Rent Problems Are Frustrating; but you're not alone: Thousands of tenants rely on RPA to solve problems
Mis-management Of Property And Not Repairing | Case#**-*569
COLUMBUS,
OH -
43232 3071
This apartment complex has not done one thing right since I signed the lease to my apartment. They did not even let me see the apartment until the day I was supposed to move in. When I enter the apartment, there so many thing wrong with the apartment, but I didn\\\'t have a choice, because I had to move out of the place I was in. I gave the leasing office a list of things that were wrong with the apartment and to this day, they have only taken care of one item and there is a lot of items. Some of the the stuff, I ended up fixing myself. They were small items. There are still many things that haven\\\'t been fixed and I\\\'ve been living here since August 2018. One of the leasing people named Deondra told us recently that they don\\\'t really care what goes on in the apartment as long as it stays in the apartment. The hallway smells like marijuana all the time. There have been several cars that are in the parking lot, which are abandoned. I\\\'ve asked them to check into them and get them out of here and they have not as yet done anything about them. I called the office last week, because they still haven\\\'t done anything about them and still nothing has happened. The apartment next to mine has caught fire and I\\\'m sure was not reported. The maintenance people said that there have been three fires in that apartment and the tenant still has not been evicted. I was home when that fire occurred, and the smell in the hallway smelled like crack burning or someone cooking crystal meth. No one was home at the apartment when they went into the apartment when they went into it to put out fire. Nothing gets fixed here. The carpet in the hallways looks like it it the original carpeting from when the building was built. the place is a dump and they are basically slum lords. There have been people who move out in the middle of the night, because they can\\\'t pay their rent. They say they do background checks on people before they let them move in, but I really don\\\'t think they do. They let people in that are soliciting things and do not do anything about it. There is a sign at each door that says no soliciting, but they still do it. Please help me get out of this situation or at least come inspect the place and see for yourself.
Deposit Problem | Case#**-*312
CHICAGO,
IL -
60637 2524
we had 1350 in deposit she gives me a list of things wrong with said apt , carpet was old we shampoo before leaving paint chip on window from dog ,have no problem paying for, sh said window treatment , which there was none railing loose from day one needed a screw 80.00here is a list on her so call repairs 702.00 carpet soiled 650.00 labor 175.00 supplies 175.00 repair window frame 450.00 paint labor 200.00 materials and supplies 3fire 2 carbon detectors90.00 there was only 1 carbon
Bed Bug Infestation | Case#**-*212
MIDDLEBURG,
FL -
32068 6012
We notified the landlord we were being bitten. We thought it might have been fleas as we noticed a few in the dwelling but later found out it was bed bug infestation. Never had problems until the recent move here.
Ongoing Noise Complaint | Case#**-*162
SEATTLE,
WA -
98109 5481
Ongoing noise complaint against unit 306. For a year plus I\'ve been dealing with my downstairs neighbor playing his music excessively loud, I\'m hearing it in my unit constantly. I\'ve written letters, talked with him in person and have told my apartment manager about it but he claims it\'s not him. My health has been badly affected by this overall. I need it to stop. At this point he\'s doing it intentionally because I\'ve told him that it\'s disturbing me, keeps me from getting to sleep and staying asleep.
Harrasment | Case#**-*199
GROVE CITY,
OH -
43123 9150
Manager has retaliated against me since i moved in, park manager harrases me and my 10 year old daughter who she also falsely accused her. She restricted me from making payment on tenant portal and from community social media site as well as community property!
Drug Activity, Noise Complaint | Case#**-*173
WOOSTER,
OH -
44691 3659
I\'ve been with holding my Rent since July due to noise and drug activity from the neighbors upstairs, I\'ve reported it to the landlord and they told me to report it to the police, i\'ve reported it to the police and they told me to report it to the landlord. My place of residence, I have found to be unsafe and not place of peace for my child and I were I\'ve resided for 9 years. I\'ve found Used needles by my car where my daughter pointed out to me as she was walking to get into the car, I\'ve found weapons such as Hatchets and machete\'s laying right in my front yard. The upstairs neighbors are always partying, always running up and down the stairs between 11pm. and it goes the majority through the night until 6 am. My upstairs neighbor has admitted to being a drug user and ive had conversations with her company as well that has admitted to their own personal drug use and drug dealing as well. Ive seen with my own two eyes dugs being exchanged in front of me. and it is not safe to keep living and having to paqy rent where my peace Is disturbed.
Problems, Repair Issues,breach Of Agreement | Case#**-*616
Atl.city,
New Jersey -
08401
Property mgn.is not property mgn.professional for job.she talks to you like she owns your property. When asked to fix something in apt.i had to go to codeinforcement,also the baord of health of NJ.to get the job done.i have my records.my apt.was flooded twice from pipeline busted in sealing.mgn.did not come check apt.until i went to the board of health code inforcement.second flood date jan.31,2015.mgn.didnt do anythi ng nor moved me out this apt.901.after was told that fire was sparkling from wall sockets 3 days after apt.second flood.mgn.when mgn.was confronted.she said she knew nothing about it.really?
Bed Bugs Infestation | Case#**-*092
LOS ANGELES,
CA -
90057 1535
I reported a bedbugs infestation on Monday, August 30. Later that they, I received a notice saying that on Tuesday someone would come to inspect the apartment. The next day I received another notice switching the inspection date to Monday, August 6th. I am afraid the manager is going to switch the date again and time is passing and the infestation is growing. I just want to make sure they are going to come because tomorrow, Monday 6th will be a week since I reported this and I do not want the manager to blame me for the infestation when in the past other neighbors have had this problem and I just learned this recently while informing my neighbors. They have commented that the manager blamed them for the infestation and even evicted someone in the past. She supposedly either tried or got them to pay for the whole treatment service.
Unfair Eviction | Case#**-*567
SAN DIEGO,
CA -
92110 1533
We have lived here for 3 years with our family - our daughter goes to the preschool up the street- we have had an alcoholic, crazy women living behind us in the studio apartment - the landlord has refused to help us in this situation because the woman is his friend - so he is making us both move out - we are having some difficulties since I just lost my job and we can not afford to move - we have explained time and time again what this woman has done and he does not want to get involved so now we have to move unfairly because she is INSANE.
Continous Harassment | Case#**-*565 Since the very beginning there has been some weird need to shout loudly when Christine Dawson comes by for any reason. There was one instance where she had called and stated that she needed to get the paint from the garage and we agreed that around 4 or 5:00 would be a good time. So the next day 5:00 rolls by with no show. She then shows up the next evening after 9:00 with the owner Tamira Barr wanting to get the paint. I stated that I did not feel comfortable having them come by so late. There were a lot of strange incidents like this showing up unannounced asking for tools and shouting when the rent was due even if I had just paid her. Literally, right after I paid her $1100.00 for the deposit and then another $400.00 on top of that. She (Dawson) continues to scream on the front porch where everyone in the entire neighborhood could hear her. I was not embarrassed for myself but for her and how ridiculous she sounded, but also for screaming at the top of her lungs my personal business, which is so unprofessional. Also my 9 year old and then 16 year old were scared and stressed every time she came by. It was a lot since she is the property manager. Once in April my purse was stolen with the all my credit cards, cash, I.D. phone, everything. She literally became, for lack of a better expression, the devil's spawn. I couldn't believe her unprofessional behavior, coupled with no empathy or concern at all for my well being or my children. I have children to think about and they hate living here now because of Christine Dawson's belligerent attitude. The last time she came by as we were coming home and blocked the driveway so that we could not park. Not realizing it was her I rolled down the window to ask why they chose to park there and if they would mind moving their vehicle. She proceeds to roll down her window and yell that she is not moving her car because she is evicting us and forgets to put her vehicle in park, so while she is yelling her car is rolling down the street. Mind you, it is 10:00 pm. We were all exhausted from our road trip. So continues to scream and my 18 year old begins video taping her and we get her license plate and call the police. As soon as we call the police she quickly gets into her car and leaves. I am reluctant to ever do business with her due to the fact that she never conducts herself professionally it is always with extreme anger and hostility. My youngest is terrified of her and wants to move.
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.
