Rent Problems Are Frustrating; but you're not alone: Thousands of tenants rely on RPA to solve problems
Rent Refund Issue | Case#**-*977 Landlord, Noemi Leal was paid $300.00 for the rent of October 9,2014 - November 9, 2014. (Receipt is held by Eduardo Guerrero). There are text messages and audio conversations in which we arranged to move in the next day after Noemi will fixe some of the prior damages and have an electrician put in a different plug for an electric stove (since none was provided before). Landlord NEVER granted a key for access to Eduardo Guerrero and the next day when Eduardo Guerrero was ready to move in, she was no where to be found.
Eduardo Guerrero insisted by sending messages and calling her cellphone but she never replied. The next day when Eduardo Guerrero was going to move in, he had no key and needed to open up the place in order to store the newly bought appliances delivered. As a result, Eduardo had to cancel the scheduled delivery with both sellers and he ended up returning the appliances. Noemi was no where to be found and he needed a place urgently to deliver his goods from a storage as well.
This lead Eduardo to not even want to move in after what had happened. He couldn't believe that he had paid someone $300.00 cash but never had access to the place and then she was not willing to return his money. She offered to return $100.00 even though he never slept inside or even touched the key. Plain up scam! A day after she was no where to be found, she claimed that she worked and didn't have the time to reply or answer his calls that day. When was Eduardo Guerrero suppose to move in? She further claimed that the place was opened the whole time (security violation) and she had told her son to inform him in case I showed up (contradicted herself).
She also claimed that she had lost other renters from renting throughout those 4 days (eventhough Eduardo was giving her the time to fix the property). He offered a deduction of those 4 days out of the $300 but Noemi Leal wanted a bigger piece of the pie. To end the story, Eduardo Guerrero never had access to the place he "rented", never received a key, and she kept his money. Please return the money.
Problems, Repair Issues, Health And Safety Concerns | Case#**-*270
LOS BANOS,
CA -
93635 4426
There are termites and bedbugs infestation not only poo n my unit but also in other units as well. My son has been bitten and so have i. Nothing has been done about this situation and she is intimidating my mom who is elderly and disabled. No up to date improvements had been made to keep this apartment complexe up to date and in compliance with the state health department code.
Apartment size | Case#**-*861
elizabethtown,
North Carolina -
28337
I first moved in on November 2011, and i was told that if I took a two bedroom I would be first in line for a three bed. I have a 21 year old son, and a 3 year old daughter that share a room. Since I have moved in 3 three bedroom apartments have opened and I have been passed over each time, and when I asked the new manager about it he told me he didn't have time to deal with it. I would really like to know how my family who are inter-community residents of your apartments cannot needs met, while new residents come in and are given priority. I really need someone to help me with this issue, because the new management really has no interest in the current residents. Any issues we have he dismisses them as if we do not matter.
Thank you for your time, and I hope to hear from you soon.
Thank you;
Jacqueline Challis
Have Large Hole & 2 Leaks In Livingroom Ceiling Above Fireplace | Case#**-*337
Dallas,
Texas -
75228
Have large hole in livingroom ceiling due to maintance man trying to fix lead in roof/celing. Cut 2 ft by 2 ft hole in ceiling. Has been reported to office servieral times. Office has key to apartment as of 8/8/2016, but still does not fix. A/C is going up into atic making electric bill really high. Mgmt refuses to help with bill even tho it is their fault.
Bed Bugs Continuous And Entering Without Permission | Case#**-*358
Tucson,
Arizona -
85719
Within the first week we experienced bed bugs only got it resolved 4 months later. Would always call the front office but no answer or call backs. Only like 3 times out of ten. Did not let me know when exterminator was coming because they \\\\\\\"assume\\\\\\\" we knew they come every wednesdays. No we don\\\\\\\'t! And he entered without us there. I told her from the beginning when we applied and she even mentioned \\\\\\\"no one is allowed to enter my apartment without me or without me knowing\\\\\\\" they went against it. Falsy accusing we lock our room doors when there\\\\\\\'s NO LOCK. Had alot of minor problems that took them forever to resolve.
Bed Bugs extermination | Case#**-*282
SUNNYVALE,
CA -
94085 1007
We found bed bugs two weeks after we moved into the apartment and brought it to the notice of the management and they did not respond. After we complained again they said they will schedule a chemical treatment and did that while we were on vacation. We found more bedbugs within a month of the treatment and complained again. They said they will get the heat treatment done and scheduled it. Now they want us to pay for the treatment. We did not have bed bugs before we moved into this appt. Management repeatedly denied precense of bed bugs until we actually caught a few and showed them to the management. We just do not want to pay for the treatments because we did not bring in the problem. Also we came to know that they were already treating a few other appts in the complex before we moved in which means that they already had a bedbug problem and did not tell us about it when we signed the lease.
Breach Of Agreement | Case#**-*418
OGDEN,
UT -
84403 1294
When water services are shut off to our apartments for maintenance, there is no notification, making us late for school and work. It is a non-smoking bldg. per contract, and neighbors smoke comes into my unit. The contract I signed said no animals allowed, but there are dogs everywhere barking and pooping. The building grounds are filthy and carpets have debris, soda, food, trash, all over them. Un-liveable conditions. Neighbors play very loud music in the middle of the night and nothing is done about it.
Bed Bugs | Case#**-*696 Existing Holes/cracks in wall(s) near couch. Couch came from parents house (no bed bugs). Since moving in the couch has been the worst area with bites/skin issues. Verified last night with 2 caught bugs with photos to match what a bed bug looks like. We have photos of all evidence and will upload soon after filing complaint.
Concerned with all other property in this apartment and the potential spread of these bugs to our parents homes/other. Call for immediate and professional response and will to move out immediately.
BREACH OF AGREEMENT RETURN OF DEPOSIT | Case#**-*287
CARY,
North Carolina -
27511
I LIVED AT THIS COMPLEX FOR 7 MONTHS AND HAD A BUG INFESTATION PROBLEM THE WHOLE ENTIRE TIME. I WOULD COMPLAIN AND THEY WOULD SAY THAT SOMEONE WOULD COME OUT TO SPRAY. THE BUGS NEVER GOT BETTER JUST WORSE. I FINALLY PUT TAPE ON THE BOTTOM OF THE FRONT DOOR TO SEE IF ANY ONEEVER CAME INTO THE APARTMENT TO SPRAY AND THEY DID NOT. I DID THIS TWICE AND WHEN I CONFRONTED THE OFFICE ABOUT NO ONE EVER COMING, THEY SAIDMY APARTMENT WAS HIGHLIGHTED IN THEIR BOOK SO IT MUST HAVE BEEN SPRAYED. I WAS KILLING AT LEAST 20 ROACHES A DAY. THE 6TH MONTH I HAD AN INFESTATION OF BED BUGS AND BELIEVE THE APARTMENT COMPLEX KNEW THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM IN MANY OF THE BUILDING BECAUSE THE MONTH BEFORE I HAD THE INFESTATION OF THE BED BUGS THERE WAS A SIGN FOR A SEMINAR ON BED BUGS BUT THOUGHT THAT WAS BIZARRE BECAUSE THAT HAD SUCH A ROACH INFESTATION WHY WOULD THEY BE TALKING ABOUT BED BUGS. SHORTLY AFTERWARD I DISCOVERED WHY THE SIGN WAS THERE.
Overcharging Me, Charged Me For Trash, Water Etc And I Have Never Paid Tha | Case#**-*402 The landlords are overcharging me for utilities and if you check my 7 months rent paid, i have never been charged for utilities. I had to go to Calif, due to my mom dying of cancer and shes on her deathbed, i told landlord i would pay rent and late charges when i return, Lisa Martinez gave me a 5 day to pay rent or quit, so i called to get total, 552.00 a month , on the 7th 50.00 plus 5.00 a day should total 754.00 but they charged me for utilities, water, trash etc, totaling 1000.00 plus, when i asked why so much, Mary the office lady was shocked, she said Lisa charged me for utilities I have never paid before.
The landlords are new, and they are do illegal stuff to the renters, if you send someone out to the Arcadia Gardens Apts, to talk to tenants, there are alot of pissed off tenants, water is turned off all the time and i've been waiting for them top fix repairs for 7 months
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.
