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
Defamation/Harrasment False Lawsuit Theft | Case#**-*674
DORCHESTER,
MA -
02124 1141
My landlord delayed the processing of our Recertification creating a False balance of $24,000.00. My credit of over 7000.00 was erased and removed by a false judgement after their lawyer purjured herself several times under oath. Making false accusations, continually taking us to court for balances we do not owe. Not allowing time for delayed balances to be paid in a regular way. She would not make an agreement unless it was in court. I witness the management office allow another tenant time to pay her over;$1000.00 without bringing them to court. The management has been bullying my family and defaming my character to force us out out of retaliation for being reported to ISD. We have awaken to no hot water. The heat is unbearable at night which the Office controls. They have attempted to enter our unit multiple times when we have expressed no entry without someone present. They have received multiple funds from several states agencies and then turnaround and still try to evict my family when they agreed not to by accepting the funds. They have not provided our credits to our account I pay 40.00 more than my rent but I always owe them something. They have put my son\\\\\\\'s job at risk even though we had credits to apply. Beverly Dorsey and her attorney begged the Judge to make the eviction stick even though they falsified documents to the judge. Beverly has become increasingly aggressive yelling at my son and I and throwing my phone. We have been locked out of the outdated laundry room for months denying us access to broken our clothes for almost a year. We have to search down quarters for broken washers and dryers when we should have a loadable card for laundry that add cash. They have also increased the price of these washers and dryers and we have to wash and dry them twice. I am truly overwhelmed. They denied mu children their own units when they applied the same time I did in 2016 and forced my three kids in my home and forced my daughter off my lease into homelessness. I feel abused and my health is deteriorating. I have complied with every request the office has made.bthey Continue to tell me no to every request we ask for. Please help my family. I care for my disabled son who has seizures have sensitivity to loud noises and has had many operations and doctors appointments. Our Mental Health is truly at risk. We do not deserve this. Beverly Dorsey has also placed false police reports on me to make her case to evict us Thank you for your time.
Respect Of All Tenants And Housing. | Case#**-*596 For almost three months we have waited for our Celing to be fixed, we have been accused of causing it to fall when we have proof we were not even home. We have asked to not have to hear profanity vulgar based music in our house from our neighbors, and get disrespected, called names and have all the text messages to prove that as well. We have asked about safety when using the driveway in the winter and get told it's OK because the other tenants pay extra monthly to park here, so basically who cares about your safety. We are not allowed to leave our own house, not even in an emergency because we are constantly blocked in the driveway, we have had to call taxi and ambulance, all because we can't leave our own house. Our walls are cracking and falling down, we have had a large icicle fall onto my shoulder, we took a picture of that as well. We have saved all pictures, text messages and voice messages. All we want is a quiet house without vulgar music or language and to be able to leave our house at our own free will, and have our ceilings and walls fixed. We have tried to text, call and email the landlord, and when we do get a response we are told that she has 15 other properties to worry about. This is completely unfair, we pay rent and keep our home in good clean working order. But when as of right now I can't even get out of my own house because again were blocked in and nothing happens, it feels like we're living in a prison. We should not have to move out just because no one wants to fix these issues. We choose this neighborhood for a reason and it is unfair to be bullied by other tenant and ignored by the landlord.
Deposit Problem | Case#**-*871
Bristol,
Virginia -
24201
Mr Griffin advertised an ad on Craig\'s list an apartment for rent in his basement calling it an Executive\'s home. We both met at an convienant store. I initially explained to him in my conversation that I wanted to use my appliances & furniture. He didn\'t respond to saying I could. He said it was too dirty for me to see, but I would love it when he got the new flooring down. He lives in a 5000 sq ft home. He ask me if I wanted to go to his house & we wouldn\'t have to go in, just to see where it was located. I agreed. He lives in an upstanding neighborhood. He told me I could use the double car garage for entry into the apartment. He had his own garage & his private entrance on the other side. By looking outside, I thought the place would be nice. I did the stupid thing & let him talk me into going to his office & signing a contract without seeing the place. This is when I put the $600 down as a deposit. Every time I met with him, I would ask him could I put a sink in, & bring my kitchen appliances in & he said lets wait until you move in. I never stayed the first night there. I did have a key to get in the apt. I also had the garage door opener. All my utilities were suppose to be free. On Friday the 13, 2017, he left a letter on the bar that if I wanted cable & internet that I would have to call the company for installing it. I had taken a few boxes over there prior to this. My daughter-in-law was helping me clean. I called him & ask him if he would come down stairs. He came down & I ask again about bringing my appliances in & he said lets talk about it when you get moved in. Before he went back upstairs, he said you might bring a bunch of people in here & throw a big party! I didn\'t say anything after that remark. We started to carry my boxes which were very few to the vehicle & we left the garage door opener & the key. I came home & called him to tell him I wasn\'t going to take the apt. I live on a fixed income & my family was going to help me with the rent. I live with my son now & help with the rent. My furniture is in storage, & has been for 2 yrs. I thought when you pay a deposit down is for damage. I couldn\'t have damaged anything, because I didn\'t stay there at all. I wrote a check & have a copy of it.
Breach By Landlord | Case#**-*650
Frederick,
Maryland -
21702
Mission Rock Residential, LLC Z18787127, LANDMARK APARTMENT TRUST OF AMERICA, INC 20-3975609 has not responded to our billing issues, the harassment of a disabled resident, the Breach of Lease case from January 2024 till July 2024, nor the investigation into our son being attacked resulting in permanent facial scaring.
The Thomas family has moved out after the harassment was escalated involving the threat of police in April and actions by the sheriff\'s on the 6th of this month.
The tenants are entitled to the full cost of the contract by value.
The contract has no benefit and is to be Voidable. Yet the owner desired to voice their opinion on my maintenance review, while property management and staff harassment was assisting them in bullying a disabled resident.
If you desire to be taken to court, spend more than $17,000.00 defending your rights, have all of your private information given whomever they have deemed relevant, not limited to their foreign llc registered in Delaware of 20 other entities non corporations. This means that harassment from 19 entities may lose to you with one winning. This 647 days of disrespect has led us to leave after the threats of police, and sheriff\'s claim to issue a warrant for my arrest. The claim by the office is that we as tenants are trespassing, and contempt of Court. The tenants told all involved that the contract by its own words stated a Buy out clause, what if clause, early termination, and relocation, costs are to be given to tenants. This conversation ended with the sheriff\'s threat to arrest the disabled tenant. As of today the apartments first nor second law office or the Owner of this company have addressed the Breach by Landlord. The facial scaring of my son has not been addressed. The disabled tenant was rushed to the hospital for blindness and Gastrointestinal issues causing blood loss due to the stress of this apartment, costing $6,220.00 to get emergency assistance for 6 miles. When the disabled tenant returned from the hospital the landlord decided that her son should no longer walk their service dog on property without an adult.Wednesday, April 24, 2024 Gretchen Hambsh decided to continue the harassment of tenants regarding a lease violation for an ESA animal which was placed by notice on their door and discussed in person once received. Mission Rock Residential, LLC Z18787127, LANDMARK APARTMENT TRUST OF AMERICA, INC 20-3975609 has not responded to our billing issues, the harassment.
Breach Of Agreement, Non Responsiveness, Threats | Case#**-*114
SACRAMENTO,
CA -
95826 2945
We signed a lease stating the landlord was responsible for \\\"sewage, waste, water\\\" bills. Six months into the lease landlord emails us a lien notice they received from the city for their failure to pay that bill. Find out landlord has been receiving bills for those six months and paid some but not all of the bills. Asked landlord for the detailed bill associated with the lien letter so we could understand what they wanted us to pay (they had only sent us a letter from the city addressed to them about a lien). Landlord would not provide bill details and instead within days of the first notice of this matter he sends us a notice of default on our lease and threatens to evict us. We felt coerced into paying that bill to not lose our house even though we still dispute that the lease obligates us to pay such bills. We didn\\\'t have the opportunity to work things out amicably and fairly because landlord escalated with threats of eviction.
Two months ago we notified the landlord we may need to terminate our lease early for a change of jobs forcing us to move. One month ago we confirmed the need to move early at the end of June. That\\\'s three months of notice total. We followed up with several letters asking for information or a plan. Landlord refuses to respond via email and says \\\"call me\\\" but provides a number that seems to be disconnected, we only get a \\\"this number cannot be completed\\\" message when calling. Over the course of the last two months, landlord has seemingly not taken any action to find new tenants to replace us as the law requires and instead will only say we are obligated to pay. We have offered to help show the property and gave ample notice to find a new tenant. Looking at rental listing sites and searching Google we see the home has still not been listed as of today.
Since the landlord has not provided any information and has instead been aggressive, we have informed him again we will be vacating for all the reasons above and that we would like to schedule an initial inspection so we can handle any cleaning and repairs and ensure the fair return of our security deposit within the 21 day required period.
Bed Bugs | Case#**-*172
norristown,
Pennsylvania -
19401
Although management has attempted to take care of the bugs on several occasions, I do not believe that the individual entrusted with the responsibility of removing the bed bugs is trained or has the equipment necessary to adequately deal with the problem. While I was present at the apartment during his visit, he simply drenched the living room furniture with the same chemical spray that he uses for our roach problem which not only proved ineffective in killing the pests, but has made me weary of using the furniture because of the exposure to the insecticides. There are local exterminators whom I feel are better equipped to assist in dealing with this problem because without their help, we will be forced to move.
Repair Issues | Case#**-*381
Antioch,
Tennessee -
37013
I have been contacting my landlord for about 3 months to make some repairs to my rental property. No one has shown up to take a look or estimate, much less repair anything I have asked. We have needed an exterminator, and no one has come yet. Our basement leaks badly during the rain and their is evidence of mold. This could cause serious health issues. There is a giant deep hole in our front yard we have covered with a piece of plywood because no one has come to repair it. It could cause serious injury if someone were to fall. There is alot of debris in our back yard that has never been removed, therefore we cannot mow in the back. Our bathroom heater no longer works. These are the more serious complaints of our repairs. I have never been late/missed a rent payment. I have sent two letters acknowledging and asking these problems be fixed. I have called over 9 times to discuss with a woman named Tina, in which every time she tells me that they are coming out here to do repairs, but never do. Since my letters and phone calls have resulted in nothing, I have run out of options except to report this to someone else.
Bed Bug Issue And Unresolve Tenant Noise Relating Issues | Case#**-*404
TULSA,
OK -
74133 3609
On June 2018, we moved into a unit at Lincoln Memorial apartment. On July, we notice a bug issue and we weren\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'t sure why my family and I were getting bites. On July, we discovered that our room (master bedroom) had bedbugs, initially I thought it was fleas. We called the office on July 31st about the issue, spoke to Perry. The office informed us that their contracted exterminator can not come on that day and will get back to me but the office never called me back. On August 2, I called the office again, they informed me their exterminator can\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'t come until the following Monday.. On August 6, the exterminator guy came and sprayed the 1st sprayed. I was informed by them that the office will schedule the 2-3 treatment every Monday following until 3rd treatment is done. On August 13th, the day of which the 2nd treatment was suppose to be scheduled and our unit was suppose to be sprayed again, the exterminator company no showed. I called the office, they stated we didn\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'t call to make the appointment for the 2nd sprayed but we were not told that the tenants were reliable for making the appts for the 2-3rd sprayed. Again, they stated the company can not come until the following Monday. On September 7th, I called the office to make the appointment for the bed spray. On September 10th (the scheduled 2nd spray) exterminator no showed again in the morning. I called the office 3 times that day, just to confirm that the exterminator will come. They reassure me the exterminator may be busy in the morning and will be there before the day end. At 3:30 p.m, I called the office again and spoke to Perry and was told we did not have an appointment for any treatment that day. Spoke September 14th, I called the office and spoke to manager Kate. During this conversation, she stated the 1st initial treatment was done incorrectly, therefore we needed to restart the whole process. I was not told anything about this and was not informed about any fees that she stated I would be responsible for. I stated I was not aware of any fees and will not pay. Kate agreed to no charges as we are still protected under the 60 day period from which we moved in. On September 17th, the 2nd sprayed was successful. On September 24th, the 3rd treatment was done.
Bed Bugs | Case#**-*979
HUNTSVILLE,
AL -
35816 3552
I would like to get this issue resolved as quickly as possible without things getting hectic or ugly I have issue with bed bugs you sent over the pest control man today which is July 3rd he confirmed that there is bed bug showing may be coming from the creases of the carpet and that he will need to treat both rooms to head it off before it tries to get worse because it\\\'s not a big case so if we can get that done I will greatly appreciate that. I will not be responsible for the cost of it and I\\\'m renting out this apartment it is the land lords responsibility to keep the buildings and units rent ready. I took every precaution and made sure that from the last place I stayed at nothing was brought over here to the new place that was my number one go and I took every measure and precaution to make sure that I wouldn\\\'t have to deal with problems like this at all. Because if I have to treat this problem on my own having been here a short period of time from April to now it will not be through your Pest Control it will be through my own research of getting rid of them because that is too much money and that is ridiculous to make someone pay not only for their apartment unit but for other units as well that is ridiculous that will be thousands of dollars and that\\\'s money that people don\\\'t have so with that being said I would love it if you can just pay to treat my apartment so we can move on from this because it is a very nice area to stay at and I do find my landlord and the other employees nice and attentive I didn\\\'t think that it would be a problem to get this resolved asap. If no agreement can be made as far as them paying for the cost to treat my apartment then I would like to just be let out of my lease with no eviction put on my credit and my $300 deposit back so I can possibly get somewhere else and don\\\'t have to do with this at all I already have to deal with the air not working in my living room and keeping the front area of my apartment around 80 something degrees everyday which is ridiculous and that\\\'s been since I move in other than that and this new problem that has arise there hasn\\\'t been it any other complaints and I would just like for these issues to be resolved so I can move on.
Breach Of Agreement, Harrassment | Case#**-*448
OROSI,
CA -
93647 1925
Yes i have been receiving letters and compliments for over a year now there is 24 other homes in similar violation and my home and my family are the only ones being harrassed... management also charged a extra fee on the rent for vehicle redline parking violation, and it clearly states in the estates policy that vehicles will be \"towed\" by owers expense! There is a clear breach of policy. Management also walks around our mobile home taking pictures, there are clearly other tenants management can harrasse but Mario Olea continues to harrass andtrespass on out property.. there are many lies on the notice! I have all copies.... Mario took pictures lied about what he saw. When i showed proof he changed his story about what he saw... i have all cpoies and proof of this as well!
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.
