tenants have rights, solving security deposit problems is your right...
Every day, tenants like you, turn to the RPA to quickly get deposits refunded & unfair charges dropped.Filing a Complaint with the RPA is the fastest and most effective way to get your deposit refunded and unfair deductions dropped. - even attorneys rely on the RPA to help solve dispute problems for their clients. As a tenant you have rights to fight for your every penny of your deposit. Yes, the RPA fight to get your deposit back.
What Security Deposit Problems Can the RPA solve?
Did you know... the RPA accepts all deposit complaints, but these are the most common complaints resolved by our organization:
Security Deposit Refunds
Getting your security deposit back promptly.
Charges to Security Deposit
Unfair, False, Unreasonable, or other types of deductions
TIP: On the complaint form you can request that your landlord reimburse you for the $35 complaint filing fee. (that's the only required fee to file a complaint)
Rent Problems Are Frustrating; but you're not alone: Thousands of tenants rely on RPA to solve problems
bed bugs | Case#**-*903
silver spring,
Maryland -
20904
painters painted at 1/16/12 noticed bug 1/19/12. Reported what sem to be bed bug on 1/20/12. Exterminator confirmed bed bugs on 1/25/12. Rental office failed to set treatment date, called rental office on 1/31/12. They set date for 2/3/12, but sent exterminator to wrong apartment. Set new date for 2/8/12, but now apartment is not liveable.
Repair | Case#**-*356
TULSA,
OK -
74137 1589
The picture the apartment sent me some is my apartment and some not my apartment and they are changing me $327.00
Continuous Break-Ins | Case#**-*601
Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania -
19131
In the past six months (April-October) my apartment has been broken into twice. A 40 inch flat screen tv, 2 laptops, and jewelry were stolen in the April break in. After bringing this matter to the Landlords attention they tried to acuse me of being at fault. and stated they do not deal with security issues. The owner then told me to leave his office and walked away. Police reports were filed and detectives investigated the apartment stating there was no forced entry and that they receive reports on this property often for break ins usually at the hands of maintenance workers. I requested that the Landlord break my lease and allow me to leave the property as the owner rudely told me that there were no cameras in the building and that he would not be willing to accomodate me. He even refused to give me his business card or contact information. I was then told that if I break my lease I would have to pay 3 months up front. So, after being forced to stay I requested that they change my locks and possibly move me to a different apartment. The property manager (Susan) scheduled to meet me at another one of their properties and upon arriving she stated she would be back in 15 minutes, never coming back. My locks were not changed and I had been living in the same unsafe conditions from April until current October in which my apartment was then burglarized again. Management assumes no responsiblity and has not done anything to rectify the situation. Infact Susan specifically stated "I dont know what to tell you". Several other burglaries have happened on this property and no improvements are being enforced to secure the building. Susan has not returned several of my calls and I feel Management is poor in its efforts provide a safe environment. My car was also broken into parked in front of the apartment building only 5 days after my apartment was burglarized. I can not enter my apartment with peace of mind nor do I feel safe on their premises.
Shady landlord in Atlanta-Renter Beware! | Case#**-*134
Atlanta,
Georgia -
30324
I rented a condo from the owner, Christopher Heber, and was sent a letter that Christopher Heber failed to complete his due diligence and read the rules and regulations for the HOA and apply for a permit to rent his condo in The Richmond in Atlanta, GA.
The HOA gave me 10 days to find a new place to live. Christopher Heber refused to give me my deposit back and refused to compensate for any of my moving expenses.
I had to take Christopher Heber to small claims court and when I won, he STILL wouldn't pay me.
Christopher Heber is the worst landlord and I highly suggest to STAY AWAY from this scam artist!
Harassment Over Noise Due to Floor | Case#**-*677
Webster,
New York -
14580
I have received multiple notices from management about noise complaints and running in my apartment that come from the neighbor who lives below. This neighbor has repeatedly harassed both the adults and child living in my household through yelling out of her window and the use of profane language that has been specifically directed at the three year old child. The floors in this apartment are extremely thin and everyone who lives here tiptoes (this includes the three year old) around all day and even leaves the home so that they can feel normal. If the three year old forgets that she is a child and actually moves to, say go to the bathroom, the neighbor slams the ceiling with a broom. We live in terror of irritating her as she is consistently confrontational and ruthlessly rude and vindictive. She has even confronted guests and has gone above and beyond to make up complaints about things that do not happen. We cannot even live normal lives because of her and we are not the first people to live above her that she has done this to. Therefore the only thing that I could think could be causing this is the fact that even a cup with water set on the floor creates creaking and the fact that there are soft spots so great in the floor that my wife has tripped several times on the board in front of the one that is sagging. Specifically near the bedroom.
Getting our Security Deposit Back | Case#**-*829
Lake Placid,
New York -
12946
Richard Whitney stated that we will only get a portion of our security deposit back in a phone conversation on 9/9/10 after we moved out on 9/1/10. He claims the apartment was not "clean enough up to his standards". The apartment was spotless and cleaned by 3 people on September 1st and in the weeks leading up to the 1st. There was no damage in the apartment at all and every appliance etc. was in perfect working condition. Each room in the apartment was thoroughly cleaned (rugs, windows, baseboard heaters, toilet, shower, sinks, drawers, walls etc). He also stated that he would be taking money out of our security deposit for past late rent payments when the lease clearly stated that if the rent was late we would be charged a $50.00 late fee. We were never notified of a late rent payment throughout the two years nor were we ever charged a $50.00 late fee in any month that we lived at the residence. The lease never stated that he could go retroactive and take late rent payments after we moved out. We have no outstanding balance with Richard and Kelley for the residence. Richard could not give me a monetary figure on the phone on 9/9/10 and told me he spent "3 hours cleaning the carpets" and that was how we would calculate our security deposit. He also told me he would be going through with his wife, Kelley to see how many times our rent was late. Lanear and I were very good, respectful tenants and we took great care of the residence. We feel as though these actions are illegal and he has no reason to withhold our money as nothing was damaged and the apartment was in great condition. We are looking for some type of resolution on this matter.
Noise Compliant | Case#**-*411
BOTHELL,
WA -
98021 8968
I was notified about a compliant of loud noise coming from my apartment about 2 months ago. I explain that I do not own a TV or radio. I was inform to keep noise down between the hours of 10pm-8am. I work 9am-11:30pm most nights. I explained that I would do my best to be as quiet as possible. I have now received a letter complaining about heavy foot steps and running on varies time at night between 10pm-2am. I have done my best to be quite and never have I ran in the apartment. I am beginning to feel like I am living in a prison.
A/C not working serveral times now and my 6 week infant getting dehydrated | Case#**-*540
Herndon,
Virginia -
20171
Serveral complaints on air conditioning not working but no proper response from apartment management.
In past two occasion , management was not able to provide premenant solution and importantly my 6 week infant at home was getting dehydrated due to high temperatures outside.
I would suggest to pull up all the call records and voice messages left in apartment emergency line. I my also get the medical records from doctor office on my child problem due to dehyration.
Harassment/retaliation | Case#**-*611
San Diego ,
California -
92113
Since February 25th on and off Gicel Ana Abraham and her boyfriend Tony Valdez have harassed me and Valdez has threaten illegal evictions. On the 1st Abraham texted me to clean my bathroom at 1am demanding that I clean the bathroom after I had been asleep for two hours. After saying no she gave me a thirty day eviction notice. She then illegally unlocked my door and entered my room at 1:15am in the morning. Valdez (not the “landlord”) struck me multiple times, causing blood to draw on my thumb and they forced me to clean the bathrooms and my room. Valdez forced me to pay my rent early as well. Valdez tried to force me to move into a smaller movement for the reminder of my stay on the 13th and threatened me with illegal evictions. Valdez on the 15th threatened to kill me after falsely accusing me on smoking weed in the bathroom. Abraham on the 15th constantly texted me for money for blinds when on the 11th, Valdez took $20 from me saying that he would give Abraham that to take of it. Abraham threatened a repeat of the same behavior that took place on the 1st. Valdez has threaded character inflammation against me several times.
Breach Of Agreement,violation Of Civil Rights And Privacy | Case#**-*233
FALLBROOK,
CA -
92028 4040
Breach of agreed contract that was added to my lease violation of civil rights and privacy unfair treatment and denied of privileges verbal abuse
Deposit Dispute 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 Me Get My Deposit Back?
As a tenant you have the right to get every penny of your deposit back. When you file a complaint through the Rental Protection Agency this starts a formal dispute resolution process in which the RPA will do everything in our power to see that your landlord promptly resolves your complaint. Landlords know that if they fail to cooperate with the RPA it can result in a negative public record that can make it hard for them to fill vacancies in the future.
Why is there a Filing Fee of $35
The $35 filing fee is the only required fee to process a complaint. The fee is required to help offset the cost of representing your complaint. The RPA complaint center is designed as a low cost legal solution for tenants and in most cases is more affordable than other legal options. Many tenants will compare the cost of filing a complaint to the cost of not filing a complaint. If you file a complaint and the problem is resolved will the solution be worth the cost of filing the complaint?
TIP: Don't forget, on the complaint form you can request that your landlord reimburse you for filing fee.
Most tenants file a complaint with the RPA to solve the problem such as getting a deposit refunded, or to get an unfair charge or deduction removed. However, some tenants file a complaint to report the landlord publicly as a warning to other tenants. When a complaint is filed against a landlord it will show up on their public record which is indexed by all major search engines. Filing a complaint is one way for tenants to stand up against bad landlords to warn future tenants about deposit problems they've had.
Does the RPA Guarantee to Solve My Deposit Refund Complaint?
We do guarantee to do everything in our power to solve each complaint that is filed. However, there are some situations where bad landlords fail to cooperate. The RPA can't force a landlord to comply if they refuse; but we can impact their public record which can make it difficult for them to find new tenants. We guarantee to represent the complaint and to create a public record against landlords that fail to resolve complaints.
Will My Name Show up Publicly?
No. After the complaint is closed and made public; your information (tenant name) is removed. During the complaint process your complaint can only be accessed through your case number and pin number. Both the landlord and tenant are assigned a pin number that is unique. The RPA protects tenant's privacy by blocking your name from the public record database. However, the record does show the landlord name.
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.
All 50 States have regulations that protect security deposits. In most cases the landlord is required to provide a refund within 30 days and must provide proof cost associated with charges or deductions against your deposit. Many states require the landlord to furnish copies of receipts for work completed. If you have a deposit refund dispute or feel your landlord is being unfair with your security deposit; you have rights. Filing a complaint is one of those rights.
