Rent Problems Are Frustrating; but you're not alone: Thousands of tenants rely on RPA to solve problems
Heating Issues | Case#**-*173
DENVER,
CO -
80247 2024
I have been asking for 3 days to get my heater fixed. I’ve called numerous times and asked for it to be fixed before the snow came. It’s starting to get really cold in my apartment because the temperature is supposed to be 17 degrees tonight and also it’s supposed To snow all day tomorrow. I have heard complaints from other tenants the front desk people and also the managers don’t do anything. They sit at there desk and just sit there. I even asked for communication and i got one phone call because i told them i was going to get ahold of the cooperate office. They need to be fired and a whole new staff be out on. I can’t get anything done. I’ve asked for my closet doors to get fixed the screens be replaced because there is none. I don’t know what there doing but i know I’m going to freeze tonight because they don’t do there job and that is not right. I paid my rent i also paid the extras they asked for and i can’t get anything done. I honestly want to sue then for discomfort and freezing. I don’t know if that possible but this just isn’t right
Listed Below | Case#**-*113
SEATTLE,
WA -
98104 2692
Staff putting my life in danger. Harassment, living conditions, bedbug INFESTATION due to staff personnel, giving me 10 day notice Harassment... Not completing work in my apartment, taking to long to complete work in my apartment, black mold in garbage shoot with bedbugs, cockroaches and rodents and fumes coming up from garbage shoot because of the shredder from cleaning bottles and more. Staff being unprofessional and refusing my letters in the office
All | Case#**-*232
Nacogdoches,
Texas -
75961
I\\\'ve been here for four years an every when I try to move she always tell me I have to pay for the carpet an every time I ask how much it different prices then she tell me I can move with out my voucher an it will go on my back ground I mean I know plenty of people that lives out here will tell you the same thing about the carpet thing an they don\\\'t fixs nothing the apartments also has pets problem if she just lets me out my lease when it\\\'s up with my voucher that would be fine
Repair Issue, Breach of Landlord/Tenant Laws | Case#**-*951
Indianapolis,
Indiana -
46201
During the third week of March, the ceiling to the rented dwelling in the main bedroom closet, collapsed due to excessive rain. The following week, warmer weather in the high 80's required air conditioning in the home, but it did not work. I called and sent texts to Sue and Phil (Elder Real Estate, LLC), but they delayed the repairs until the third week of May when the weather returned to unfavorable conditions. In late April, a live in boyfriend had opened the back door to the home too hard, pulling the casing from the wall and the door came off the casing. I knew I would be responsible for the repairs. The next door neighbor was the maintenance man at the time and repaired the door within 45 minutes only needing a hammer and a few screws. Once the Elders paid with check #1099 for $245 on June 20th to the repair man for all the repairs required for health and safety reasons, they arrived on the rental property, only letting me view a carbon copy of the check with out any details of the repairs. I decided to call around to other repair companies and a repair of the same quality for the back door did not reach over $100. Once the repair man viewed the undetailed receipts the Elders submitted to me with a compliance to pay by July first, he was able to give me a copy of the repairs in detail, noting that my portion is only $40. I have paid $30 without the knowledge of the acutal and proper bill. I will be sending the final $10 to cover my responsibility of the repair. I feel harassed on this matter. I also have reason to believe this property has been rented out under false pretenses. There is code violations as well as health violations in this establishment, but without further investigation by a professional, I am being requested to vacate via a personal letter allowing me only 30 days to move on August 4th. It was sent certified and I was not able to pick it up until the 11th of July. The letter was sent July 3rd, the day before Independence Day. There is no possible way for me to pick up the letter until the 11th of July being that the post office is closed on July 4th and my work schedule. I worked the 5th, 6th (noted date available for pick up), 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th and was able to pick up the letter the 11th. This matter has not been submitted to small claimes court. The landlord is in breach of landlord/tenant laws and responsibilities.
Discrimination,retaliation,harrasment | Case#**-*549
Las Vegas,
Nevada -
89101
I rented my apartment on 10/15/2015 from property manager Norma Ines Baruch Baruch. She is person who showed,rented, and collected from all tenants who I met including myself and husband.She was also the person who he himself allowed to handle evictions,maintenance, and all moneys for him.she however,then rented to my sister who caught her embezzling her and we got together 11 tenants of Silvio who had been victims or knew of it, in which we formed a petition to Silvio ramin who promised to remove her. that being said we the people who signed this said petition were all slowly targeted and removed by him slowly but she remains his agent and I am the last on this petition who is left but now he is doing whatever he can to incriminate me and is conspiring against me with manager and a new tenant in exchange of free rent to her. I have full proof.
Displaced From Our Home Due To Fire With No Options From Management | Case#**-*962
ORANGE,
CA -
92865 3935
On 2/11/2022 there was a fire explosion that displaced my family ( 1 year old baby ) from our apartment. It has been 6 weeks now and no alternative options have been given to put a roof over our heads. We have no where to live. The locks have been changed and all our personal belongings in the apartment. We have requested a copy of the hazard material testing that was done that they are required to provide to us so we know how to proceed with the stuff in the home and nothing. They have not responded to my emails and no contact from them about options of where we can live. Its been 6 weeks , how long do they expect us to wait with no home and none of our possessions? This is insane how they have handled this situation with no communication and no options. We are the only family from the fire that was displaced so it is not like they have a overwhelming number of people to place it JUST US! We need some where to live asap and we need that report to know what to do with our personal belongings. We need start moving forward with our lives. They have been on hold for 6 weeks. How would they feel if this was their family and their kids in this situation? Is this how they take care of their residents/ customers. WE NEED TO BE PLACED IN ANOTHER APARTMENT ASAP. We need to be placed for the same price of rent we were paying before . We should not have to pay more for rent for another unit. This fire was not our fault it was the fault of another resident and his carport beneath our home. There priority should have been the concern for my family and to make sure we have some where to sleep at night. I was told by Michelle the fill in manager they had units open a 2 bedroom.
Bed Bug Infestation | Case#**-*592 I\'ve been having issues since this past summer. I\'ve made plenty of complaints to management. My apt was treated, but the bugs are still in my apt. I mentioned other tenants having them, they found activity in their apt. Since they\'ve been treated I\'ve been finding bugs here and there. It has become unbearable now. To have bites all over your body for months is ridiculous. I was told if there is no activity there is not point in retreating the apt, but having numerous bed bug bites for months and finding bed bugs in my apt, I feel qualifies for retreatment.
Deposit Problems | Case#**-*045
HIGHLAND,
IN -
46322 3448
I have called and text our landlord and we are now at the 45 day mark and have not received our security deposit back. The apartment was spotless, not one picture was hung the entire time we were there and Ricky the maintenance guy confirmed that the apartment was move in ready and that a new tenant was moving in before our lease even ended. Brett, the landlord has sent several texts saying he would send it back and keeps saying he forgot.
Deposit Problem | Case#**-*519
Manassas,
Virginia -
20109
Landlord kept $1000 Deposit after I paid for cacarpet cleaning abd general cleaning including windows. Landlord required unnecessary even after being informed by pest control company that there was no pest activity. When I met with landlord for final inspection on 1/31/15 landlord brought her mother JoAnn Baker and double teamed against me, playing good cop/bad cop. Landlord went into rant, yelling screaming and threatening me verbally and physically (landlord is obese) and I am 67 year old senior citizen. Landlord called me names and made derogatory comments. Condo was left cleaner than when rented except for normal wear and tear on flooring. Appliances except was her and dryer were in poor condition. Stove had broken knobs, dishwasher was so old that plastic was worn off showing black. Oven light out and landlord would not let me know type required. I researched and purchased on my own. Broiler on stove did not work. Condo had water system attached to kitchen faucet and landlord did not support; said purchased by prior tenant and provided no information. I researched on own. Prior tenant had ruined master bath floor which landlord promised to replace within 1dt two months of rental. This was never done. Landlord slow to make repairs even after told electrical problem in which breaker repeatedly thrown and alarm went off in master bath abd closet when light turned on. Landlord misrepresented cost of utilities; said utilities would average $80 to $100 per month when in actuality many months over that including three months the 1st year were $300 per month. Landlord handyman determined compressor not working on heat pump but even after repair last 2 electric bills over $200 per month. Worst rental experience of my lifetime. Landlord abusive.
Stacking Penalty Fees | Case#**-*392
JACKSONVILLE,
FL -
32256 3798
My rent and water sewer fees are always on time or paid early, however a prior payment of the public utilities of water returned a money order indicating the money order was outdated, the complex charged a returned check fee to my account. In addition the original money order was never returned to me and notice regarding this matter was never given for several months after the fact. I travel for my living and am away for extended periods of time ...no email no phone call etc until a notice was attached to my front door claiming I owed close to 300 hundred dollars by my son who is a tenant also. In addition water usage is based on square footage compared to actual usage. As noted I travel out about 75% of my time so 1 person is using my utilities Please also note the returned money order amt for the water bill was paid at the time of notification.
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.
