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
Eviction | Case#**-*139
LONG BEACH,
CA -
90802 5922
Landlord did not serve a summons, lawyers and process server are falsifying records and we only received 5 day notice
Breech Of Agreement , Domestic Violence, Abuse | Case#**-*388
COMPTON,
CA -
90222 3835
Administration and on-site staff has denied the use of personal property by theft over a period of 15 months. Filed complaint for retaliation, harassment, unlawful entry after each report abuse by employees intensified. Police reports filed, reports filed with adult protective services, family and friends advocating for me with no relief from unlawful behavior of staff. Other tenants on-site with similar issues police reports filed, adult protective services reports filed . One such tenant is Walter Williams contact number 424-247-6953 and there are more.
Breach Of Lease, Repair Issue | Case#**-*983
SAN CLEMENTE,
CA -
92672 2616
We reported golphers in the backyard when my 4 year old daughter was playing and tripped over one. 7 months ago, April 17 I made my first complaint/work order request. Nothing had been done about the issue for 7 months of complaints. I hired my own vendor to come take a look and he stated the yard was hazardous and that golphers create elaborate tunnel systems which make the ground susceptible to sink holes as well as instability, on top of the obvious above ground damage which is what made my daughter get fall and get hurt. He advised to not use the yard until the issues was taken care of, which means the yard should be dug up to fill the tunnels, as well as treat the area. I In the meantime, I just tried to fill the holes the best I could over and over. Not for 7 months did I get a legitimate response from Lincoln. Finally a higher manager and 7 other people came to the house and met with their own vendor. Their own vendor said \"yes it is hazardous\" and poked his pole through the ground to show the instability. The solution they had was to rototill the yard and lay down sod which should take care of the tunnels. This was done and the yard looks okay. When I asked about the rent abatement for the time we did not have the use of the yard (which is stated in their lease that we would be entitled to a rent abatement if any damages not caused by us meant we could not use the part or all of the property), I was told that the yard was usable and not inhabitable which is not what their very own vendor said in front of all of us. According to their lease, the rent abatement should be the rental about prorated on a 30 day basis. Given that it was 7 months during a pandemic where most playgrounds were closed, and the vendor agreed with what my own vendor said, I feel it is absolutely warranted. However, I am not asking for all 7 months. I am requesting 3 since we had use of the interior of the home.
Says one thing, lease says another | Case#**-*160
WHITTIER,
CA -
90601 4447
Landlord knows there are cracked windows and apartment needs repainting but has not comply. Complains of losing money. Daily maintenance of location is not timely. Rats in apartment.
Bugs, Maintenance, Garcage, Drugs And So Much More | Case#**-*986
MILWAUKEE,
WI -
53207 2201
Cock roaches, bugs of some land beyond my belief but they out number the city population. Maintenance problems galore no handle on bathroom door so you can see through door and no lock. tiles missing from floor since we moved in, paint peeling off walls and ceiling. Bathtub rotting, toilet does not flush are just some of major problems. hall ways disgusting with animal pee on rugs, walls cracked, corners falling apart, garbage overflowing on ground outside dumpsters. The lady who sprays only scaters bugs she is useless. I talked to several extermination companies all agree they just are being scattered, also a legal matter is manager took bikes with rack in back for people to claim bikes but cut everyones locks off of bike. In addition we have no screens allowing roaches to climb in house.
Breech Of Lease By Landlord | Case#**-*302
RADCLIFF,
KY -
40160 8501
I’m an individual & a Veteran with disabilities,plus I also have a Service Dog named Koko. For almost 2 years I have asked my Landlord Kathi Monday to make repairs in the basement/garage due to extreme flooding every time it’s rains. Since it wasn’t repaired along some items in my apartment, which has resulted in dangerous molds and spores throughout my residence.
I contacted code enforcement & he found numerous of violations. He also recommended that a Mold Remediation Company should come to test the mold. The Landlord hired a Mold Remediation Company to come out & do testing,he has to refuse to give me a copy of his findings & report. Being that be won’t advised me in what I need to do so I move out my apartment, so I won’t cause cross contamination when I get to my new residence.
Being that I have been ignored, I had hire a the Mold Testing Company to come out to do testing, their test results showed 4 types deadly & dangerous molds & high mold spores count throughout my residence. Even after my VA Primary Care Physician & Clinic Social Worker sent Kathi Monday a letter concerning my health issues & concerns; she completely ignored their recommendations. Due me having health problems from being exposed to the molds conditions in my residence, I’m seeing a Pulmonary Specialist, plus my PTSD & Anxiety has been triggered.
No Maintenance/Charged For Renters Insurance When Aready Having It, Trash | Case#**-*650
COMMERCE CITY,
CO -
80640 7521
I\'m renting a 2 bedroom apartment, and the property management maintenance won\'t fix maintenance issues in my apartment or other tenants. I have 10 other tenants with issues of the same and 2 of them have to take 2-3 minute showers because of hot water heater is going out. The issues keep on being raised, and they go turn the heater up and costing the tenant more money and turning the heater into a possible bomb. The office says they do work orders, and then the maintenance personnel turn in a non factual ticket of things are fixed. There is trash all over the complex because of the constant overflow of trash from the dumpster. The office told me if I see any non residents throwing trash to get a license plate like have that time instead of putting a camera to deter that. Instead of the property personnel picking trash up when driving by in their cart they drive on by. I have also request them to fix lights in complex, and our parking lot for our safety, and because of vehicle break-ins. The management team continues to lie to us like we don\'t talk and we need help. I do general contracting and they have tried doing smoke screen after smoke screen with me even. I already told them I was filing a complaint.
Cheating and tricks, won't return correct deposit was issued | Case#**-*859
PACIFIC GROVE,
CA -
93950 2437
I gave 40 days’ notice in advance and ask Mongold mgmt if I can leave apartment, and management says OK. I left apartment in May 25th morning, leaving it clean: Wall, ceilings, floors/carpet, Oven, shower, tub, doors frames. The appartment I rent is very old and I was mainteined it clean.
Contract end’s for 1 year in June 12, but even so Managment says OK you can leave no problem I was charge for 20 day’s. I paid full month May 31 and quiet apartment in May 25th. While lanlord indicated, I move out day indicated May 29? Again Apartment was left clean and the better shape left after I rent.
Also I indicated when rent that I am with military and if get deploy I will need move.
From $1475 security deposit I was charge 18 days rent June rent $837, cleaning 150, painting wall 465, carpet 80. He sent me deposit June 23 only ammount $221.
Many thanks,
Izaak Salman
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.
