Rent Problems Are Frustrating; but you're not alone: Thousands of tenants rely on RPA to solve problems
Inaccurate Move Out Charges | Case#**-*946
Chandler,
California -
85225
I was charged $1800 plus to replace the cabinets when I moved out of the apartment. The cabinets were left in good condition. They were covered with a thin layer of paper which started to peal up in some places, but this was normal wear and tear given the materials used.
Deposit paid, work completed, fleas roaches | Case#**-*205
Acworth,
Georgia -
30101
Infested property.Verbal aggreement to clean and move in two weeks pror to July first. Withdrew based on infestation after paid attempts to rid the peast control.
BED BUG INFESTATION 2 TIMES | Case#**-*976
Phoenix,
Arizona -
85032
My roommate and I moved in, 2 months later got bed bugs. we couldnt stay at our apartment for 3 months but still had to pay rent. 2 months and our lease is up and we got bed bugs again! they lied about making an apt. to have them taken care of and take their time doing so. we have had to throw away 2 beds, a couch. mutlitple things of clothing. not to mention we couldnt even stay at our own place and we had to pay rent! i find this unright. we should get a refund of our securtiy deposit, break our lease and be refunded the money paid since we couldnt stay there a total of 5 months of the 1 year lease to make up for the items lost in the infestation
My Kitchne sink is leaking for last one week. Not working I cannot cook et | Case#**-*007
Jersey,
New Jersey -
07306
This apt bathroom door does not close properly. Kitchen sink has been overflowing for past 6 months on and off and now not a drop of water goes through. For past two weeks I have been telling them. Now for last 4 days they brought some plumber and it got worse. The landlord says that he is calling plumber but what can he do if they do not come. I cannot cook etc. My house is in mess. I am fed up.
Slum Lord Violations | Case#**-*078
Daytona Beach,
Florida -
32114
There are multiple issues with this building. The ceilings are caving in, there are holes in the floors where you can see the ground outside, the wiring is faulty (today alone I have had to trip the switch to resume power) we have a disabled man (an amputee) who is confined to a wheelchair with no ramp, so he is confined to his room, the building is falling apart! With the power/electrical issues, the disabled man cant use his breathing machine at times because the power is out! If I am NOT home to fix it, he has to wait for me to get home to fix it, the acting mgr does nothing! Her name is Tara Meredith. We have been told for months that the wiring was being fixed and nothing! All this man does, is collect rent money and cares nothing about his tennants living in deplorable conditions. He has a Junkie, who steals the rent money acting as manager. I called code enforcement who came out and due to the condition of the building called in the building inspector due to the instability of this building! If a bathroom upstairs over flows, it comes through all the floors and leaks onto the first floor! The next day, I was issued an eviction notice for calling them! The health department was called as well due to the horrendous amount of black mold and horribly unsanitary conditions! Please help us before this building falls on us and seriously injures someone! We NEED help! There isn't even a tennant list! They hardly have any information on the people living here, I know he has none of my info!
Breach Of Contract To Fix Repairs Resulting In Harassment/retaliation | Case#**-*229
CHANDLER,
Arizona -
85226
Due to our right to ask for repairs, and the landlord admitting she cannot remedy the situation, she is violating our rights. She has sent a 5 day and 10 day notice, on a holiday week, lied about how they were delivered, has not followed up since on those deadlines. She has tried to get us to leave on several occasions using legal jargan to intimidate us. Telling us different amounts due and not responding when we need clarifications, making it difficult for us to make payment, continually looking for a reason to evict us, being accusatory in texts and emails, I am now uncomfortable in my own home, and I feel she is retaliating in regards to us exercising our rights. And now that I\\\'m filing this complaint, I\\\'m afraid she is going to llie somehow to evict us. She has made verbal promises and written for repairs Jared would preform before move in and be compensated for. Now she is trying to back out of her paying him. We started a civil law suit, I did not file yet, we emailed her about taking the money off rent, she did not rebuttle it or disagree. I told her via certified mail that I would deduct off rent to avoid lawsuit, she didn\\\'t respond until today, saying ok that a deposit would be made later today. I feel that she will try to file a false eviction because it all goes back to her not wanting to fix the mold issue in the bathroom. She advised us of her concern with the issue in the bathroom before we moved in. Jared agreed to do repairs unless mold was presented. We gave pics and landlord haulted all work and brought in her friend. It has been shady and weird since. Plus I found documents on the property validating our concern of our health that she had s potential mold issue and a company Hired to begin work. She did not disclose that at all to us from 2010 and we directly asked about that. As soon as we exercised our right to repair and implied warranty issue it has been nothing but trouble from her. She is harassing, intimidating, and putting our health in danger. Implying I\\\'m a liar. I am at the point where I am physically ill, not sleeping, changes in mood , not able to focus on my job or school work. I don\\\'t want to file an injunctive order of harassment and sue her for harassment, as well as her obvious dodging of the health issue repair, amongst several other violations. We are having our quiet enjoyment interrupted since the very beginning especially since the day before Thanksgiving with her eviction notice retaliating our claim for repair
Bed Bugs | Case#**-*560
Irving ,
Texas -
75061
prior to moving into my apartment there are bed bugs you can smell them after staying 8 days into the apartment my 10 month year old baby and 7 year old son forbidden tremendously buy bed bugs I inform the apartment we\\\'re getting better and unable to stay in the apartment I\\\'ve barely stayed in this apartment 8 days upon moving in at this point we are unable to continue to stay in the apartment due to the infestation of the bed bugs. everything I brought into the apartment is brand new I have receipts a purchasing brand new furniture and beds I wash my clothes before bringing them into the apartment knowing the addendum that I sign about the bed bugs so I applied making sure that I 100% did not bring bed bugs into the apartments please help I have not stayed in the apartment for over 1 week and is unable to speak to anyone who is empathetic or ethical about the situation of me paying thousands of dollars and still dealing with unhelpful not understanding apartment Corporation they have robbed me and my children have a place to stay that I have provided them due to this very infested apartment of bed bugsI have pictures and videos on my children being bitten by bed bugs bed bugs crawling on my brand new furniture that I have receipts for and it\\\'s still paying for and the apartment Corporation has yet to do anything or contact me on behalf of the infestation prior to my move in
Electrical shortage never been repaired | Case#**-*781
Santa Maria,
California -
93454
When i moved into the house there was signs a on the central heating in the house that say do not turn on because their was a short. Well a few days ago i thought i heard a crackling sound unlike anything i have ever heard coming from one of several units as i was taking a shower. i had to stop immediately because i thought maybe the steam was causing the unit to spark or something. and the "shortage" signs are located all along the house. There is also rotting wood in the doorways as well as exposed pipes and beams in the walls.
Bed Bug Issue | Case#**-*505
EVERETT,
WA -
98204 1801
We moved into the apartments and bought all new furniture (including new mattress and box spring.) Started to get bites and irritated itchy skin. We suspected at first it was something else that was causing the problem. Found a mature bed bug crawling on shirt that I wore to bed. I took pictures and showed the front office at the apartments. They hired a pest control company called Sprague Pest Control. When they came to inspect for bed bugs they made Kristina leave the apartment and wait outside. According to the pest inspection no bed bugs were found. Two days later Kristina wakes up in the middle of the night to an immature bed bug feeding on her arm. We caught it in a Ziploc bag and showed it to Karen and the head of maintenance. They said that it was not a bed bug. To this day we cannot sleep properly and we are still getting bit.
Bed Bugs | Case#**-*655
Houston,
Texas -
77008
I have a reoccurrence of bed bugs (I am assuming for now they are bed bugs) in my apartment. I have informed the community management (yesterday, April 2, 2013, in person to Yvette and Delian Henao). This happened 6 months ago. After these unsuccessful visits to the doctor [each one requiring a 30 day copay and pharmacy copay], I returned to the apartment management and insisted an exterminator be sent to inspect. An exterminator confirmed bed bugs. Management said they would treat my son’s room alone, but I insisted on all the bedrooms being treated. I paid over $300 for this treatment and was assured it was a “heat treatment”. Over a 3 month period, I voiced concerns regarding the method of treatment being used and had the exterminator back 3 times. I am getting bites. I immediately notified community management, and was told I again will be responsible for extermination. I expressed my dissatisfaction with this and was told I “had signed a bed bug addendum”. I protested that this still is not appropriate and was told management would attempt to get me out of the lease.I have talked with neighbors and was informed by my downstairs neighbor, they found bat bugs. They took one they had caught to the office and office management immediately had extermination done and attempted to remove bats from our building. I want management to properly identify the bugs in my apartment. I want heat treatment done and management to cover the cost.
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.
