Rent Problems Are Frustrating; but you're not alone: Thousands of tenants rely on RPA to solve problems
Landlord Harassment | Case#**-*222
ROCKLEDGE,
FL -
32955 4404
My sister and I have each been paying rent to my boyfriend. We have now broken up and he has demanded I move out immediately. My family and I have been actively looking for a place for myself, my sister and my 6 year old son to move. He has threatened me multiple times over the course of living here that he will call the police if I don\'t leave immediately. He has also falsely accused me of putting my hands on him and has threatened to have me arrested by doing so. My family and I have told him we are diligently working on finding a new place and that we need time to do so. This has not been satisfactory to him and he has continued to make threats. Over the course of an hour last night, April 17, he told me to leave, faster, or get out of his house eleven times. I have asked that the harassment stop and I be given the time to move out as he has demanded. At this point we are afraid of him and what actions he will take to retaliate.
Bed Bugs | Case#**-*555
Houston,
Texas -
77036
I am very concerned by my health, my son and myself. Have already spent $500 on medical expenses and have thrown away 2 mattresses. Have had my carpet steam cleaned and exterminated.
I have now had this problem for over 2 months!
I need urgent resolution as I now sleep in my living room with my son.
Thanks for your help.
I am Chinese and my Engish is poor. Kindly copy my friend Yves Cloots ( 281-630-8593// email ycloots@gmail.com) for additional information.
Bed Bug Infestion Of Buiding, And Tired Of All The Costs That This Caused | Case#**-*944 I am normally never one to complain because I am thankful for what I have, but, the apartments that i am currently living in has had a bedbug problem for the last 4 or 5 years. I just don't think that this is being handled properly, the only spray they have used was not done by a professional exterminator. i hope someone can help get this taken care of because my family is afraid of visiting me due to this problem. This has also cost me and a few other people from here a lot of money because the amount of furniture that had to be thrown out because of them. The situation is getting out of hand and i can't afford anymore furniture or to move. Please help resolve this situation as soon as you can. Thank you.
WATER FROM CELLING | Case#**-*755
HOUSTON,
Texas -
77065
SHE DIDN'T SEND ANYBODY TO TAKE CARE OF THE WATER EVENTHOUGH I TALK TO HER
Breach of Lease | Case#**-*674
Portland ,
Maine -
4103
Informed me on 7/1/10 that I have to leave the premises because he sold the property to another individual even though I had already signed a year lease in early May stating that I would be allowed to rent the property until 6/1/11.
Repair And Privacy Issues | Case#**-*849
OWASSO,
OK -
74055 4245
My mother, my wife and I live in Owasso, Ok. We have had many problems with the house as well as the landlord. She continually invades our privacy for example just coming onto our property and putting a fence in the very middle of our yard to restrict our dogs from running along the fence line. However, this fence does not allow us to actually leave our own back yard with the mower etc and is very inconvenient because there is no exit in the fence. We moved the fence but she said she wants it back up. Further more, she will come into our property such as come into our garage, invading our privacy. We have also caught her looking in our windows on several occasions as well.
In regards to our air conditioning unit. About a month ago our house flooded due to storms and negligence of fixing the property even though there have been past floods. The water inside our house was about 2 to 3 inches thick within our house. Our air conditioning unit was half submerged within this flood. The landlord agreed to pay for the new flooring but it is still not repaired and is going on a month with half of our floor concrete and bare. Now towards the end of the week, our air conditioning unit has not been cooling our house like it should be and it has been around 90 degrees in here. She sent her mauntenance worker over to check air flow and he said it was fine and left. It is still 90 degrees in here. We have asked her to please recharge the unit or something and she is refusing to come over and fix the unit. It has been almost a week with our air not working. We told her if she didn\\\'t fix it, we would have no choice but to call someone to come look at it and fix it and that she would have to pay. She said if we call some one she iant paying. She has been ignoring our calls and texts and this is really getting out of hand. My mother has quite a few health problems and the heat in the house only add to her problems. Some thing needs to be done. All is our animals are on our rent agreement.
Landlord Not Making Repairs To Leaking Pipes And Bare Concrete Floors | Case#**-*972
WESTMINSTER,
CA -
92683 4801
One year ago there was a water leak and flood. The landlord took over a month to repair the leak and have hot working working again. He left the floor unfixed and a huge whole in the wall with exposed piping in our 2 1/2 year old daughters room. We have sent repeated letters and phone calls to him regrind this and he refuses to fix the problems. Now there is another leak from the hot water once again or possible something that was never fixed one year ago. The floors have exposed concert for over one month and I have pictures with a voice recording of the landlord stating that he\'s not going to fix the problems and has decided to sell the home and make this someone else\'s problem. We have been living in a house that has a water leak and the floors are torn up with exposes bare concrete. On September 1st, 2017 we made the landlord aware that we are withholding rent until the repairs are made. He has complete avoided making the necessary repairs making this rental home habitable. On September 24th, 2017 rather than fix the problems the landlord said on that day he\'s deciding to put the home up for sale and isn\'t going to fix anything in the property. On September 26th, 2017 we received a notice to pay rent or quit. We have demanded our deposit back to move out of this property due to it being inhabitable and he has refused also. We would like our deposit back in the amount of $2,000.00 and this landlord needs to be reported for what he is doing. We have lived this property for 3 years and put up with a lot of repairs that were never done or not completely correctly. We have always paid our rent on time and now this landlord is trying to get away with not making repairs and is a complete slumlord.
Repair | Case#**-*226
ALSIP,
IL -
60803 3343
When I first moved in, I had told the landlord that the toilet did not work properly. He then came by months later to check for a water leak in the complex and checked my toilet. From then on, I would have to pound on the toilet tank to get the water to run. Soon after I started to get bugs because the toilet began to leak. I do have pictures and video of the non-working toilet. The kitchen sink also had a pipe that was rusted through and I had to use a mixing bowl to catch all of the running water. The bedroom window also was cracked and broken leading to bugs crawling through. The patio door did not lock so a wooden bar was used to lock the door. The landlord also took my oven and replaced it with an older one so that he could give the brand new one to the family upstairs. The whole building was occupied by Arabic families. I believe because I was not Arabic, I was being discriminated against. The mailbox was missing its lock so I had missed a lot of my mail. The mailman had to ring my buzzer, if I wasn't at work or school, so he could hand deliver it to me.
Uninhabitable Dwelling due to Cockroaches | Case#**-*414
SAN JOSE,
CA -
95133 2120
The apartment is located in San Jose Ca., it’s about a 15 unit complex. I stayed with my family on 10/19/2012 and left 10/23/12 and notice that my family is still dealing with the roaches since move in. I cleaned each day with bleach all of the kitchen, dishes, stove, fridge, walls and count tops given roaches appear day and night. During the night roaches wake you up by climbing on you while sleeping. I had to use toilet paper as plugs to prevent from having one of these animals come into my ear. These insects are everywhere: kitchen, rooms, clothing, dishes, fridge, bathroom, furniture, kid’s toys, and they crawl on our bodies while in bed. Our food has to be bagged and dishes wash before using. My family has talked to the manager and Flavio but each time they do my family gets threats of an eviction or a move out notice instead of addressing the problem. The management firm allows tenants to storage recycling cans on their patio, which carries ants, and roaches. My family has three kids and my concern is the safety of my whole family but most importantly the kids living there. I try to talk to him about the issue on 10/23/12 regarding the roaches and before this, but instead he was focus on complaining about my dog which I mentioned we were not living in the unit and where on our way out. My family doesn’t have the best credit and I do believe that this may be the reason as to why they allow this firm to take advantage of them. I can’t allow this and have offered to co-sign for a new unit, but this needs action now. I have seen my family sick with colds, headaches, asthma, and depression and I would not be surprise if it’s because of how unhealthy they live given the landlord is not exterminating the whole 15 units all at once. I also noticed that my family keeps the lights on to have less roaches appear during the night. It is my understanding that the city has been out two times for: trash, and recycling cans stored on patios, roaches, and fly’s because of the uncleanness of the complex.
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.
