Rent Problems Are Frustrating; but you're not alone: Thousands of tenants rely on RPA to solve problems
Repair Issues Not Being Addressed. Some Issues Are As Far Back As 4 Years. | Case#**-*865
CONCORD,
CA -
94521 1435
The building has never been maintained or items repaired in a timely manner. The recent repairs were to items conveyed over 4 years ago. A list was provided in May with all the issues and only 4 have been completed. One is a safety issue and still not addressed the other is the installation of a swamp cooler the landlord stated he will replace back in May 2017.
Lease Terminated By Landlord after we complained of Mold in Basement. | Case#**-*121 On Nov 26th, 2010 we emailed Mr Hillman in reference to our concern of mold buildup in our basement. Mr. Hillman responded back to us by email stating we will be home in a couple of days to solve this problem. Mr. Hillman arrived on 30 Nov, 2010, and immediately confronted me in the back yard. Mr Hillman informed me he was terminating my lease. When I asked why he was terminating the lease, he stated to me that the email from us he felt was threatening in nature, and he was afraid of getting sued. When I tried to explain the email I sent Mr Hillman would not listen to what I had to say. At this point Mr Hillman stated to my wife and I that we were quote "BAD" tenants and he had enough. Mr Hillman also told us he was not making any money off this property, and he wanted us out so he could clean up the place and start all over again.
early move | Case#**-*564
san antonio,
Texas -
78216
my contract expires on may 31,2013 and the office tells me that abalance of $4906.90 will be placed on my credit record, but in the contract says that only I pay $606.90 for early move
Safety And Health Hazard Issue | Case#**-*932
PACHECO,
CA -
94553 6313
The landlord is so rude to me. The room was so dirty with molds, dust, dirty walls, windows, unshampooed carpet. she even made clean her feces on the carpet. I have already informed that the carbon monoxide detector is blinking every night. She made a false statement that I invaded her privacy of her room. I only went there once
and gave her two nice earing from GUESS. Honestly, I can not say long inside her room because she poops and eats at the sametime while she is watching TV. It\'s very unhealthy to see and smells odorous. I even see her invading the room of Jeff, his tenant sitting the his bed every week (2x, 3x, or more).
Won\'t Make Rapairs | Case#**-*938
FLAT ROCK,
IN -
47234 9785
I asked for landlord to make repaires. She refuaes due to money issues. I with held rent, and now she is kicking me out.
Eviction Without Written Notice And Unethical Demeanor | Case#**-*470 Mr. Guzman along with Ms. Rosa scheduled a meeting with my mother, Maria M. Melgar, at 07:30 on Wednesday, January 7, 2015. Purpose: to discuss the accusation of a female neighbor by the name of Marina from apt. 3. Marina accused Maria of throwing things around the apartment's doors, hallways, and sprinkling bleach over her car's fender while Maria was picking up some recyclables in the trash cans in the rear alley on her way to the local grocery store on Sunday, January 4, 2015 around 20:30. Marina called the apartment security guard along with an L.A. Police officer, but no police report was completed even though Maria provided them with her identification card.
During the meeting, Mr. Guzman and Ms. Rosa subordinated, bullied, coerced, and threatened my mother, Maria, with false statements. Since my mother has no formal general education, they told her that she could go to jail for that, she could no longer live here, Jimmie coerced her to give him a date to vacate which she did not provide because of lack of financial resources and she is permanently disabled, she and her adult children must vacate her apartment by 1/30/15 but because Jimmie is such a good man he allowed us until 2/15/15 and cannot go pass this date, that there's nothing else he could do, everything is done, and she must move out, they had to follow their boss's directions or they would lose their jobs and that was not "suitable" for them; if she were to refuse to vacate he could destroy her credit history, rent history and ability to rent another apartment, driving record, as well as those of her two adult children including their school records; and that if she moves out by 2/15/15 he would not charge her rent or deposit for the remaining days of February. When Maria requested to speak with his boss, he told her that she cannot speak with them, and that it was a serious crime she had committed. My mother felt humiliated and returned home terrorized early in the morning with tears in her eyes....
Everything was verbal; there is no written eviction notice. This is very unethical and unprofessional of property personnel.
Bed Bugs, HVAC repair issue, breach of agreement, threats, false allegation | Case#**-*270
Florence,
South Carolina -
29505
The home was rented Feb. 2012, first and last month's (deposit) paid. Begining in March and continuing to present I noticed that my three sons, 13 yrs, 8 yrs, and 19 months, were waking up with many bug bites (42 was counted on the toddler on one particular morning, and the 8 yr has scaring all over his legs). Unaware of bedbugs we treated for ants, fleas, and spiders even though the lease states that pest infestations were the landlord's responsbility, but the bites continued. After conferring with a doctor who suggested the bites may be from bedbugs we found a bug on our bed. We captured it and called an exterminator to come and check out the house. They confirmed that the bug was a bedbug, gave us an estimate of extermination in writing that was forward to the landlord on August 9, 2012. It said that bedcoverings were mandatory, which we paid for out of our own pockets without requesting reimbursement (over $600), the initial treatment 800.00 plus 125.00 per month for the following 4 mos. Toddler is screaming in the night when bitten, the landlord refused to treat the home. In addition, the toilets "mold" overnight. After scrubbing at night, there is a black ring around the water line of the toilet that has a horrendous smell by morning. No amount of cleaning is helping. Within the first week of moving into the house the main pipes backed up into the home from flushing FLUSHABLE wipes and we were sent the bill from the landlord saying we caused it. A family of possums took residence under the house and entered the home which the landlord was also unresponsive to, tell us that we need to keep our pet's food off the porch and they won't come in. Due to the financial burden of the placing the bed coverings on all beds in August, we fell behind by 9 days for septembers rent. The landlord preceed to imply we were decieitful liars, vandals and theives in emails that followed, also indicating she will be asking us to vacate because we were in violation of our lease (paying late). We decided to comply with her suggestion and told her we will be out by end of the month Oct. 1st. Our security dep can be used to pay for September's rent, she possess $1100 deposit and we would like to leave with no further obligation to this home. The last email sent yesterday the landlord claims we vandalized her home by taking down wallpaper and painting without her permission and is going to court for eviction and damages. She gave prior permission in email to make the change
repair issues that have resulted in harm of my child. | Case#**-*583
HAWTHORNE,
CA -
90250 8194
I have went back and forth with my on-site manager and wrote slips for repairs with him and at DMM office and I have seen my manager fax repair slips for my carpet, and bed bugs, they ( DMM ) sent a guy to do treatment for the bed bugs but he told me in front of my on site manager, next door neighbor and wife that in order for the treatment to be effective the carpet needed to be pulled up and replaced before the last treatment in 7-10 days, because the bed bugs where coming from under the carpet. My mattresses have always been covered and are fairly new and the carpet needed to be badly repaired anyway because there is sharp edges that stick up in alot of areas of the carpet and its really bad by the restrooms, as a result of several months of pleading with them, my 3 yr. old daughters sock got caught on the damaged part of carpet by the restroom door and she fail and hit her head on the edge of the wall and had to get stitches. My father in law, wife and neighbor was here when it happened and my on- site manager was notified when me and my wife returned from the hospital with our baby, On top of that the bed bug issue is getting worse because they haven't complete the bed bug treatment. The security gates are broken so all tenants cars are at risk of being broken into and some have been, i have outlets in my unit that don't work, there are pluming issue and termite problem in and outside all units. We ( the tenants ) have started a petition and will also be contacting the state to help us as well, im tired of paying almost $1200/month but my rights to a safe apartment is not in affect. I'm tired of talking, this problem will not solve itself and im not the only tenant with these complaints im just not going to let it go now that my baby has been injured because it could have been avoided. Maybe this will help them understand how bad this is effecting their tenants. i will provide pictures on behalf of everything im saying. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE.
Response To Complaints | Case#**-*821
JACKSONVILLE,
FL -
32223 6656
Complaints of noise from 10 pm & 7 am unfounded
We are a family with small children an are getting ready for bed or asleep at theses hours we are not party people we are a family and our noise is normal family living. My children are normal kids that need to play outside. An I feel I\'ve hindered there ability to live a normal childhood.
I feel our life is being impeded on an harrassed .I\'m having to leave my work due to false allegations about someone being in my home. We feel we are living on eggshells in our home our home is supposed to be aplace of peace. It\'s very stressful an not peaceful since we moved to Oasis. we obey the rules of the community an wish nothing more to live peacefully an conduct peace. We don\'t have the funds to move we just moved here 4 months ago.
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.