Rent Problems Are Frustrating; but you're not alone: Thousands of tenants rely on RPA to solve problems
Deposit Isn\\\\\\\'t Being Returned | Case#**-*292
Saint Peters,
Missouri -
63304
I received a text from Dean at 839pm 7/26 regarding that my rental status has changed and that I had lied to him. My girlfriend and I broke up that afternoon and I have have no idea what she told him. Dean never picked up his phone and told me I could no longer rent the condo which I was supposed to move into this weekend. He gave me another address that was being rented. He will it return the full $2200 which I paid him in money orders will my name on them. He told me I\\\\\\\'d only get $550 and that I needed to contact his lawyer from here on out. What ever she told him was completely false. I was set to move in this weekend and now I don\\\\\\\'t have a place to move into. The issue between my ex and I are just that. If he doesn\\\\\\\'t want to hear me out then fine but he has now right keeping the money I gave him for a pet deposit and security deposit. I never moved in.
Plumbing issues since July 2012 | Case#**-*341
greenville,
South Carolina -
29615
Since July 2012, My kitchen sink and bath tub has been backed up. I requested a repair from the apt complex the maintnence guy tried chemicals and snaking and told me it was a outside plumbing issue meaning a problem bigger than my immediate plumbing. Everyone in the apartments beside me has had chronic plumbing problems including backed up toilets and flooding. It is my belief that the management knows about the issue because they began making people have renters insurance up to 50k. This was not previously required. I have a small child and it is both unsanitary and insane that this problem has not been fixed.
Bed Bugs | Case#**-*434
College Station,
Texas -
77840
On 9/6/16 I awoke to find a bed bug crawling on my pillow. I immediately took a photo of the bug and then killed it. I immediately took of a corner of my bed sheets to investigate my bed for more and I didn\'t see them. The front office wasn\'t open at the time so I called them around 5 minutes after they opened and informed them of the bed bug found. The said they would contact their exterminator. I received a phone call about 5 min. later telling me that I needed to call the exterminator myself to tell him about my case, that of which I did. He told me to send him the picture and once I did that he confirmed it was a bed bug. He then said he would come to the apartment to assess. I came home to find only 2 other corners of my sheets pulled up which didn\'t seem very thorough to me. He left a note telling me instructions and I called to clarify them. The exterminator also expressed to me that after he sprayed everything, then if there are any remaining bed bugs they would die. The exterminator said he would come out on 9/9/16 in the afternoon. The apartment complex said that they would replace my mattress and bed post with brand new ones, but they are not doing so until 9/12/16 which is 3 days after the exterminator sprayed the apartment.
Threating Comments/ Breach Of Agreement | Case#**-*208 I was sleeping on the couch, and manager (Peggy Nations) woke me up trying to break into my house, I then opened the door to a barrage of insults and threats that I will be locked out and forcibly remove from my house, I tried to reason with her that there was some form of miscommunication or some oversight, but she wouldn't let me get a word in edgewise, I then called the owner, and he substantiated what Peggy Nations said (without the use of profanity, unlike Peggy), and before he hung up, he said you go ahead and do what you want to do and I'll take care of my end of it.
Bed Bug Problems And Privacy Violation | Case#**-*817 Landlord is unlawfully charging us for bedbug extermination despite not having legally obligated objective proof that we brought them in. Exterminator has also told us that he hasn't been in for months despite being told by the manager that he is to come once per month, existing roach problem has worsened. We have also had contractors/maintenance regularly enter our apartment without any previous warning, notification, or even knocking, and once while my wife was changing.
Repair Issues, Health Hazards, Safety Violations | Case#**-*727
Jacksonville,
Florida -
32207
I have notified management both verbally and in writing several times.
I am emailed work order completions, though the work is not even attempted.
Violations
Health Hazards:
-Mold, along with horrible mildew smell in kitchen.
-Rotting cabinet wood and floor boards beneath cabinets due to leak reported 5 months ago.
-Mold along edge of bathtub from moisture & dirty air vents.
-Leaking, paint peeling, dust & debris from hood over the stove, dirty rusty water will drip into cooking food if not careful.
-Filthy vents blow huge amounts of visible debris (1/5 of a cottonball in size).
Entire family has cold symptoms often due to the dirty vents, mildew and mold.
-My extermination request are ignored but my neighbors get exterminated weekly.
Every Tuesday night, roaches of all sizes enter my home. In 6 months only exterminated once.
Safety Hazards:
Front door frame is broken.
Hole in the front door above the lock, objects up to an inch can be pushed right through.
Clearly someone burglarized this apartment before.
Anyone can push a screwdriver or hanger through the hole adjacent to my only lock and open my front door.
I cannot open my balcony door which has steps to exit, only 1 way out for me.
Ceiling fan is loose shakes violently on the 2nd or 3rd setting.
Noise Hazard:
The air conditioner is deafingly loud, causes headaches and probably incredibly dirty.
Walls and the closet doors vibrate when neighbors turn their a/c on.
Power surges happen often and one outlet was all brown (it was changed)
but my 60 inch tv is stuck in standby now, no picture, no sound.
I used scent plug-ins which are supposed to last 30 days and the oil was gone in 4-5 days.
Important repairs:
Rotting and corroded sink, pipes are leaking in several spots.
Refridgerator and freezer work intermittedly. My ice cubes melt at least once daily.
Entire shelf fell down in my closet weeks ago, so I have no where to hang my clothes.
I had to take all my clothes off the hangers and pack them. Living out of bags isn't nice.
Bathroom vents blow out hot air and are filthy, full of dirt.
They never complete the repairs but they email me completed work orders.
I have the same work orders emailed to me as complete every few weeks, even though none of the work is ever done.
lease diaagreement | Case#**-*253
fort worth,
Texas -
76112
the owner is aware of this and it was there mistake they are now trying to make us vacate from the apt but it was there fault and also we did play about 300 on dec and nov and they told us we did not do that is there any way you can help us in this matter.
Repair Issue | Case#**-*354
Houston,
Texas -
77099
I've asked many times the leasing office that ever since the renovation the material they have used is cheaper and unsafe even the walls are so thin and somehow every time my neighbour is cooking somethign i can smell their food next door like there is an air passage in the middle they forgot to cover or what not they have come out once and said that they forgot to add insolation or what not. i'm not familiar with how these things work and not sure what the problem is but they have turned a deaf ear and do not care or do anything about the problem.
Residence are given favours in parking alotment. My wife has to carry our 11 months old daughter to the farthest point of the parking lot from the building that is already too far. There have been numerouse times when i had get a hotel room after the renovation because they moved us to the apartment where AC didn't work or blew hot air keeping the temp at home over 90. I think if this place is inspected by city it may not pass the minimum safety guidelines.
Bed Bugs In Only One Corner Of My Bedroom | Case#**-*598 I realized on July 25 that there were bed bugs in one corner of my apartment. I immediately got rid of the bed ($1800 bed) and cleared out the bedroom. I bought bed bug spray, caulk, and caulked the corner of the room where they were centrally located. I continued to treat and stayed out of that room for 1.5 weeks. The bed bugs are no where but in that corner. Once I thought I would be okay I put my other queen matress in the bedroom and kept it away from the wall just in case. It has been over a week and I still have no bed bugs on the current mattress, they are not in any other location, however this morning I found 2 live ones in that area and sprayed them. I then had maintenance come look and showed him what I have explained here. He checked in other places and saw they are only in that one area. I then called Krista and she told me I needed to get an exterminator out here because they are not responsible for pest control. I make minimum wage, live in income based apartment, I can't afford an exterminator, I barely make my rent and bills. I remember seeing this site and came here for help.
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.
