Rent Problems Are Frustrating; but you're not alone: Thousands of tenants rely on RPA to solve problems
Deposit Problems | Case#**-*625 My wife and I were approved to rent the 333 Lincoln St #205 Denver, CO apartment in November, but were not going to move in until mid-December, which I discussed with Sam, John's assistant. Sam said that was fine, but on the 18th of December, my Grandmother passed away and we were forced to go out of town until January 3rd. He said that we would no longer be able to rent the apartment, which was fine with us, we just wanted our deposit back so that we could rent another property. On January 9th 2014 John said that he would be sending our deposit back to us and that he had tried multiple times at our previous address to send it back to us. We sent him our proper address and then he never sent us the deposit back to us, even though he had stated he was going to do so in an email. Now, today, January 29th he said that he won't be sending us the deposit because we were "playing games." We aren't asking for anything unreasonable, just that our funds that were to hold the apartment are returned to us, as we never took possession of the property.
Discriminatory Monthly Rents | Case#**-*391
VANCOUVER,
WA -
98665 8061
I believe I am being asked to pay a higher rental than anyone else.
Being Harassed With Noise Complaints For Reasonable Apartment Use | Case#**-*486
Houston,
Texas -
77090
I use my apartment during reasonable hours no loud noises after 10:30 , I keep volume down to a minimum where it can\'t be heard outside my walls but I\'m receiving written complaints detailing issues with noises. According to the RPA this is a form of harassment and I would like it to stop.
Overcharging On Water Bills For Everyone By About Triple. | Case#**-*755
Eagleville,
Pennsylvania -
19403
I feel The mobile park I am living at is falling on hard times and they are taking it out any way they can. Very high rent increases EVERY YEAR, (20 to 25 dollars), re-selling water at a much higher rate. People are leaving a lot because of prices here and that causes a domino effect. It is truly getting too expensive. I was told that they have to keep the share holders happy. I don\'t care about share holders, I care about me, and the other elders that have a hard time paying. The water is my main issue but letting a year or 2 go in between increases would also be nice, and also would be normal where as I never heard of anywhere that does a 20 dollar increase like clockwork every year.
Mold, No Lights, Improper Eviction | Case#**-*569
COLORADO SPGS,
CO -
80915 1740
There has been mold in the bathroom since I moved in it was painted over to disguise it. There are no lights in the parking lot causing a safety hazard. There are mice, my apartment isn\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'t the only one with these issues. The windows leak causing cold air to come in. They came and measured the windows but didn\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'t replace anything. There has never been any notice when they do anything including entering my apartment. I called the land Lord and told them that they were trying to charge me for something that wasn\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'t stated in my lease, Jim, the \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\"property owner\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\" became hostile and hung up on me. I received an eviction notice three days later.
Bed Bugs | Case#**-*349
Phoenix,
Arizona -
85022
About 5 months ago we found out our neighbor (2056) had a bad bed bug infestation, i mean thousands! As soon as i found out i called Bellridge\'s office where i spoke to Edwin. I explained the issue to him and stated that i would not pay my rent while my apartment was at risk of being infested. He told me that i had not gave them time to fix the problem, and if i did not pay they would take me to court. I figured he was right and i should give them some time. A couple days later an exterminator came to spray my neighbors apartment(2056). The man that lived there was a head case and had his locks change every other week, so the exterminator could not get in to spray. I asked the man that lived next door if they had ever came to spray or heat treat his apartment, he stated and i quote \"i havent heard a peep\". Then my girlfriend had gone down there to make sure that they knew the neighbor had bed bugs, the office then told my girlfriend that they would come and dust the outlets because he knows that is the most common way of them transferring to us. No one ever came to dust the outlets. So we had to go and pay out of our pockets to get rid of the bed bugs. Now two months n our bed bug problem is much worse we see them crawling on our sofas . Not only that but i kept the bed bug show them that the problem was never resolved.
Invalid Deduction To Security Deposit | Case#**-*873
HOFFMAN EST,
IL -
60192 1133
I had rented the property listed above from 06/2016 to 06/2019, during this time we had maintained the property as if it was ours, we had taken care of the property very well. At move-in, we had noted all the issues in the home but only focused on the living space, we did not include garage, garage door and outside of the property in our move-in checklist.
At the time of move-out, the landlord is deducting monies from the security deposit claiming that there is a dent in the garage door. We never caused this dent. I am trying to figure out how can I get my money back.
Race Based Discrimination For Lease Renewal | Case#**-*145
Albuquerque,
New Mexico -
87106
The property manager is well aware of the situation and has tried to claim it was racist of me to pray for protection against Nazis.
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.
