Rent Problems Are Frustrating; but you're not alone: Thousands of tenants rely on RPA to solve problems
Lease Non-renewal | Case#**-*863
WAUKESHA,
WI -
53189 7212
Me and my disabled roommate were given notice that our lease wan not going to be renewed. When asked why, landlord only said that it was personal. We, as tenants are NOT at fault or in violation of any rules. Rent has always been paid. Landlord tried to get us to vacate early (Sept. 15, 2020), however, our lease agreement term ends Nov. 1. I contacted legal aid and when contacted by a lawyer landlord RELUCTANTLY agreed to allow us to finish our lease term as required by law. Problem now is that with my roommate\'s disability and I recently had surgery on my leg, neither on of us are in good physical shape. Additionally, due to Covid, my employment has been reduced to a low paying job and few hours. To make matters worse neither one of us have anyone to help with moving our belongings nor will it be easy to save enough money to both rent a truck to move much less come up with security deposit and rent for a new place (with what we earn going to the current rent). We are at a loss as most of the places we\'ve looked at are out of our price range ($850/mo) and certainly not comperable to what we have now. We would appreciate any and all help that you might be able to offer. Thank you!!
Basement Flooding Due To Rain | Case#**-*160
OMAHA,
NE -
68134 3416
Started early June, several emails for months complaining of water in basement, mold has started to creep on walls, spiders, smell, both in laundry room and basement section. Prior to new management, the maintenance gentleman came out 1 or 2 times to suction out water and fill in cracks where possible rain is coming through. This did not fix the problem, still had water escape into our basement and where our washer/dryer is located since the rain kept coming. New landlord came in replacing old, I have had face to face conversations regarding basement and emails to him as well complaining about problem. Asking for communication and said we will fix, but nothing has been done. Landlord quoted to me: (I am sorry to hear you have water in your basement. I will go over and inspect your basement today. You may have noticed that we have had several large scale grading projects on the property in the last few weeks. These are all attempts for us to redirect some of the water flow and address some of the leakage into basements. Working in flood review, I am sure you understand that these are not simple fixes, and these projects are anticipated to be ongoing through the month of September. Also, we try to stress to our residents that the basements are not finished, livable space. We discourage placing items in the basement of any value and if you do store any items in your basement, we strongly encourage that you store them in plastic totes or up on pallets where the chances of damage from water are minimized). My response: (No, I have not noticed anything, but I work during the day. Plus I have not been given any notification of knowing that you are actually doing something to fix the area. I have to contact you to complain to get a answer. Since I do work in the Flood department I do know how important it is to take care of our customers and our customers come first. However, I do not feel I have been taken care of, nor has there been communication. That should be your first priority. This flooding situation has been going on for months, not weeks, and its always been pushed off. I have multiple emails regarding this situation. If these were simple fixes, we would not be having this discussion. I feel that statement is unacceptable regarding the basement and not welcoming at all. Who wants to live in a townhome that leaks?? No one! We should not have to deal with it either.
No Return Of Deposit Been Over 30 Days According To Nevada Laws | Case#**-*325
Lasvegas,
Nevada -
89104
I’m this complaint I have text messages that landlord continues to hold move in deposit after text agreement of tenant moving out on sept 15,2022 because landlord refuse to fix hole in roof,I have video and text! A broken window that I had so many flies raid the house it was unbareable unsanitary! Accessible piles of trash that cost me 400$ to remove from property upon moving in! I have the text messages from landlord nothin got fixed! Landlord has repeatedly threatened to use authorities to cover up the neglect when all we are asking for is the deposit that we are entitled to after we did what we were supposed to do is clean the house make sur nothing(trash) left behind,and at the end no deposit or any reimbursements for the piles of trash that cost $400 to remove
Squirrel / Rat Fecis Never Cleaned From Attic Or Walls | Case#**-*685
Marietta,
Georgia -
30062
while living at 1033 Pine Valley Dr. There was a rodent infestation. A pest control company did come and stop the rodents from coming into the inside the house but no one ever came to clean the fecis that was left in the attic and inside the walls. We saw fecis in several places but the landlord did not have it properly cleaned.
Bed Bugs | Case#**-*069
SAN JOSE,
CA -
95112 5469
In February I realized that I had bed bugs. One day that month I saw the pest control company working on unit 12 (I am in unit 10) and saw substantial cleanup happening below the complex. (Old furniture and rubbish were being removed.) I realized that my bed bug problem was actually a problem in the complex. I was not notified that there was a problem in the complex, nor was I contacted for my apartment to be inspected. I initiated contact with the management and let them know about the problem in my apartment. The pest control company, Clark, was sent to my apartment on February 20, 2012.
I enjoyed a brief respite without bedbugs. Unfortunately, the bed bugs returned in full force in July. This is not an uncommon problem if bedbugs are not eradicated from the entire complex. Since not all units were treated, the pests returned. Or, quite simply, they were not completely eliminated from my apartment in February. The first week of July, I let Marvin, the on-site manager, know about the problem. A week later I was told to talk to Frank, the property manager. He said that he’d report it to Naseran, the apartment owner. In the meantime, my living conditions became unbearable. I am bitten each time I stay in my apartment. I can no longer have guests as they have been bitten as well. I often stay other places, so that I can enjoy a night without being bitten.
I contacted Frank again (on July 23, July 24, and July 27) and he said that he wasn’t able to get a hold of Naseran, but said he did talk to her son. Naseran’s son claims that I must have reintroduced the bed bugs myself. This is just not the case. The only place that I have been with bed bugs is my own apartment. Additionally, the bed bugs have re-infested unit 12 as well. I am being told by the management that in order to have a pest control company return to take care of the problem, I will need to pay half of the pest control company’s substantial $1600 fee.
Through no fault of my own, I am not able to stay at the apartment for which I pay rent without being bitten. I have pictures of the bedbugs and the spots that they leave behind. Additionally, I have pictures of many of the bites I’ve sustained. Tonight I just found 14 bed bugs on the walls in my apartment. I am so desperate for a decent night’s sleep, I am going to sleep on the floor in the kitchen in hopes that I won’t be bitten. The bed bugs need to be eliminated. I hope the situation can be taken care of immediately.
MOVING DUE TO RENOVATIONS | Case#**-*034
PELL CITY,
AL -
35125 9205
At the end of July, we were told by clients and other tenants that we were being forced to move due to renovations at the end of the year. I notified the landlord to receive clarity about the situation. She let me know it was true, the renovations would start in Dec-Jan, and she would notify us when she found out more information. I decided to be proactive and search for other places to live since she mentioned we would not be penalized due to the short notice. I found a place that will not be ready until 9/4, but my current landlord is telling me I have to pay the month of September since i would be in there on 9/1. There was no discussion of paying a prorated amount, even though I would only be there the first 4 days. This situation has put all of the tenants in a bind, with a lot of people still searching. She mentioned my lease is not up until November, but I do not want to be left without a place to stay and with the previous issues, I am ready to get out of this lease under ParkWood. We were allowed to go 2 weeks without AC: I paid the rent although we could not stay there due to the temperature of the apartment. My hot water heater started making sounds & smoking: the closet was locked, so I had no way to see what was going on. The issue was not handled as an emergency. When I worked a part time job for 10 months making less than I was when I first moved there, I was told I could pay the rent late due to my situation & it would not jeopardize my lease renewal or moving as long as I paid by the 19th, but she has provided a negative review to each person that has contacted her.
Landlord Does Not Take Care Of Important Repairs On Rental Home. | Case#**-*422
FOLSOM,
CA -
95630 7653
Listed repairs as mentioned above need immediate attention. Especially the broken Heating system during this winter season. Leaks in the ceiling were never fully repaired since 2018 and are again currently leaking during these storms since December 22 to present. Wet rot and mold are a problem. We have paid for multiple repairs in the past five years without reimbursement. When we request Xu to help with the repairs she says she will have to raise the rent.
We realize the situation will not change and we have to reach out for help.
Bed Bugs | Case#**-*646
KEARNS,
UT -
84118 8079
I moved in 02/08/18. My sister and i did not sleep here until 02/10/18. I when we slept I woke up with about 10-15 bites all over my body it swelled up pretty bad. Called management and they apologized and sent the exterminators over. They said it was from the previous tenants. I am bothered by that because prior to us moving in this is something they should have overlooked before renting this place out or before ya moving in. The exterminators came did their job yet i was still getting 1 or 2 bites. It is 03/16/18 and i am still getting bit. This is very inconvenient my children rarely sleep here because of this situation. I am constantly taking my clothes to the laundromat to high heat dry my clothes and this all costs me extra money. Money that I should not even be using on this! I am putting this complaint in because I just want this issue taken care of. I can’t even purchase things for my home because this situation hasn’t been resolved it’s been almost two months I need help!
Break of contract, unlawful deposit, harassment | Case#**-*471
Lambertville,
New Jersey -
08530
The Landlord ammended my contract twice, changed it to 3 months instead of a year, and forced me to sign it or else she would kick me out, which is breaking the original contract I signed. She did this because I had a male visitor, which is perfectly acceptable as per my contract. She then proceeded to enter my bedroom when I wasn't home, made a $960.00 dollar fincancial error in my bills, set me up for a late payment, had the neighbors spy on me, accused me of stealing, and at the end of the lease, threatened to not return my deposit. The deposit was never placed in a NJ bank escrow account, which is against the law.
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.
