Rent Problems Are Frustrating; but you're not alone: Thousands of tenants rely on RPA to solve problems
Deposit Problems & Others | Case#**-*006
CHICAGO,
IL -
60612 3741
I\'m from Puerto Rico and came to work in Chicago after Hurricane Maria. I do not know the city so I did not know that the apartment they were offering me was not a safe place and that the money the owner asks for is not fair for the place. I agreed to a month to month contract but they asked for a deposit and a moving fee. The landlord did not give me the receipt of the account for the deposit. The roomate is a relative of the landlord. He harassed me and made me feel very uncomfortable. I fear for my safety and well-being. I could not stay in the apartment, I was only a week. I explained several times, including a lawyer\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s communication, to the landlord and did not want to understand the reason. Both were very rude to me. The landlord does not want to give me my deposit. It has been a very bad experience in which I lost money. Regarding the physical structure, the air conditioning did not work well and lock the entrance gate was broken.
Pest Problem, Rent Fraud | Case#**-*066
AMELIA,
OH -
45102 1789
I paid rent on 9/5/2019 1775.00 which is my monthly rent amount. The rental company reversed my rent payment off and applied it to a water bill and then charged me a 75.00 late fee for rent being late. Rent and water is a separate charge. Also, ive never received a water bill so dont know the accuracy of charges. Ive asked several times still no bill. Now my rent look like its unpaid and 499.00 short, but it was paid on time. Now im at risk for eviction. This was my last month before renewing lease. Ive been here 5 years and this has never been done. Also, i have mice and snakes in home that was pre-existing per my lease anything pre-existing is there responsibility they have never properly corrected this problem.
Bed Bug Infestation | Case#**-*524
BOSSIER CITY,
Louisiana -
71111
I have had a bed bug problem in this apartment for at least 2 years. They have put out bombs a couple of times and sprayed a couple of times but don\'t follow thru to get rid of them. I again reported to property manager and he claims there are no bed bugs in this apartment. I\'ve taken pictures today! He said he was coming g over to see, never sowed up. I also have my next door neighbor have them in his apartment as long as 4 years ago. They refused to help him. Apt. #218. I need help I have had open heart surgery and stents during this time. I need help. I can\'t afford to move at this time.
Living issues- front door insultation issues - minor child involvement | Case#**-*155
Naperville,
Illinois -
60563
management has been contacted since November , Of insulation,windows,front door leaks, hot water not working and cold weather conditions that have costed added heating expense due to his neglience, Minor child unable to stay on first floor due to these issues, I have several emails, The only issue he has partially fixed is my hot water tank all others have been ignored Front door is warped needs to be replaced, No insulation or storm windows in unit ,Causes air coming in front door and all windows, He has told me he would look and fix and has not , Heat bills have doubled, and he refuses to ack, He basically will not fix anything , I even deducted front my rent until he would fix this month and all he did is send a bill for remainder of rent for the month, I need assitance as my minor child cannot even be in her living room
Rented Condemed House | Case#**-*854
Madison,
Georgia -
30650
had city building planner of madison ga inspect the house and it was found to be no livable for human due to several large issues such as windows being glued shut with no locks on them. As well as the wires underneath the house were not ground and the roof was dry rotted and pulling away from the house. They gave us a brief tour and told me and my wife that we needed to sign the lease to see the house again. Georgia is one of the few states that once you sign a lease it is final no matter what. We brought several of these issues up to the landlord with nothing fixed. She then began not to cash our rent checks and stated that we passed the day stated on the lease and wanted us out but to keep the money as well. We then went to court where we lost. We come then to find out that our landlord and the judge are related through marriage. As well we found out later that we were only allotted seven days to appeal and move out when the law states thirty.
Noise Level After 10pm | Case#**-*613
Silverdale,
Washington -
98383
Nosie level from a tenant and the company don\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'t run things right
Repair Issue | Case#**-*845
Fredericksburg ,
Virginia -
22401
1. Maintenance unable to fix when tenants are locked out or when maintenance improperly installs door.
2. Sewer repeatedly leaking through ceiling, destroying floors, carpet.
3. Water leaking from broken and repaired light fixtures, maintenance leaving wires visible.
4. Landlord and maintenance taking longer than 24 hrs. to respond to emergency calls.
5. Neighbors overflowing toilet/tub multiples times a month causing damages to several units and no repairs or precautions taken.
I have bedbugs after 8 years and my complex wants me to pay for treatment. | Case#**-*064 I have bedbugs and this complex said it was due to me or my guests, with no investigation that new renters are above and below my apartment. After request of professional inspector, sentimental object broken during search as well as bedroom ransacked without returning things to proper place. Tried to have pest management look prior week for issues but no request sent due to lacsidasical nature of complex assistant.
Harassment,forgery,theft Of Original Lease,crawling In Window While Asleep | Case#**-*621
Tucson,
Arizona -
85715
Harassment to sign property back to him, crawling into our window while asleep in room, original lease went missing and a different one showed up on kitchen counter with forgery of my husband\'s name and my signature not there on different lease. Provided work in the house and agreed covered partial payment on August rent to have him try and force us out of the house 3 days later
Noise Complaint From 1 Neighbor | Case#**-*442
Dunwoody,
Georgia -
30338
We have received a few notices via phone, email informing us that our neighbor directly below us 1 floor has filed complaints to the Two Blocks Leasing Office about \"excessive noise\" and \"extreme noise\".
I have lived here with my wife and 1 cat, going on 3 yrs; I am 55 yrs old and my wife is 60. We do not have loud parties, we do not play music or TV loudly. We are cognizant of the thin floors as the tenant above us (who was a petite female, guessing 100 lbs) sounded as if she weighed 300 lbs as she walked through her apartment.
The first complaint we weren\'t sure what the cause could be after thinking about it. Then about 6 mo ago, we received a call from the Two Blocks Leasing Office, the employee spoke to my wife, saying this tenant below us was complaining about \"stomping\" and other loud noises during the hours of 1a - 4a. My shift is 330a - 12p so I get up at 130a Mon - Fri but I\'m am considerate and walk lightly as I can as I get ready for work. Then we thought it could be the cat; he gets frisky at night, running, jumping off the cat tree, chasing toys etc. So we started putting him in the spare bedroom or on the porch when my wife goes to bed at approx 11p. I keep him there and my wife lets him out when she gets up at approx 5a.
On Thu 6/8, I received an email with an attachment which was a \"Notice of lease violation\" from the manager, Mersiha Zeric. In the document, it states if the complaints don\'t stop, this \"...will resolve in termination of your lease at your expense.\" So I called the office and asked the employee, why they are just taking that person\'s word and not substantiating this complaint or even discussing it with both parties. In addition, I was in the office, picking up a package, about 2 wks ago, and I asked the manager then if any more complaints were made...she said she wasn\'t aware of any.
On Fri 6/9, I went to apt #2209 to see if I could discuss this matter but nobody answered; I also went there today...nobody answered. I left a note explaining our side of this and included my primary phone# and asked the tenant to call anytime when there was noise occurring. I haven\'t heard from the tenant, no voicemail.
We are good tenants, keep our apt clean and pay rent on time. I want to avoid a legal dispute if at all possible but I will seek legal advice from an attorney if necessary.
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.
