Rent Problems Are Frustrating; but you're not alone: Thousands of tenants rely on RPA to solve problems
2 year old Daughter has Asthma. Both floors smoke cigarettes and marijuana. | Case#**-*468
Portland,
Maine -
04101
Our landlord is letting us break our lease because even though she told us the house was non-smoking and the tenants above us only smoke occasionally they actually smoke both marijuana and cigarettes on both floors above us, one of which Karen Hamilton lives on. We clearly told Ms. Hamilton before moving in our 2 year old has intense respiratory diifculties and we were assured the house was non-smoking. I have e-mails that date back to September that clearly show that we have tried to do our best with this situation: purchasing fans, cold mist humidifiers, a very expensive air purification system recommended by our child's allergist that is designed specifically to combat smoke and covers more than the square footage of our apartment. Ms. Hamilton knows we need our security deposit back to pay for our new apartment and moving expenses. It is reasonable to request that she gives us our deposit the day we move given that we are not asking for moving expenses or reimbursement for the air purifier. We are happy to do an immediate walk thru and take pictures to document our final wak thru on February 1, 2010. We have letters from our daughters allergist and pediatrician that state it is a detriment to our daughter to stay in this environmnt as well as nearly a dozen witnesses that have have smelled marijuana coming form the upstari apartment numerous times every day as well as the strong smell of cigarette smoke. Even today, know our daughter is battling pneumnonia, the tenant upstairs came hme to smoke pot at noon. We really want to just want what's fair.
The landlord and a matience personell is engaged in illegal activity. | Case#**-*620
SAN DIEGO,
CA -
92111 2951
yes about my complaint it is against a landlord and matience personell Jill Semo the property manager here at the Stratton Apt homes With Fairfield Properties. Does not do anything about Derrick Davison the one of the matience workers. He Derrick has been engaged in illegal drug selling and trafficking. I know because I have worked on some of his computers before and there was a lot of traffic to his apt. and he also lives here on the property. about a year ago his shot at him with a 38 and jill did nothing about it. Jill Semo knows all about these things going on from what i can tell but yet she does nothing about it at all. Something tells me she is getting pay from this. anyways that is my complaint and would like something done about this!!!!!!!!!!!
Stacking Fees | Case#**-*350
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.
Bedbugs In The Apartment | Case#**-*149
GARDEN GROVE,
CA -
92840 6047
We moved into the apartment march 25 but the carpet was wet so we waited to move things into the apartment till the 26th. Today is the 29th so I wanted to write a formal complaint before too much time has passed. I initially noticed the bugs on the 27th but assumed it was just one of the rooms upstairs and bombed the room with a bed bug fume bomb to help but then we noticed it was all over the carpet, which is all of the second floor. Our first floor is wood floor.
Breach Of Agreement | Case#**-*159 I just moved in an apartment 05/30/2014. I found bed bugs in my apartment 05/31/2014. I also have mice and roaches. I called the rental office and informed them of the issue, they sent an exterminator. The exterminator looked at the apt and said he did not find anything as far as the bed bugs. I had to stay in an hotel over night 06/02/2014 due to the bed bugs. I called the rental office today 06/03/2014 to inform them that I would like to break the lease.
Roaches And Bedbugs Infestation Thoughout Building | Case#**-*960 I have contacted the management office over a dozen times over the last year regarding the pest problem (roaches and bedbugs) They come out and treat x 4-6 but problem persists and is getting worse. neighbors are moving out due to problem. They lied when stating their was no building wide problem with pests. My lease in up on May 30, 2014. I wish to vacate now and sue for damages for all the furniture and bedding I cannot take with me due to possible infestation.
Wrongful Eviction | Case#**-*007
Conroe,
Texas -
77301
On September 23 my partner and I moved it Rosewood Apartments not knowing that we would be suffering harassment and constant fear of our home being violated Now on October 2nd the Landlord Maria Called the cops to my home they did arrest my partner for possession of Marijuana also this was his first offense we never had trouble with the law after that incident my partner has been under strict probation supervision including drug testing. Ever since that incident my partner hasn’t smoked, just two days after he came home Maria accused us of weed smells again and when she couldn’t take our word for it she went to the back of the apartments where our window was to our room and stayed there looking through our window and that’s when the spying in my window started on also on that day she was wear a pink blouse. On October 23rd the landlord Maria sent me the first eviction notice with claims of weed smells I had evidential proof showing that we left our home early that day and were gone for hours so she proceeded to recant the first notice but the harassment didn’t stop there on November 18th She called the cops again just because our window was open and she claimed to have smelled weed again during that time I had both of my cousins who were monorail within my home one cousin which was 3 years old had asthma at the time was there no arrest were made and no drugs were found she gave us yet another eviction notice with falsely stated claims that she called the cops to my home 4 times and that we disrupted her daily work environment I have proof that the cops only came to my home twice and I also have proof that she is never at work and when she comes she only harassed us I am a first time renter everyday I lay in my bed crying afraid to be in my own home afraid of this lady I need help I will kindly submit any evidence including proof that Maria is never here
Overcharging | Case#**-*110
Buckeye,
Arizona -
85396
Last week myself and my family returned home from visiting family out of state to find that our A/C did not work. The week prior we had notified them that the A/C was having intermittent issues that need to be addressed and they said they wouldn\'t have someone out ot our house until the next week. However the A/C completely went out before they came out to fix the issue. That night I had to take my family to a hotel room as the house was reaching 95+ degrees inside and I have 4 small children from 8 yo to 10 mo. I asked them to reduce the rent by the amount of $117 which was they amount that we had to pay for rent and they said that they wouldn\'t because we didn\'t have in writing that they would and they had up to 48 hours to fix A/C problems. This may be the law but when it comes to the safety of children this is not acceptable. They would rather us stay in our home for that time we\'re waiting than go find suitable living arrangements for the night and then refuse to reimburse us for that night. I was not even asking them to reduce the rent by the amount per day that the A/C didn\'t work properly. Just a simple request to reduce the rent slightly since we were not able to stay in the home we pay for that night. They also said when I spoke with them that day that they couldn\'t send someone out to the west valley because \"it\'s so far out there\". Not that they didn\'t have anyone, just that it was inconvenient for them to go out that far.
Repair Issues,Breach of Agreement | Case#**-*804
GRAND RAPIDS,
MI -
49504 4498
Landlord fails to repair items in the unit in a timely and adequate manner. Repairs are shoddy, inefficient and late-coming. "Repairs" that are made often lead to worsening conditions or temporary relief
Repair Issue | Case#**-*214 Before moving into the property on June 3, 2013 Ms. Laura Gau and I made a verbal agreement that all deficiencies would be repaired within the first 2 weeks of moving in. The deficiencies consist of; No plumbing, replacing carpet, insect infestation, unsecurable windows, back door and fence, Inoperable hot water heater, furnace, ceiling fans and outlets. Of that list the only 2 repairs were plumbing and new carpet was installed I left the state for the summer for work on June 4, 2013 and by the time I returned on 29 July 2013, there was a sheet of looseleaf paper on the front door with a name and contact number for Mr. Brian Evins stating that he would be the new property manager. After speaking with Mr. Evins he explained that the reason he would be the new property manager is because of issues receiving rent payment from Ms. Gau. These same deficiencies were relayed to Mr. Evins and still nothing has been fixed. On October 23, 2013 I recieved a letter from Mak Gregor Management stating that they were taking over management of the property as of October 22, 2013, and a location was provided for rent drop off. Since moving into the property, the plumbing is broken again as what was used was a temporary fix and has now started to corrode. This has resulted in me having to use buckets to catch water leaks from the sinks. After realizing there was no hot water and there was no heat running through the house, I called Vectrun and the technician they sent informed me that the hot water heater was missing a pipe and wasn't far high enough off the ground. The Vectrum technician also stated that the conditions were extremely dangerous and could possibly scorch someone to death if they are not careful and needs to be repaired immediately. It has been almost 5 months that I have had to live in these conditions and I have a 6 month old son that I won't allow to live here because of the concerns I have about the living conditions. Having two property manager changes and not being able to put a face to the notices is also a concern of mine, especially when i'm expected to follow the payment instructions provided to pay rent.
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.
