Rent Problems Are Frustrating; but you're not alone: Thousands of tenants rely on RPA to solve problems
Bed Bugs | Case#**-*107
ny,
New York -
10023
I have noticed increasingly tiny little bites all over my body and they itch a lot. I have not been able to see the bed bugs in the bed or anywhere in the apartment, but I see the bug bites all over my body. The complex manager has set up a few glue traps around the apartment but I haven't seen any on the trap either. I keep the apartment clean and I vaccuum everyday. I am embarrassed to mention this problem to everyone.
Lack of care on parking lots/sidewalks | Case#**-*318
Endicott,
New York -
13760
Our buildings have parking lots in the back, and there is limited parking on the street. After a big snowstorm, there was no room in the lots and we got a ticket for parking on the street because the city had to plow the street. After the first snow storm, the parking lots were cleared by pushing the snow into the parking spots, but after three subsequent storms, the snow has not been touched. There are piles of snow against the back parking wall, making it hard to fit in as many cars as should fit. The snow was not removed from the sidewalks, parking lots or driveways before it became a sheet of ice. My children slipped and fell several times just walking to the bus stop, and it is very hazardous trying to walk from the car to the building because of the ice.
Bugs | Case#**-*068 I ask the landlord to get the bugs and he said it is normal for the bug s
Harassing, Breaking Multiple Laws. No Privacy | Case#**-*641
INDIO,
CA -
92201 5102
My Landlord I believe is breaking the law and harassing us. When we originally moved in she let some of the rent slide because she wanted to help out. Now everything is paid off to our knowledge, but she keeps harassing us, constantly ringing the doorbell at all hours of the night, raising her voice and threatening to evict us, but hasn’t given a reason for showing up in the first place. Her husband is over almost everyday doing yard work and brings their dog, who defecates in our yard, without our knowledge, at different hours of the day giving us no privacy. Aswell as most of the house had problems with it. For example the heater didn’t work, all closet doors and bathroom sliders are broken, patches on the wall hasn’t been covered, oven doesn’t work, etc. all with picture proof. Even if we do owe towards rent which to our knowledge we don’t.. Is all of that within the landlords legal right to do ?
Ask To Vacate Premises | Case#**-*352 I recieved notice to vacate premises in 60 days from new apt manager. I have paid my rent every month for the past 15 months. Have had good communication, and relationship w property owner. Never has there been a complaint on me as a tenent from my surrounding neighbors. Property owner has also said to me he wants more tenents like me, has always appreciated garden work i do around apts. Very sincere and respectable gentleman. Recently he decided to hire an agency to manage his rental property named Exit Imperial realty and Luis Vargas being who represent Exit imperial as property manager.
Mr. Luis Vargas started represented apt oct. 1 2013. However he came to introduce himself prior to that date. He informed us he will be taking over management gave us a xerox copy stating change of manage, he included property owners name. Then asking to talk w us. Unfortunately it was bad timing our babies were really fussy and im more than sure he was able to hear our kids. So i said was not good timing. He would then return Oct 1 2013 adking for rent money, informed him i dont have it yet but will recieve it n do time. He then informed me je needs to come n to see apt interior/ exterior and take pictures. I apologize and refused to let him in. I ention to him i dont feel very comfortable w him doing that because i would like to c or get proper notice from apt property onwrr jose enz, confirming. The change. The lettet he left first time did not have jose signature he simply just typed n his name, and my husband was not home just me and babies. His reponse to me was i could move if i dont like the wsy thete handling things now. That was his solution for me to move even though he emphasised that things r changing for tje better. For me , me moving wasnt for tje better. I did offer my sugestion i eouldnt have a problem w jose or liz ( jose sister) entering the ptemises since obviously im familiar w and have always welcomed them in. But i still didnt feel comfortable w him coming n right there and then, especially since he wanted to take photos of the privacy of my home,mind u i got two little one a 3 y/o daughter and going on 2y/o son. Pictures for his own personal portfolio. His nest resolution he has given me to date is tje vacate tje premises notice when my husband called to adk why he said" just because" we are on a month to month contract, which makes it legal.He only gave me a notice to vacate the premises none of the few tenants that still hee
Repair Issue (MAJOR) Main Pipe/black Water Leaking In Unit | Case#**-*365
LAKEWOOD,
CO -
80214 4714
The landlords were notified about water leaks coming from pipes in the basement as well as other issues since September 2017. Emergency maintenance was called when the leak ended up flooding the entire basement with black water in November (around thanksgiving) 2017.. the man told us that the entire pipe needed replacing. Multiple maintenance people have come by since then to look at the pipe. All agree it needs replacing yet no one has come to do any work on it. All that has been done has been a carpet cleaning company coming two separate times to suck up the water... the basement has flooded on three separate occassions within the span of 1 month. It IS going to burst and we fear our belongings will get destroyed. Not only that, but we fear sickness due to living in such unsanitary conditions.
Fan Being On All Night With Loud Motor Making Loud Noise In My Apartment | Case#**-*734
DENVER,
CO -
80222 3638
The owner tells us the maintenance men she hires will turn of the fan every night and will be off all night. Not one person has turned off the fan. My daughter is wearing ear plugs all night for eight nights now. My daughters ears are hurting her when her ears should not hurt her. Her ears gets blocked. Please have the owner Carlene turn off the fan for good. Or she can get rid of the fan. Please help us with the issue.
Breach Of Agreement And Repair Issues | Case#**-*747
INDIANAPOLIS,
IN -
46224 8744
I moved in the middle of August 2017. I was coming home, my neighbor was outside. I was noticing my neighbor was always sleeping in his car. I came home from work to find out my neighbor outside, we talked for a few minutes. I found out he had bed bugs. He was trying to take care of his issue and not telling the office. A few days later I found a weird bug, come to find out, it was a bed bug. I told the office of the problem along with other issues I was having in my apartment. They told me they would take care of it. The apartment went under new management in December 2017. I went to tell them about my issues, the bed bugs, the refrigerator leaks, the toilet runs, the coil eye on the stove caught fire (short in the wiring).They said they would fix it. Nothing ever gets fixed I have find more bugs, they are in my couch now. I just want to move. I shouldn\\\'t have to live like this.
apartment not secure from start (no door). possible bank seizure. | Case#**-*417
oakland,
California -
94612
the company that we signed the lease with (ez loan realty) demanded our rent and deposit in cash (obtained receipts). upon initial move in apartment was not painted.
walls were very dirty and needed paint. we share a back door breezeway with downstairs neighbor. which has his backdoor in it and stairs that lead to our upstairs apartment.
there is and never has been a door put in. we had the neighbors backdoor sealed but he ripped the lock off immediately and apparently it is a fire hazard. so we have never had a secure living space. the breezeway was full of dog urine and feces from neighbors dogs, had cleaned but smell never came out, questioning health hazard. the neighbors dogs bark non stop all day at nothing. they bark when i enter and exit the apartment and do not stop for hours after and they also occupy the entire backyard making it unusable for anyone other than the downstairs neighbor. we have asked many times for the numerous repairs to be done that we have requested (broken window, bathroom sink broken, no trash cans) since we have moved in.we have been informed that we are essentially squatting as of the 1st of this month due to the landlord not paying the mortgage. the landlord (owner) william wong does not speak english and the realtor (yang Cao) is supposed to translate for him. she has ceased this service. my roommate (phillip smith) and i have tried numerous times to talk to both the realtor and the landlord about all of these matters since we first moved in (approx 3 months ago). they have been uncooperative with our simple requests. they have not addressed any of these situations except for the trash can which they delivered 30 days ago. every time i try to contact Yang Cao she has either stated that these issues are "not true" or that it is the landlords problem and not hers. the landlord tells us to call Yang every time. the urine and feces in the breezeway is a potential health hazard. the broken window and lack of a locking door that our neighbor cannot access as well as the broken window is a safety hazard. we are moving our things asap
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.
