Rent Problems Are Frustrating; but you're not alone: Thousands of tenants rely on RPA to solve problems
Bedbugs | Case#**-*012
CHICAGO,
IL -
60608 6631
*another apartment (upstairs) has recently been treated for bedbugs, we were not notified of this AND we use the same laundry machines (one washer one dryer in the building)
*landlord has refused to pay because it is a "tenant problem" not a building problem
*we were planning on moving out but the landlord has stated that they will not pay even if we stay
*we had a lease which expired in May and was not renewed
Help me my apparment is infested with roaches!! | Case#**-*773
COLORADO SPGS,
CO -
80917 1945
When I had just moved into my new apartment, I hadnā??t even finished unpacking before we found the roaches. My roommate and i have worked hard to get this apartment. After trying for four months to live around it we have had to replace the living room furniture twice due to the bugs. Iā??m fed up! Is it legal for a landlord to allow you to move in and not tell you that the place is infested with cockroaches? I know there is no way to get rid of them, not for good, so are we stuck to live in this horrible place? I have not been able to sleep at all there completely disgusting I have woken to them on my face! Solicitors have commented on their presence in the halls.
How can I find another place to move to, i am half way through a nine month lease
PLEASE HELP ME, I donā??t know what to do, I have no idea what my legal rights are.
Thank you.
Harasment And Threats From Maintenance Manager | Case#**-*038
Chandler,
Arizona -
85225
Complaint 1. On 5/7/16 I was diagnosing a problem with my car. The Maintenance Manager Frank Restadius approached me and told me to stop working on my car as it was a violation of the lease agreement. He said the parking lot would need to be cleaned or I would have to pay for it to be cleaned. He did not point out exactly what needed to be cleaned. I immediately moved my car and photo documented the parking lot. On Sunday 5/8/16 I received a notice on my door stating damage to the property damage had occurred because of spilled oil on my parking lot. It stated that if I could not clean it to contact the Office. I sent pictured to the Office of my parking lot showing that there was no Oil spill and that I wanted a release of liability from cleaning something that did not exist. Frank would not give a release. I asked him to show me where the Oil spill had occurred and point it out to me and he would not. I volunteered to clean the parking lot at my own expense to appease him and he refused. He now states that he will have the parking lot cleaned and have me billed for it. Complaint 2. On 4/15/16 we reported a leak in our bathroom ceiling. While I was taking the trash out about an hour later, Frank had come up and I put the trash down adjacent to our front door to show him the leak. He turned around and walked away saying he would be right back. after about 5 minutes he returned and handed me a notice of lease violation stating that trash could not be kept outside the front door. I explained I put it down because he had walked up and I wanted to show him the leak. He clearly stated \"I don\'t Care\" Complaint 3. On several occasions Frank has been seen by My Wife and myself looking in our patio and inside our window of our Apartment. He does not do this with any other adjacent apartments. He only looks in our window and in our patio and then walks off. This happens at lease twice a week for the last month and a half. We feel we are being targeted and harassed for unknown reasons. We wish this to stop.
Repair issue. | Case#**-*552
LOS ANGELES,
CA -
90046 3332
The floor wooden panels have moved, thus leaving a black hole in my floor. I have a chain of emails for your records original email dated November 1, 2012. It now has been 3 weeks and I am still looking at the black hole. I was contacted on November 2, 2012 saying that this will be taken care of, but it never was. I have sent several emails to the landlord to address the issue, but either ignored or told the contractor, "is busy doing other work". Unacceptable! Also, I changed my phone number last week and have the 2 email requests to the landlord asking my new number be changed on the intercom, I even spoke spoke to Ophir Stern directly, on Monday November 19, 2012, asking that this please done ASAP since I will be having guests over for Thanksgiving and it is a nuisance for me to go and down the entire day to open the gate for my guests. He assured me this will be taken care of before Thanksgiving. I even sent him a text in the morning of November 21, 2012 to remind him. Once again, I am ignored. I feel like I am being played and laughed at. Very unprofessional and this is unacceptable. I gave this company ample time to rectify the problem, I am told yes, to shut me up and then blatantly ignored. I pay good money for my apartment, have the apartment in pristine condition and always pay on time, upholding my portion of the rental contract.
Relocation And Fees | Case#**-*169 there is leaking and plumbing problems and black mold in my apartment and other things wrong. they have contacted a contractor and the bathroom will need to be completly redone. ( i belive the subflooring is gone as well) they are willing to put me in another apartment but do not wantot help with the moving expenses, and are considering a reduced rent. as the new rental rates are higher then what i pay. this has been an ongoing problem for over a year adn although this company recently bought the property, it is not my problem. this is now a health and a safety issue and i have a child with asthma.
i recenlty renewed my lease and do not feel like i should haveot pay the price for their neglegence. I am a single mom and i do not have the means to move an entire apartment and the money to afford a mover.
Removed Illegally From Lease | Case#**-*135
PLEASANT GRV,
UT -
84062 5000
The original lease expired and I was still paying rent to the landlord, vicarious through my live in spouse. My spouse went to the landlord and had me removed, no Tenancy at Will, no vacate the premises were ever issued, yet I was removed from the lease. After the original lease expired, it went month to month, then the lease was renewed the next month, without me as the primary lease holder. This was done against my knowledge and will. Even if I was at another residence, I cannot be removed from a written agreement. Thank you.
Breach Of Agreement | Case#**-*196
Fort Worth,
Texas -
76114
I gave out my notice to the landlord on 11-3-2014 and she stated that I would have to give a 60 day notice.
I agreed and she said that 3 days was no big deal that the 60 day would be fine. I get a letter for an early
termination fee, and stating that I gave her the letter on 11-19 when clearly the letter stats 11-3 on it.
The landlord is lying and trying to say she didnt get the letter on the 3rd which it clearly states.
infestation, breach of rental agreement | Case#**-*085
DENVER,
CO -
80220 3358
when i moved in i was told that lowry heights had 0% population of bedbugs and roaches or any other infestation. after i was fully moved in to my new home i found roaches bigger then my thumb nail and bits on my body from bedbugs, i have found and collected over a dozen bedbugs and stored in a bag as proof that i had bedbugs. also i have killed over three dozen roaches
Retaliation/ Non Renewal Of Lease | Case#**-*192
Mesa,
Arizona -
85201
On November 17th 2017, kialeah with the leasing office came to my apartment and served me a non renewal of lease notice. When asked as to the grounds for serving it, her response was \\\"They don\\\'t have to have a reason. \\\" Later on that afternoon, I went to the office with another neighbor as a witness, and demanded an explanation from Kialeah . I was told that the reason was because I was \\\"excessively harassing her \\\" She went on to say that I was rude when I would call after hours.
Over the last 2 years out of the 4 that I have lived here, I have put up with leaks coming from my ceiling and leaving water all over the place. Just this past summer, I slipped in my own bathroom and almost broke my neck. The air conditioner for the better part of the summer would not work half the time in 119+ degree summer temperatures. There are also German cockroaches that have infested the whole complex. There are also people coming in and dealing drugs and knocking on people\\\'s doors peddling their stuff. Just lady week I had a fight break out between another resident and one of these drug dealers.
So this so called \\\"harassment \\\" was actually my being aggravated with being blown off and ignored by the staff here. Phone calls not being returned and going to the apartment manager\\\'s personal cell phone that has an immature, unprofessional sounding voicemail message that nobody cares about when they\\\'re calling after hours.
There is also a health department complaint filed against this complex after a former resident ess found living in squalor with no air conditioning and happens to be a disabled senior citizen.
I will also have you know that I have rheumatoid arthritis and I work nights. I shouldn\\\'t have to put up with the level of incompetence from the staff here.
Landlord Negligence | Case#**-*708
WILMINGTON,
DE -
19802 1702
It has been approximately 6 months since my new wife and I moved into this apartment and we are still dealing with repairs that have not been completed yet. Before moving into the apartment, I asked that the repairs be completed and even paid her one month advance so that the apartment be prepared. However, to this date, the AC does not work, the balcony has not been repaired, there are no screens on the balcony door or the windows. My wife is 7 months pregnant and should not be enduring 81 degree heat while she is preganant.
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.
