she got the head man wrap around her finger an i know hes not gone help me so who do i turn to im scared for my life.
Infestion of Bed Bugs | Case#**-*913
Houston,
Texas -
77036
Unsatisfied with the apartment complex procedure of dealing with this infestion of bed bugs....I shouldn't had to purchase products to solve this matter myself they should of had done it themselves and got a company to come treat this matter. Not let us be like this with no definate date of when someone was going to come treat the bed bug problem within the entire apartment...and our rent should not have to go up in price to have this filthy carpet removed and replaced by tile when they were informed a year ago that there was something in the carpet biting us..and they stated they could not shampoo the carpet because it was new, when it fact it was new to the apartment but not new itself just a used carpet purchased and placed here .
Bed Bugs | Case#**-*980
phoenix,
Arizona -
85027
i saw the first bed bug a week ago from today and called the office the next day and they said they will send the pest guy to check so they checked my apt and said they didn't find ANYTHING! a few days later i saw another one and i bagged it and went to the office the next day and showed the asst manager and she told me from my last inspection they didn't find anything and that i'm bringing them in i told her that i've been living here for a year and six months and never ever in my life had a problem until the people from upstairs moved in i told her someone in my building has them and she said bed bugs don' travel from apt to apt they travel on people i told i did not bring the bed bugs in so they had the pest guy come out again and they said they only found feces after that the office called me saying they will be coming out monday 3/12/12 to treat and i would have to pay $400.00 and i told them i will not pay for something i didn't do please help! i checked my beds and couches i checked everything i didn't find anything. i told them not to come do the treatment cause i will not be paying for that and the lady said i have to cause its the law and that if i'm not ready for this treatment i will pay another $250.00 on top of the $400.00.... please please help
Deposit | Case#**-*011
Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania -
19143
I paid the rent for January and February as I was to. Now he filed a lockout and all because my tax return didn\\\\\\\'t come back yet. I offered to give him $1000 until next Friday and he said he wants the whole balance.
Plumbing Issue Not Fixed. | Case#**-*010 Ongoing plumbing issue for several months now. Property Management has had two different plumbers come out to snake the main line in house because of a clogged line. While here plumbers wrote an estimate to fix the line. Owners were going to fix the problem by having the 80 year old main line replaced. Last week, when I contacted the property management because I was still wait for the work to get done, Property Management informs me. Owners don't want to send the money to actually fix the issue, if I have a back up its cheaper for them to call a plumber back out to snake the line instead of fixing it. Property management also informed me that owners are "thinking" of selling the property. They have made no decision to sell as of 5/2/14. Tenant would like a prompt decision on this matter. Either have the pipe fixed or release tenant from lease to find another place. Tenant lease is up August 1st and would like to start looking and find a place before then.
ELECTRICAL ISSUES | Case#**-*446
Decatur ,
Georgia -
30032
I am a resident that recently fail down the steps at Oaktree Villas Apts 3465 Kensington rd. Decatur, Ga. 30032. At the building of 3550 clubhouse cir. E Decatur, Ga. 30032. While on way to work Sunday night at 745pm. While I countless have reported that there are no lights at 3550 outside and breeze way... also no lights in the kitchen of 3550 apt E decatur ga 30032. This now becoming a legal issue because no one is taking safety regulations seriously. My lights are flickering and TV flicks on and off, while no has fixed this issue no party as bothered to move me to a safer unit. HOUSING AUTHORITY AND CHANNEL 2 WILL HELP this action go on notice. I have called emergency maintenance and Fred has refused numerous times to check it out because he lives in Douglassville, yet no no one fixes the issues reported not even the following morning. I will call a professional electrician and rent will be deducted as well as cancellation of leases at no expense to resident... if this issue is not resolved in less than a week.
Repair Issue | Case#**-*688 After one month of asking maintenance to repair hole in wall behind toilet in restroom, maintenance worker came in, changed dry wall. Stated he would be back next day to finish and never did. That around the beginning of july. along with an issue with the extractor in restroom leaking water when second floor shower is on. the latter issue has yet to be addressed. this has also been atleast a month. also constant water outages due to supposed water leaks.
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.
