Rent Problems Are Frustrating; but you're not alone: Thousands of tenants rely on RPA to solve problems
Neighbors Complaining | Case#**-*300
Newington ,
Connecticut -
06111
Upon moving in , I signed a lease for two years, initially until end of june i was complaining of two dogs barking, because my neighbors were both at work and at end of june, one of them being a teacher settled them down because she was at home, I work nights as a bail bondsman, so my hours very, but mostly at night , I have had several calls from my landlord asking me if i was moving out because the neighbors were complaining that i make too much noise, upon coming into the house . I even had a sit down to appease him and to try to find out what possible noise i can make when the apartment is very small and no room for moving around in here, I told him he is putting me in a bad situation, because i did tell him i would move but around December , but he tells me that is a bad time for him to rent the apartment . I do not feel that that is fair, I am paying rent , it hasn\'t been on time , because I did have an accident, and I had a letter of protection drawn up for him and he was fine with it, I am catching up now. I feel I cant move without them complaining , and their dogs are back at the barking now that schools back in .
Repair Issues | Case#**-*965
DALLAS,
Texas -
75211
ITS BEEN ALMOST A MONTH I\'ve complained about a mildew smell emitting odor from my laundry room which is being used for closet space . ,..my clothes began to have the odor that the laundry room emits....The apartment complex tried to cover it up but the smell still emits...after complaining over and over now they are perpetuating my intelligence with sarcasm and ridiculous excuses....
MIce and Ants in the house for over one month and doorbell has not been f | Case#**-*602
5226,
Texas -
75218
On april 15th i noticed rat poop and then actually seen the rat on april 19th called the office spoke to Justin and he said he was going to put a order in for pesr conttrol no one came ther following until april 30. the diswasher/microwave and door bell had not been fixed ever since i mover in either on may 7th they did pesr control for fleas not the rat problem they promise that they will seal the doors and they have not done that because i think that is were the problem is coming from and again i found i mice in my sons bed she promise that she will fix the problem and she has fail to do so. the diswasher and microvawe was berly fixed on may 4th 68 days after the deadline that they have according to the contract. she is very inpolite never has time for the residents so i would just like to move to let me break the contract or move buildings! I cant continue to live in this conditions and me not able to see my kids ; for the reason that they do not want to fix the problem i always pay rent on time i dont see what the problem is.
Bed Bugs | Case#**-*936 I moved in this apt Around Sept 2013 and had to move out in November due to Bed Bugs. The manager said we had brought them to the apt ,In which my matress was brand new when i moved in. I recevied a letter from the apts asking me to pay for treatment or else i would be evictied.So i just moved out i have pictures of the bites all on my legs and arms. These apartments are very nasty
Repair Issue/Health Hazards | Case#**-*518 Little to no hot water in the unit. Bathtub stained from brown water issue and still has not been properly cleaned. Electricity is faulty in kitchen. Molds growing in the apartment that I am highly allergic to.
UNAUTHORIZED CHECK CASHED | Case#**-*062
KENMORE,
WA -
98028 3116
He was my landlord and not only kept my deposit , he also entered into my premises with out for warning 3 times( admittedly) and at that time must have taken a check prewritten for my rent ? Unbeknownst to us we paid him by depositing cash into his account as requested by the landlord due to a previously bounced check. He waited until 6 months had past since date on check as well as our moving out to cash check and to untimetly take my money . I tried calling him to resolve the issue on my own. I was told by the bank, due to my signing the check, I would have to call authorities and take him to small claims court. I tried to contact him and resolve issue but cabb==not get a call back.
Dwelling Is Uninhabitable By State Law | Case#**-*237 I was assured the trailer, which I had paid for the first months rent early in the month of November on 11/11/14, would be ready for move in later that month. Once I gave the $250 deposit on the 26th of November (to Mandy Paul's assistant; which can be reached at 8507913415) move in day I viewed the trailer. It was completely uninhabitable. There are holes everywhere on the floor which lead to the outside of the trailer as well as on the ceiling and walls. The windows are not weather proof, some do not even work at all (they don't close). There is mold, dust, and termites within the trailer. It is by law unlivable and I request a full refund of my money plus the report filing fee as stated above. I have both pictures and film showing the trailer which in in very poor condition. The trailer is located at 4899 Lynn drive, Pace FL, 32571. Thank you for your time.
Breach Of Agreements And Repair Issues | Case#**-*405 Broken fridge for past 4 months, stove blew up and still sitting in kitchen regardless of fire departments recommending it being removed, holes in wall, broken window, landlord stopping by all hours of the night to inspect tenants without tenants knowledge.
Deposit Problems,tax Evasion, Refusal To Fix Hazardous Items,harassment | Case#**-*480
Reno,
Nevada -
89503
I lived in this rental for years, spending over $65,000 in rents and deposits. There were no improvements, the sewer constantly flooded my bedroom ruining thousands of dollars of my personal effects and making me sick multiple times. When storm damage occurred, she would fix a portion (if at all) with unlicensed, unsavory characters, and then pocket the rest, leaving me with broken, unsafe living quarters! The \\\"characters\\\" would show up unannounced, wreaking of alcohol/heavy cigarettes. I only heard from her when she would want something, like harassing me to pull weeds out of her rock garden in 90+ heat, when I told her multiple times that I have Epilepsy, and brain damage that gives me no temperature control, in addition to other deadly conditions. I was on SS Disability at the time with a low fixed income, yet would have to hire people to do this task whenever I had a few extra bucks. Or like when she gave me 5 days notice to increase the rent after prior increase and ignoring the major issues that needed to be fixed prior to my arrival. Her last request to raise the rent was with the comment that she made a mistake when refinancing and I need to pay more because of her financial problems, not because the house was worth it, it wasn\\\'t. We went through a couple years of her odd behavior as to how I paid the rent (on time), even suggesting her Accountant told her to get cash or money order to not claim the rental income (I am a certified tax preparer and he/she would lose their license for giving tax fraud advice! As I have told her, I have been a landlord and am not as dumb or ignorant as she treats me when she tells me these off the wall things. If I had not been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, since my last and final request about deposit $, I would have pursued this sooner but have not been well enough to keep dealing with this nonsense. I could go on and on and have multiple witnesses from plumbers, property management, friends and family, including my adult kids that lived with me during this horrible time. I am not trying to rip her off, like she has very clearly tried to do to me and others. I\\\'m just trying to get whatever deposit money (6 months later) that is owed to me along with legitimate receipts for what\\\'s been deducted. I have repeatedly requested this from her sending copies to her Son and a property manager that SHE had come check the residence. I was so happy he was involved, but they let him go after the clean report on the house.WOW!
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.
