Rent Problems Are Frustrating; but you're not alone: Thousands of tenants rely on RPA to solve problems
refusal to take care of rat and roach infestation | Case#**-*106 We had been ran over with rats and roaches we had told the landlords that we had the problem and we were assured that the problem would be taken care of and someone would be sent out to take care of the issue but instead behind our backs they had went and got an unlawful detainer we were forced out of the house in just a couple of days having to leave almost all of our belongings behind and living from motel room to motel room with two small children 11 and 5 years old. We couldnt even come out of our rooms at night because the rats were so bad. They had destroyed our property.
Deposit Problems | Case#**-*732
Mableton,
Georgia -
30126
I was looking for temporary housing and was assured this place had no lease and I could leave anytime. It was not ready to rent yet and I have pictures to prove it was still being worked on. Landlord said it would be ready by May. We never set a move in date but I said sometime in May. I sent a deposit but not the first month\'s rent to show I was serious and said I would contact her again later in April to see if the place was going to be ready. Meanwhile my situation changed and I called her immediately and said I would not be taking the place. I called her April 16th, well before May. She is refusing to return my deposit.
Pesty Triplex | Case#**-*796
Anchorage,
Alaska -
99504
We bought the triplex from Wesley Nakamoto who failed to disclose with my husband and I of the cockroaches, mice, and bed bug problems. Wesley duct taped inside the living space closet and pantry gaps and painted over them I believe to cover up the cockroaches. When we began to remodel and fix the 4 bed/2 bath unit, we started finding issues in the unit. The carpet was very stinky, mice holes behind the oven and refrigerator, paint job very sloppy and cheap paint used, and cockroach - whole lot of poop behind some things. He told my husband and I not to tell the tenants we were buying the triplex, now we understand why. When we bought it, we went and introduced ourselves to the tenants as the new owners. They had a lot of complaints about how Wes ignored their calls and texts to get things fixed and to take care of the cockroaches, mice problems, and bed bugs. He is a crooked man. I did a lot of homework on him to see what kind of man he was after we discovered issues. His name has been shared in several places by us so he does not mistreat people as he has done many people including us. He does not deserve to own rental properties unless he changes.
Office Not Taking Care Of My Roof Before Storm | Case#**-*856
Houston ,
Texas -
77091
Apartment failed to provide adequate protection for my apartment before the storm, they have no way of contacting anyone during the weekends, and there is one Matinence man who does not speak English and does not respond. I made several attempts to contact and when I finally got to speak to someone that Monday morning... they didnt not care. Threw a tarp on the roof and water is still coming through and now leaking on my belongings. As I’m writing. I don’t feel my apartment complex is doing their part as owners, and the language barrier is the cherry on top.
Repair Issue | Case#**-*244 I have had my heat break 6 times in the past 2-3 weeks. It continually runs causing the heat in my apartment to reach 85-90 degrees inside. It won't cut off when I have it set at all times for 69 degrees and when i flip the switch to off it still runs. I have called maintence each time and all they do is take the box off the wall and say there is nothing wrong. Obviously there is something wrong if it keeps doing this. It is not safe for me or my pet. The management is doing nothing to resolve the issue.
Repair Issues | Case#**-*650
Hubert,
North Carolina -
28539
A/C keeps freezing up, have had 2 different technicians out a total of 5 times since May 23, 2021. Issue still has not been fixed. Also, kitchen sink drain has been leaking over a year and landlord was notified when first noticed (mold). Main bathroom shower fixture does not allow hot water, was attempted to be fixed but didn’t fix over a year now. Damage to ceiling from hurricane Florence September 2018. Have been threatened with eviction and harassed multiple times when I make a complaint. Mice in attic, can hear them scratching on drywall. No CO2 detectors in any of the unit on property.
BED BUGS | Case#**-*449 This is an official notice to inform you, Blue Ocean Realty/Milford Mil Station Apartments that I Brandon D. Pumphrey is officially giving 30 day notice of the problems of your bed bug infestation issues. Despite your efforts from the pest control office, the bed bug problems have gotten much worst. I have left messages, notices with the property manger and yet the problems still has not been fixed. Since the initial notice of bed bug being in the building from another unit, my family has done everything we can personally to ensure we are able to get rid of these pest including; throwing away furniture, bedding, clothing, personal items because these pest are crawling all over the place. I notified there was a bed bug infestation back in the summer and you all gave me instructions on how to prepare the apartment and scheduled and exterminator. I washed all of our clothes, bedding, rugs, towels and everything that could be washed; packed everything in sealed tote boxes and placed them all outside on the patio. The mattress and box springs on the bed were both replaced and we went and bought sealed plastic covers, so bugs could not penetrate through to the mattress - although there were bugs found in between the mattress and box spring.
The exterminator came in and sprayed, overturning the couch and mattress. I even left a seal container for the exterminator and my eldest home from school to ensure someone would come this time after numerous calls to your office and complaints because my wife suffers from an immune disease and her body has numerous marks from the bites, where she has scratched and drug her nails over the bites causing sores. The exterminator did not come back to re-inspect or say they needed to. Three days later, there were more bed bugs. I have tried to call and walk to office on site, but due to your “new hours” it is almost impossible to catch anyone there. I leave messages and it is rare anyone returns my calls. We have children in the home and this is a health hazard and when the first apartment complained of the problem, you all should have protected the other units and sprayed as well. Thanksgiving day, we were hosting a dinner and our guests were leaving with bites on their arms and small children leaving with bites as well. This was not only embarrassing but humiliating when we moved the sofa and took out the cushions only to see a host of bedbugs crawling down into the cracks of the sofa. Eggs, little tiny bedbugs which are not always visible to the eye were hiding under the arms in the cracks!
My wife works at a health clinic for the military and because she had visible marks, the employer sent her home until someone was able to see her, threat of the fact that she may have brought them to work in her clothing and these pest falling off or getting on other people clothing in the facility. I suspect the infestation has come from other units, and the walls are probably full of the infestation.
This is a serious problem and your management company needs to NOT continue to take this lightly. Apparently since it is not them, this is not an issue. I cannot afford to have my wife to fall more ill than she already is and have my son in an unhealthy place to live. We are suppose to enjoy the comforts of our own home, enjoy the property, the unit and feel safe and know that if there are concerns and issue, we know someone will handle it. Unfortunately that is not the case whatsoever.
Let it be known that the Maryland Department of Health has been given notification as well.
Harassing Contact, Inappropriate Damage Claims | Case#**-*318
Santa Fe,
New Mexico -
87505
My wife and I ended our lease with Stefanie Beninato because we felt harassed by her invasive contact and unreasonable demands. In particular we objected to her demands for uncompensated yard-work. Now she claims weve damaged things that we didnt damage and is intent on charge us. She even claims we broke the electric hot plate that serves as the stove for the unit.
We had an agreement with Ms. Beninato that we would do yard-work in exchange for access to her washing machine, which she kept in the locked garage. We chose to end the agreement because of her rude and intrusive micromanaging (e.g. monitoring the yard almost daily, frequently initiating comments, questions, and emails regarding minor details of the yard-work, insisting that she hold the key to the garage and open it for a limited number of hours at a time convenient to her during which we could do laundry). At this point We also asked for space and privacy Ms. Beninato was on the property about once a day, often twice. After our request for privacy, she declared that shed be entering (our) apartment for an inspection. Given our recent nullification of the yard-work agreement and request for privacy, this felt particularly harassing and provocative.
She had already entered our space 4 times regarding the installation of a showerhead that she insisted on changing out, although it worked adequately. I helped her with attempted installations of a showerhead. The process was complicated by my initial objection that the showerhead was to low (spray at 5) compared to the old one that worked just fine.
It was after our relationship had soured that Ms. Beninato requested we pick up trash in the yard once a week if any had blown into the yard. We told her that this was inappropriate. She later added a claim that it was our trash. This was strange because a big pile of her construction trash remained outside the front door of our unit for as long as we lived there. She also asked that we pick up the apricots that had fallen from her and the neighbors trees and accused us of creating an ant-pile because of the rotting fruit. Again, we felt harassed and displaced from the space we were renting so we chose to leave with just two months left on our six-month lease. We gave the requested 30 days notice.
Stefanie is an attorney/mediator and has been involved in over 30 personal lawsuits according to an article in the local paper. We became concerned she was going to lay claim to our deposit or even sue us, so we began to document the apartment as we prepared to move out. She runs a mediation business legal interaction is her work and, it appeared to us, her hobby as well.
The lease document leverages her legal expertise, stating she reserves the right to make changes to the rules and regulations of the lease. We are uncertain if this itself is even legal/Is this legal? If she asks tenants, progressively over the course of their stay, to do tasks around the yard that are not mentioned in the lease, do they have to do them? There are sections of the lease that note that the lease agreement goes against normal state law? Is this legal? We found the lease to be totally unclear on other essential items such as cleaning expectations, ramifications for ending a lease early or even the specific dollar amount of the rent.
Ms. Beninato did not provide us with a checklist for itemizing dirt and damages when we moved in, and in our trusting navet, we did not create our own. However, the property was built in the 1930s and therefore has many small damages (e.g. chipped and cracked walls, unpainted patches on the walls, a damaged screen door, separating floorboards in the kitchen, a blackened fireplace) and worn out hardwood floors. We became concerned she would claim we damaged these things. Now shes saying we scratched the worn-out floor. We photo documented everything upon moving out and there are no big scratches on the floor beyond the wear-and-tear that existed when we moved in. We placed plastic beneath heavy furniture, as she requested, and we only lived there four months. The floor is so worn out, however, that the framing joists show through the sagging hardwood at intervals of 16 inches. These may be the scratches shes talking about. I requested to see pictures of the alleged scratches and she responded that she will produce the pictures when legally necessary. We dont know what to do to protect ourselves Ms. Beninato is claiming damages for which we are not responsible and she loves to litigate!
In addition to the floor, Ms. Beninato claims we broke the mailbox that would fall off the wall intermittently. Note: Its also strange that she has tenants leave their rent and utility checks in the mailbox for her to collect.
Ms. Beninato also claims we broke the electric hotplate that serves as the units only stove, when in truth, it just stopped working. We informed Ms. Beninato of this when it occurred, but she did not respond with a new hotplate. At this point in our relationship with Stefanie it felt better to not have a stove than to make additional contact with her to obtain a new hotplate. We relied on our microwave for several weeks prior to moving out and now she wants to charge us for the hotplate!
Ms. Beninato voiced an expectation that we wash the outside of her windows as we were moving out and demanded to be emailed a picture of the ladder wed be using. The lease makes no mention of cleaning the outside of the windows. This is not normally a task included in the tenants responsibilities. She also demanded photos of the ladder and vacuum with which we would clean the ceiling and walls. We sent a picture of the vacuum and ladder. She then wanted a picture of the attachment that goes on the vacuum! We sent her a picture of the attachment despite once again feeling harassed and micromanaged. We did indeed clean the ceiling as per the lease but refused Ms. Beninatos inappropriate request that we supply a ladder and clean the outside of her windows.
The one damage that occurred while we lived there were scratches to the styrofoam insulation board that Ms. Beninato has separating the house into two rental units and serving as ineffective soundproofing. We are sorry for this and expect to be charged. I thought about replacing the board myself from Home Depot. These types of silver-backed Styrofoam board cost around $15.
We left the place particularly clean (and photographed it) hoping that Ms. Beninato would give us our deposit back. Its much cleaner than it was when we moved in but she is claiming that its dirty. We feel that it is unorthodox, unprofessional and actually predatory that Ms. Beninato does not provide a damages-checklist and that she uses her legal knowledge to inappropriately lord power over her tenants. The former tenants complaint on the Rental Protection Agency website illustrates a similar situation and abuse of power. The other tenant living in the house at the same time we lived in the house left without notice in the midst of an argument with Ms. Beninato regarding a phone cable.
We request our deposit returned in full, with the exception of a reasonable charge in Ms. Beninato chooses to replace the scratched Styrofoam board.
We hope that this complaint helps other would-be tenants to avoid the experience that we have had.
Retaliation | Case#**-*808
TULSA,
OK -
74112 7404
I have retained a lawyer in this matter and I am going to fight this no matter how long it takes. I refuse to be evicted due to sub-par maintenance work and felony maintenance workers. I\'m not going to back down or apologize for complaining about the horrible maintenance issues or providing information to other tenants to try to resolve their issues. I have paid my rent every month and I am not going to move from my home over having the gall to stand up for myself as well as the numerous other tenants who have complained about who we have working here.
I have sent a letter to the management company regarding these issues. I gave the manager on-site, Traci Hendricks, another letter to inform her that I did send out a letter to the management company. I was threatened with eviction prior to that because of my \"anger\". (direct quote from one of the maintenance workers). I do not acknowledge or respond to threats in a positive way, especially from someone who is getting their paycheck because of me paying my rent. I did a background check on both of the maintenance workers and found out one has numerous felony convictions relating to stealing and lying. This, of course, is concerning to myself and other tenants. We do not want someone with that kind of past going in and out of our apartments. The other maintenance worker had been evicted from this very same property twice for non-payment of rent. So I\'m unsure how he went from evicted to working for this company and \"making repairs\".
These apartments have been under investigation from the health department due to the horrible conditions these apartments are in. Maintenance will take a work order and then state they do not have the parts to complete the order and will have to order them. I made a complaint about my bathroom faucets leaking back in November. Work has not been done on it. Another neighbor of mine has a way worse leak in his bathroom. Nothing has been done AND he came up with missing property after Mr. Maintenance Felony had been in there. Other issues with these apartments include black mold, bed bugs, roaches, mice, our water getting turned off without notice, laundry rooms in disarray, trash all over the complex, unfinished work orders and electrical fires breaking out randomly in the apartments.
So because I have the nerve to complain, I was given an eviction notice. Again, I am not moving and my lawyer and I will be fighting it.
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.
