Rent Problems Are Frustrating; but you're not alone: Thousands of tenants rely on RPA to solve problems
Illegal Entry, Harassment | Case#**-*396
Las Vegas ,
Nevada -
89103
Unlawful entry at 3AM without notice and when intoxicated/under the influence. As well as, just showing up at all hours of the night knocking door to yell and intimidate. ongoing harassment
Repair Issue | Case#**-*653
SHAWNEE,
KS -
66217 9345
On August 7,2024 I reported an issue with the A/C in our apartment because it was not working. It has almost been 20 days since I have been constantly reporting the issue almost every day, and it has not yet been fixed. I suffer from high blood pressure and the constant heat in my apartment is causing my blood pressure to rise, aside from the apartment being hot all the time due to the hot weather. On August 16, 2024, the landlord told us that our apartment needs a new A/C unit but that it was expensive so they wanted to downgrade the A/C unit to a window air conditioner, and we stated that we need the normal A/C Unit to just be fixed, not to downgrade so they stated they would order a new A/C unit since they could not fix it, but they don\\\'t know when it will arrive. Today, August 26, 2024, the A/C unit has not been fixed, and we have not received an update or anything, despite constantly requesting an update. The landlord does not seem to care about the situation. The weather is almost 100 degrees. We cannot continue being in our hot apartment without the normal A/C unit.
Repairs Issue: Replace Flooring Throughout - Flooding Ruined All $800.00 . | Case#**-*894
Austin ,
Texas -
78727
On January 3 when we made the last payment and returned the keys, When I asked to inspect the apartment, I was told that I was not allowed to be present for the final walk through, that they\\\\\\\'d do it at their convenience. We were never advised of any flooding, they just sent us an email with the charges.
Bed Bugs, Water Problems, Broken Closet, Bare Minimum Help | Case#**-*151
Houston,
Texas -
77036
My closet shelf broke within two months of us moving in. Allen won\\\'t respond to anything unless we put it in writing and drop it off to him. No phone calls, emails or texts. We sent him a letter about roaches and the broken closet. I\\\'ve been getting bit since we moved in, we bombed the place twice and sprayed multiple things, figuring he hadn\\\'t cleaned the place of bugs prior. The vent in my restroom was still dirty and dusty upon move-in, I brought this to his attention and he said people\\\'s ideas of \\\"clean\\\" are different. My car was broken into so I couldn\\\'t afford my rent last month and all he said was \\\"It\\\'s not my problem.\\\" We told him about the bed bugs today and said we wanted to leave and once again he said \\\"It\\\'s not my problem.\\\" My roommate asked if he lived with bedbugs and he yelled it was none of her business. Kept repeating he\\\'ll just see us in court. We found out we are leasing from him, not renting, so we\\\'re hoping we can get help because he obviously doesn\\\'t care about anything about himself.
Bed Bugs Treatment Bill | Case#**-*118
FEDERAL WAY,
WA -
98023 5056
I reported there were bed bugs in my apartment, after my friends came over the weekend and they informed me there were bedbugs in the guest room. well it took the apartment complex two weeks to send someone to come and treat my apartment, by then we started to notice the bedbugs in our bedroom , in the closet, our bed frame, mattress box and our mattress. we tried our best to clean up the room cleaning and heating our clothes in the dryer while parking them in big zip lock plastic bags. we vacuumed the bed frames, mattress boxes and the mattress. The technicians came in on 4/17/2016 to treat the bed frames and the rooms. after two weeks we still noticed small activity of the bedbugs but was expecting the technicians to come back after two weeks to follow up more treatment but they didn\\\\\\\'t treat. Office called to check in whether there were still activity in which we informed them there was, they sent in a technician on the 5/19/2016 in which they just inspected but didn\\\\\\\'t treat. The apartment complex now have charged me $1478.25 for the one treatment they did and i don\\\\\\\'t think i am responsible to pay this amount, they seem to say that this could have come with my furniture but i bought all my furniture brand new and i have never had bedbug problems in my life.
Bed bug infestation | Case#**-*923
Tucsomn,
Arizona -
85719
Landlord has arranged inspection by pest control company, has confirmed infestation, and is unwilling to pay for treatment.
Repair Issue, Breach Of Agreement | Case#**-*867
Socorro ,
Texas -
79927
She has not fixed any of the problems with the mobile home. Electrical boxes both inside and out need to be replaced. She has stated she was going to fix that and it\\\\\\\'s been 3 weeks! There is a leak in the restroom that\\\\\\\'s been there for 2 weeks. We had no heat for weeks in the cold. There is still no hot water in the kitchen . 4months and nothing has been fixed. It\\\\\\\'s a hazard to me and my family.
Repair Issue | Case#**-*826
Chicago,
Illinois -
60625
My landlord refuses to replace the backdoor. It can be kicked in at anytime. The wood is rotted. He has replaced all doors at all other units, yet just keeps drilling new holes in old rotted wood. I am scared to live here
Deposit Problems + Repair Issue | Case#**-*050
SAN FRANCISCO,
CA -
94110 2842
1. Property was returned thoroughly cleaned; property management company is attempting to charge for doing basic maintenance like touch up painting
2. Property management company did not address several maintenance issues, including rotting stairs, rotted window frames, etc for months, sometimes almost a year
3. Property management did not address issues with hostile behavior from downstairs tenants who were threatening
Deposit | Case#**-*223
ORLANDO,
FL -
32821 5190
Landlord will like to cancel agreement due to me making the deposit late but he already knew and had already let me in to apartment
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.
