Rent Problems Are Frustrating; but you're not alone: Thousands of tenants rely on RPA to solve problems
Refusal to give back prorated rent within a reasonable time frame | Case#**-*804
Silver Spring,
Maryland -
20901
I was charged a full month's rent for August despite my lease expiring on Aug 17, 2013. I put in my 60 day written notice and followed my lease agreement as to move out requirements. I emailed Rosalynn to inquire about why I was being charged a full month's rent. She stated, " We charge a full month's rent. When you move out and return the keys, the prorated rent will be refunded to you." I returned my keys and completed my move out inspection on Aug 16, 2013. I turned everything into the management office. The guy who was at the desk (unsure of his name because he failed to introduce himself, but it wasn't Deavon) stated that it would take 30 days to refund my money after they processed the move out. I explained to him what Rosalynn told me, and if this was the case, they really should state that you will be charged full month's rent, and you will not receive your money until after they process the move out. I was never told this, nor was it in the lease or my move out paperwork they gave me. When I brought this to the guy's attention, he apologized. He stated, " He would process my move out on Monday (Aug 19th, 2013), then send it to corporate in Boston, and they should cut me a check that following Wednesday." I received an email today from Norman the assistant property manager stating my move out was processed today, and I will receive my refund within 30 days. This is unacceptable. They stole a half month's rent from me then want to refund it on their terms. It is not stated any where in my lease this is their procedure for prorated rent. All it states is that I must pay rent until my lease expires which I did. I have documentation on hand to back up my complaint if needed.
Issue About Check-in Date | Case#**-*830
DAVIS,
CA -
95618 6354
In the beginning of this year, we decided to rent an apartment at Sharps & Flat and we all paid our security deposit and signed a leasing contract which clearly stated the check-in date is September 5th, 2017. And couple of weeks before, we suddenly received a new request for signing a new agreement, which changed our check-in date to September 10th, 2017. We made at least 2 international calls,2 domestic calls and even one visit to their office in total. And we weren\\\'t given a clear explanation or plan of resolution until roughly 2 weeks to 3 weeks before the original check-in date. As the information and explanation was given too late and we were unable to change our current house without extra charge. In that case, we provided all the acceptable way of resolution including 5-day-living in a different apartment, reimburse us for the extra 5-day-living and even just store our belongings. However, regrettably they are all rejected by sharps & flat. And what breaks the negotiation is that Sharps & Flat took advantage of the market resource they have occupied, threatening to cancel our rights to live in the apartment, by which the local rental houses are always settled 3~4 months before check-in and it\\\'s impossible for us to find a new apartment.
Repair Isssue | Case#**-*652
DOTHAN,
AL -
36301 4100
Me and my husband complained for two months in the summer about the air not working. Nobody came out and we are at the end of July and our electric bills have doubled and it is 79 degrees in the house! When trying to talk to rental company it\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s always, \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\"we will send somebody\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\" two months later we still have no air. We can\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'t cook at the house because that puts it over 80 degrees in the house. The second problem is we have 100 amp breaker that pops at random times and will cut off our electricity. We called 3 weeks ago and they never sent an electrician. The electrician called us and said he had been there before but it was never fixed. So for at least a year we have lived in a house that has a huge fire hazard. Still no one has come to fix either problems.
Breach Of Agreement | Case#**-*972
JOLIET,
IL -
60435 3742
I have been a tenant for almost 3 years in the above residence. The repairs on the house, which was mostly cosmetics, is still incomplete. I have not been able to enjoy the potential of the home, and cannot fully move in. There are code violations, such as no smoke detectors installed, as well as a family of \"wildlife\", in the attic. (Raccoons) The Landlord was aware that he had issues with the wildlife in the attic upon my family and I moving in, and has done nothing to resolve the problem, on a professional level, such as call Animal Control on our behalf.
BED BUGS | Case#**-*901
Atlanta,
Georgia -
30306
I moved into Gables Rock Springs in Atlanta on October 12th, 2016. Within just a few weeks of moving in I started having many issues with pests - mainly being bitten in my sleep at night and waking up with many unpleasant bites. I\'ve also had stains on my sheets and pillowcases from bugs at night, leading me to believe there was a previous bed bug issue here. I have proof such as images of bites and stained clothing, etc. I\'ve also never previously had a bed bug issue. It is also important to note that my place is always exceptionally clean.
I reported this to the leasing office a few weeks later and they sent out their pest control person, but of course he found nothing because I clean up constantly and the bugs are out at night. They also told me at the same time that I would be responsible for any pest control treatments and basically blamed me for the issue.
Following that, I continued to get bitten and ended up paying for Orkin pest control on my own. They came out and sprayed 3 times, but I kept getting bitten. By January 17th, after months of getting little sleep, losing time at work, and being miserable I left the apartment with no resolution because they simple would not help me. I have the email chain showing how terribly unhelpful these people are and how they don’t care about the health or welfare of anyone living at their apartment complex.
I lost ALL of my possessions and almost even lost my job because of my loss of productivity from missing so much sleep. Now they are coming after me for payment from January onward and refuse to let me out of my lease.
breach | Case#**-*716
bartlesville,
Oklahoma -
74006
i have verbally been told by jennifer that my apt was infested before i moved in a mexican girl brought the bugs .was later given 7 dust and hotshot spray between the piosin and the lyme desiese i have been very ill not a heathly enviorment roaches also i have asked to please be moved please i need help and have no money to get another apt bed bugs bites can and do make you sick i am proof my doctor will confirm
Breach Of Agreement | Case#**-*528
Magnolia,
Texas -
77355
I have spoke with the previous tenant and she notified me there were bed bugs in the house when she moved out. Grand Oaks had me sign the lease under bad faith, they moved my family into a home that they were well aware of having bed bugs. They want me to pay $400 to \"treat\" the bugs. I want out of my lease and to be able to move ASAP
Bed Bugs Were Present In The Complex Before I Moved In, No Notice Given | Case#**-*189
ONTARIO,
CA -
91761 7965
2 weeks after moving in I received a letter on my door that they had to enter the unit to it of bed bugs because the unit above me had bed bugs. The tenants that were living there had given notice and moved out. They reported not seeing any bugs but 2 weeks later, I seen a bug on my mattress. I reported this to the manager. They sent out an exterminator 1 week later, but without prior notice to me. The exterminator notified my daughter that the people next door had a problem. The exterminator had to reschedule to come back 1 week later and I had to take the day off of work. We had to vacant the premises 6 hours after the exterminator left, a total of 8 hours. We weren\\\\\\\'t allowed onto premises until 10pm. I have all of my clothing still in bags, fearing infestation. II am told that I am responsible for any future cost of an exterminator.
Bed Bug Charge And Lost Rent Payment | Case#**-*799
Charlotte,
North Carolina -
28262
Since I have been living at Autumn Park apartments we had had several issues. We have had pest control come and spray our apartment on several occassions since moving in. We have had notes left on our apartment three times saying our rent was not paid but somehow reappeared after we would take our money order copy to the office or go tell them we paid it. One of our checks still hasnt been found and we have a balance on our account but the office said they would take care of it. The most recent issue is when we called pest control out again and asked him to check our couch. My neice has been getting bite since we moved in i.e. the reason for the continued pest control calls. When pest control came recently, he noticed we had bed bugs and that it needed to be treated. I believe our neighbors had this treatment a couple months ago. The office stated that we are responsible for paying the $800.00 fee for treatment and are required to set up a payment plan. Janey* stated that in our lease we are held responsible for treatment which I believe is ridiculuous. I told them that we have never had a bed bug issue and the issue could have been there before we moved in. I am still waiting for a call back but nonetheless I need guidance with these issues because the cost of living here is more than we bargained for. I just want to be sure these issues are going to be taken care of before I move out in May. Thank you for your time! Toree R
Stacking Penalty Fees | Case#**-*371
JACKSONVILLE,
FL -
32256 3798
My rent and water sewer fees are always on time or paid early, however a prior payment of the public utilities of water returned a money order indicating the money order was outdated, the complex charged a returned check fee to my account. In addition the original money order was never returned to me and notice regarding this matter was never given for several months after the fact. I travel for my living and am away for extended periods of time ...no email no phone call etc until a notice was attached to my front door claiming I owed close to 300 hundred dollars by my son who is a tenant also. In addition water usage is based on square footage compared to actual usage. As noted I travel out about 75% of my time so 1 person is using my utilities Please also note the returned money order amt for the water bill was paid at the time of notification.
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.
