Rent Problems Are Frustrating; but you're not alone: Thousands of tenants rely on RPA to solve problems
Repair Issues: Mold/rain leakage in roof that causes illness to family | Case#**-*699
DALLAS,
Texas -
75249
Why? I have been living at 6327 Lake Bluff going on my 2nd year now. There was a bad hail storm April 3, 2012 which damaged the roof even more than the normal wear & tear. I contacted the old manager Kevin to tell him about the damage the roofing company said the weather had caused within a week or so after the storm. Kevin never acknowledged the damage until a couple months ago this 2013 bc I started withholding my rent. Kevin sent a claims adjuster out at the end of February & still nothing has happened not even a phone call from him or a roofing company. I became used to no responses & delayed repairs from Kevin the year before so that is why I decided to withhold my rent beginning January 2013. The most important reason for withholding my rent is because my family & I have become constantly sick due to the mold growth from the air ducts & leaking roof. My oldest son is 6 years old & was not constantly sick before we moved in this home. I noticed my son becoming sick October 2012. He first had pneumonia, then upper respiratory infections numerous times. He also developed asthma, nose bleeds, consistent coughs, strep throat, ear infections, rashes, flu/cold like symptoms. My 6 year old doctors gave him a allergy test to try to figure out why the constant sickness. The results of the test came back saying my 6 year old has an allergic reaction to mold. My youngest son is 3 years old & his asthma has gotten worst that I have to put him on a breathing machine more often than usual. My 3 year old has also had strep throat, nose bleeds, rashes, consistent coughing, flu/cold like symptoms. It has begin to be a chain reaction over here because when one son is feeling better the other son starts feeling sick. I never go to the doctor & had not had to go since the birth of my 3 year old. However, I had to take myself to the doctor this March 2013 because I had a bad sinus infection that lasted an entire month. I do have documentation (bills) saying all the doctors visits & why, which shows how abnormally often the visits to the doctors had became for my kids. My husband would also get sick briefly when he would be at home but the symptoms would clear up once he goes back to work (He works & stays out of town weeks out of the month). If it would not be for my family consistent sicknesses as well as delayed/no repairs we would not be withholding rent. Thanks for getting air ducts cleaned finally due to me making the appointment myself.
Wrongful Eviction,retalation, Tresspassing Leaving Disabled Homeless TRUAMA | Case#**-*854
JACKSONVILLE,
OR -
97530 9019
Please combine this complaint with my first one I sent. I have just now found it in my email, I had not payed the $35 filing fee, But did so this evening. I CAN NOT FIND A CASE NUMBER.
My name is Sharon Brecht Hunt, awhile back I contacted you telling you about my traumatic life event I had been going thru with a terrible landlord . Jerold & Pamela notch of Central Point Oregon. I cant remember what all I filled you guys in on So I will fill you all in again and then some I probably left out, I rented a home 7 years ago in Jacksonville Oregon from this man Jerold Notch. his wife Pamela Notch had never been involved in this rental until this eviction. When I moved into this home it was a filthy uninhabitable mess. I have proof that at move in I paid $180.00 for the carpets to be professionally cleaned..T he kitchen at move in had a bucket under the kitchen sink for the leaky faucet in which remained right there under the kitchen sink for the hole 7 years of me living there,I have since figured out to why it was never fixed in the 7 years, Because Jerold notch used the leaky sink as a excuse to come into my home WITHOUT giving me notice,,,many times. I caught him in my home on more than one occasion of him not giving me any kind of notifying, THERE IS A VERY IMPORTANT LEASE THAT BANK OF AMERICA HAS ON FILE UNDER A REFINANCE THAT JEROLD NOTCH TOOK OUT,ON THAT LEASE, IT SAYS RIGHT ON IT, EXACTLY WHAT I PAYED AT MOVE IN,,AND THAT WAS \\\'\\\'FIRST AND LAST MONTHS RENT AND THEN DEPOSITS, I AM POSITIVE OF THIS AND NEED THIS VERY BADLY, JEROLD NOTCH COMMITTED FRAUD IN COURT WHEN HE AND HIS FANCY LAWYER GOT MY EVICTED FROM MY HOME,I WAS NOT BEHIND ON MY RENT,MY RENT WAS PAYED IN FULL EVERY MONTH,IT WAS 2 DAYS AFTER I PAYED MY RENT IN FULL THAT JEROLD ONCE AGAIN SHOWED UP AT MY HOME,,WITHOUT ANY KIND OF NOTIFYING ME, THIS TIME I GOT ALITTLE UPSET WITH HIM,,BECAUSE OF SHOWING UP,AND HIM NOT REPAIRING THE KITCHEN SINK THAT HAD A BUCKET UNDER THE SINK FOR THE HOLE 7 YEARS OF ME LIVING THERE,,ALSO THE REFRIGERATOR,,I COMPLAINED SO MANY TIMES TO HIM ABOUT SPOILING MY FOOD,,ALSO THE STOVE AND OVER,,I HAVE PICTURES OF ALL OF THIS, I ALSO HAVE PROOF THAT THEY HAVE BEEN DEFRAUDING THE IRS ON THE RENTAL MONEY I HAVE GAVE THEM.I HAVE PROOF,,U SEE I WHEN I FIRST MOVED IN FOR LIKE 2 OR 3 YEARS,,PAYED MY MY PERSONAL CHECKING ACCOUNT,,SO I HAVE THAT TO SHOW HOW MUCH I PAYED EVERY MONTH,,,,i dont have enough room to finish this story,this unreal,very wrongful eviction a disabled.
Landlord Refused To Treat Confirmed Bug Infestation. | Case#**-*048 Apartment is infested with bed bugs. We have noticed it three weeks ago. Inspection confirmed the infestation.
We are moving in five weeks. Land lord refused to treat the apartment claiming they will not treat it as we are moving in five weeks.
We have small children that are getting bitten. What are we supposed to do during these five weeks? Also, we do not want to move the infested furniture.
structure unsafe | Case#**-*643
new columbia,
Pennsylvania -
17856
We moved in in October of 2013 with the belief it needed no more tthan cosmetic work. Once the weather turned cold we found the furnace did not work, the pipes froze, no water for a month and a half, no insulation, water heater broke. The electrical outlets did not work, blew fuses, ruined my computer, water flooded kitchen and storage room damaginh carpets of mine (wool area rugs) and furniture, electrocs, and appliances. I became ill from the cold while pregnant and lost the baby. Surgery had to be rescheduled because we had no water, or working toilet, sink etc.. when I asked for security deposit back, so we could move. The landlord gave me a ten day eviction notice.
Sewage Or Drain Gas Smell Coming From The Air Vents. | Case#**-*763
VALLEY VLG,
CA -
91607 2282
This has been going on for years and they weren\'t able to fix it. This is an old building with clogged drain issues. They will have to clean all the pipes and drains plus they will have to check the leaks in the pipes next to the air ducts with cameras.
Elevator Always Breaking Down | Case#**-*438
LODI,
WI -
53555 1057
The elevator is always breaking down. Mom and I got on it the other day and got stuck in it. My family and I are moving mom out of this complex and this is one of the reasons why. She has been stuck in the elevator many times. My family and I were cleaning out the storage unit and taking items up to her apartment on the second floor and had to walk up two flights of steps because the elevator would not work.
Repair Issues, Leaking Roofs For 4 Years, Mold | Case#**-*057
NORTH OLMSTED,
OH -
44070 5411
For the past 4 years you have made countless attempts to fix or repair leaks in mine and others appartments. You have failed countless times. I have lost time from work on numerous occasions. I am tired of waiting for you to do a proper fix.
Deposit Problems | Case#**-*488
DORAL,
FL -
33122 1968
We rented a house to Andrew Bazze (landlord). He is an agent of this real estate company Strike Realty. He rents his own house under this company previously mentioned.
The house was rented from 02/08/2023 to 03/13/2023. for a price of $5000 plus a security deposit of $1000.
On 03/13/2023 we notify the landlord that the house was ready, clean and organize so he can go to inspected it and give us the deposit back.
He never replied to us, he never answered our calls or text messages.
After a week he just showed up with a text message saying he was going to keep the deposit with no valid reason, he was rude, aggressive, and threatening.
We have all the proof that can validate this.
He just wanted to keep our depositing with no valid arguments.
He is taking advantage of the company where he works to make contracts and rent his own house under the name of this agency and keep the deposits with no reason, it should be noted that the client already pays a very high amount for the rent.
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.
