Rent Problems Are Frustrating; but you're not alone: Thousands of tenants rely on RPA to solve problems
Fraudulant Eviction | Case#**-*268
Bensalem,
Pennsylvania -
19020
I have been living in Terry\\\'s mobile home park for the past five years with my spouse and two young daughters we have never had a problem here at all we recently got into an argument with a neighbor who was obviously very close with the owner since then we have been harassed threaten the owner was standing with me and the woman as she threatened my husband\\\'s life and he did nothing and now they are trying to leave it. We did nothing to deserve this they have made our life a living hell we have two little girls I can\\\'t believe that they would try to throw us out of our home for some reason he is afraid of this neighbor and does everything she says even though she threatened us right in front of him he has witnessed this they have followed us to stores they have a protest on our property it has been a nightmare please help I can\\\'t believe they were tried it put my children out on the street when I told him all I\\\'m trying to do is raise my little girls here for them to go to school and we don\\\'t bother nobody in five years we\\\'ve never had a complaint now they are lying to evict us and I will be filing a lawsuit also
Secondhand Smoke Coming Into Apartment | Case#**-*875
Queens,
New York -
11691
Beginning June 8, 2019, on several occasions secondhand smoke has been coming into the apartment. I\\\\\\\'ve also smelled tobacco in the lobby and on other occasions
I have seen people sitting in the basement entry smoking marijuana.
Harassment And Quality Of Life | Case#**-*999
SAN DIEGO,
CA -
92109 5106
The current onsite property manager is not a licensed agent, which is ok based on my research since she lives on site. She got the job by complaining to the owners about the previous company. Apartment Finders.
1. The Property manager and her boyfriend had massive raging fights that the whole place can hear. Crying, screaming, name calling. This wakes up children in the complex and makes me concerned for my safety.
2. About a month ago we were getting a new couch and were going to have someone come pick it up so we put it on the curb. Not more than 10 minutes after we did that, she called screaming at my boyfriend that she could evict us for this and that it could not be on the curb. It escalated over the phone as my boyfriend told her that she did not need to disrespect people the way she does and he asked for the owners phone number. She continued to yell after several attempts to ask her to calm down and speak to us like adults. She told him that he cannot challenge her and that her word is basically law. We told her any communication going forward needed to be via text or mail.
3. There is a plumbing issue. She text my boyfriend that the plumber would be here in 24 hours and that she was going to accompany him in. Marty text her back that we would be home and that he did not like that she had to come in as he did not trust her. She lost it again and brought her boyfriend out when my boyfriend went to take the trash out. Her boyfriend was calling everyone foul names. I went outside to try to bring some calming energy and she just can\'t have a normal conversation. She said my boyfriend told her that the plumber or her were not allowed. We have texts showing this is not the case. She verbally told us we have 30 days to move out and she would be sending it in writing tomorrow. Our other neighbors also came out and were also telling her how unreasonable she is and that no one wants to report any issues because she is so difficult to deal with.He boyfriend proceeded to say that we all can leave.
CARPET REPLACEMENT | Case#**-*498
DEERFIELD BCH,
FL -
33441 8131
I have been living at these apartments for 5 YEARS and I am moving out at the end of the month.
The assistant property manager is telling me when I move out I have to leave the apt. clean and also to SHAMPOO the carpet if I want to get my entire security deposit back! Why would they need me to shampoo the carpets when they\\\'re just going to rip it out and put a new one in for the future tenant!
Is this LEGAL what they\\\'re doing?
There are SO MANY scams down here in FL!!
Please help
Unlawful handling of contract/deposit | Case#**-*484
Lambertville,
New Jersey -
08530
Sue Begent originally gave me a 1 year contract at the address. After witnessing a male visitor, she hand ammended the contract to three months, with clauses such as "guests shall be limited to close friends and family only, of only 1 to 2 people at a time, every other week." as a paying tenant, this was an unfair contract, but she threatened to kick me out that day if I wouldn't sign it, so I did.
Over the three month period, she entered my bedroom, she made a financial error in the amount of 960.00 dollars, set me up for late payments, forced me to pay for a cleaner, and took extra money for me for cable without showing me statements. Finally, she did not keep my deposit in Escrow, and therefore did not have the total deposit to return to me upon the expiration of the contract. That is illegal in the state of NJ.
Harassment Of Noise Complaints | Case#**-*601
North Las Vegas,
Nevada -
89084
The residents living below me have been excessively complaining about stomping, banging, and talking too loud. Not only is he complaining about these things happening during \\\"quiet time\\\" he has also personally complained to me during the day via text as well. I will be walking around, visiting with family, or accidently drop something and he will bang up on his ceiling letting me know that I\\\'m being too loud. I have been contacted by the office regarding this multiple times. My mother was in town visiting on two separate occasions and he banged up on the ceiling scaring her while she was unloading dishing from my dish washer and the most resent had security come to my door, not during quiet time, to ask if everything was ok and we were just standing in my kitchen talking to each other. I have several text messages regarding the issue from him at all hours of the day. I have been trying to be the most considerate to him and his family that I can be with out feeling like I have to worry about everything that I do in my apartment. The most resent complaint he came and knocked on my door asking if I could stop banging when there was no banging happening. He then called the office to file yet another complaint. The office told me that he had recorded my conversation to prove he could hear me. It has been brought to my attention that if I don\\\'t keep, what are normal to me, living conditions quiet I will be evicted. The office has given me the option of apartment transfer with a $200 fee and the increase of my rent to the listing prices as of today. If there are complaints after moving apartments I will be evicted with out notice I can terminate my lease, which I have decided to do, for a $3200 fee and be out by 2/11/2016. If there is anymore complaints between now and then I will be evicted. I feel like I am being harassed and threatened for living my everyday normal life in the apartment that I pay a lot of money to live in. I don\\\'t feel like I should not have to pay anything for terminating my lease and should get my deposit back for an apartment I was agreed to living in until September of 2016 and am being forced out of 6 months into my lease.
Unnecessary Repair Charges | Case#**-*994
Plano,
Texas -
75093
We rented Apt 1521, at The Wellington at Willowbend from August 18th 2019 to Nov 15th 2020. We kept the place as clean as possible. Before moving out when I asked for specific moving out instructions I was not given anything. When I handed over the keys no one came for move out inspections. Now I am told to pay more than $800 for replacement of the carpet. When we left there was a small stained area. But if I were told to get the carpet cleaned I would have done that. Even the lease terms say if a carpet is not clean, tenant is supposed to pay \\\\\\\"REASONABLE CLEANING COST\\\\\\\". I handed over the key on the 13th November, although my moveout date was 15th November. I could have been informed to clean the carpet by the 15th. I would have easily arranged for that. Instead the management decided to replace the carpet without consulting me and asking me to pay for replacing the entire carpet of the whole apartment. Other than the minor stain, the carpet has regular war and tear and since we did not have any pets there was no damage by pets either. Even your webpage about Texas law states that \\\\\\\"Normal wear and tear. The landlord may not charge you for normal wear and tear on the premises and may only charge for actual abnormal damage. For example, if the carpet simply becomes more worn because you and your guests walked on it for a year, the landlord may not charge you for a new carpet. If your water bed leaks and the carpet becomes mildewed as a result, you may be charged.\\\\\\\" I am charged unresonably for a small stain without ever attempting to clean the same. The business said because the carpet was stained and carpet company \\\\\\\"reccommended for replacement\\\\\\\" they replaced it. However it must be kept in mind that the carpet company has a vested interest and to promote their business they have to sell their product. Just based on that one cannot force a tenant to pay for the replacement cost. Further it is a common practice to replace the carpet when someone moves out and the burden of that cannot be placed on the tenant.
Harassing Contact, Inappropriate Damage Claims | Case#**-*318
Santa Fe,
New Mexico -
87505
My wife and I ended our lease with Stefanie Beninato because we felt harassed by her invasive contact and unreasonable demands. In particular we objected to her demands for uncompensated yard-work. Now she claims we’ve damaged things that we didn’t damage and is intent on charge us. She even claims we broke the electric hot plate that serves as the stove for the unit.
We had an agreement with Ms. Beninato that we would do yard-work in exchange for access to her washing machine, which she kept in the locked garage. We chose to end the agreement because of her rude and intrusive micromanaging (e.g. monitoring the yard almost daily, frequently initiating comments, questions, and emails regarding minor details of the yard-work, insisting that she hold the key to the garage and open it for a limited number of hours at a time convenient to her during which we could do laundry). At this point We also asked for space and privacy –Ms. Beninato was on the property about once a day, often twice. After our request for privacy, she declared that she’d be “entering (our) apartment for an inspection”. Given our recent nullification of the yard-work agreement and request for privacy, this felt particularly harassing and provocative.
She had already entered our space 4 times regarding the installation of a showerhead that she insisted on changing out, although it worked adequately. I helped her with attempted installations of a showerhead. The process was complicated by my initial objection that the showerhead was to low (spray at 5’) compared to the old one that worked just fine.
It was after our relationship had soured that Ms. Beninato requested we pick up trash in the yard once a week if any had blown into the yard. We told her that this was inappropriate. She later added a claim that it was our trash. This was strange because a big pile of her construction trash remained outside the front door of our unit for as long as we lived there. She also asked that we pick up the apricots that had fallen from her and the neighbors’ trees’ and accused us of creating an ant-pile because of the rotting fruit. Again, we felt harassed and displaced from the space we were renting so we chose to leave with just two months left on our six-month lease. We gave the requested 30 days notice.
Stefanie is an attorney/mediator and has been involved in over 30 personal lawsuits according to an article in the local paper. We became concerned she was going to lay claim to our deposit or even sue us, so we began to document the apartment as we prepared to move out. She runs a mediation business – legal interaction is her work and, it appeared to us, her hobby as well.
The lease document leverages her legal expertise, stating she reserves the right to make changes to the “rules and regulations of the lease.” We are uncertain if this itself is even legal/Is this legal? If she asks tenants, progressively over the course of their stay, to do tasks around the yard that are not mentioned in the lease, do they have to do them? There are sections of the lease that note that the lease agreement goes against normal state law? Is this legal? We found the lease to be totally unclear on other essential items such as cleaning expectations, ramifications for ending a lease early or even the specific dollar amount of the rent.
Ms. Beninato did not provide us with a checklist for itemizing dirt and damages when we moved in, and in our trusting naďveté, we did not create our own. However, the property was built in the 1930’s and therefore has many small damages (e.g. chipped and cracked walls, unpainted patches on the walls, a damaged screen door, separating floorboards in the kitchen, a blackened fireplace) and worn out hardwood floors. We became concerned she would claim we damaged these things. Now she’s saying we scratched the worn-out floor. We photo documented everything upon moving out and there are no big scratches on the floor beyond the wear-and-tear that existed when we moved in. We placed plastic beneath heavy furniture, as she requested, and we only lived there four months. The floor is so worn out, however, that the framing joists show through the sagging hardwood at intervals of 16 inches. These may be the “scratches” she’s talking about. I requested to see pictures of the alleged scratches and she responded that she will “produce the pictures when legally necessary.” We don’t know what to do to protect ourselves –Ms. Beninato is claiming damages for which we are not responsible and she loves to litigate!
In addition to the floor, Ms. Beninato claims we broke the mailbox that would fall off the wall intermittently. Note: It’s also strange that she has tenants leave their rent and utility checks in the mailbox for her to collect.
Ms. Beninato also claims we broke the electric hotplate that serves as the unit’s only stove, when in truth, it just stopped working. We informed Ms. Beninato of this when it occurred, but she did not respond with a new hotplate. At this point in our relationship with Stefanie it felt better to not have a stove than to make additional contact with her to obtain a new hotplate. We relied on our microwave for several weeks prior to moving out – and now she wants to charge us for the hotplate!
Ms. Beninato voiced an expectation that we wash the outside of her windows as we were moving out and demanded to be emailed a picture of the ladder we’d be using. The lease makes no mention of cleaning the outside of the windows. This is not normally a task included in the tenant’s responsibilities. She also demanded photos of the ladder and vacuum with which we would clean the ceiling and walls. We sent a picture of the vacuum and ladder. She then wanted a picture of the attachment that goes on the vacuum! We sent her a picture of the attachment despite once again feeling harassed and micromanaged. We did indeed clean the ceiling as per the lease but refused Ms. Beninato’s inappropriate request that we supply a ladder and clean the outside of her windows.
The one damage that occurred while we lived there were scratches to the styrofoam insulation board that Ms. Beninato has separating the house into two rental units and serving as ineffective soundproofing. We are sorry for this and expect to be charged. I thought about replacing the board myself from Home Depot. These types of silver-backed Styrofoam board cost around $15.
We left the place particularly clean (and photographed it) hoping that Ms. Beninato would give us our deposit back. It’s much cleaner than it was when we moved in but she is claiming that it’s dirty. We feel that it is unorthodox, unprofessional and actually predatory that Ms. Beninato does not provide a damages-checklist and that she uses her legal knowledge to inappropriately lord power over her tenants. The former tenants complaint on the Rental Protection Agency website illustrates a similar situation and abuse of power. The other tenant living in the house at the same time we lived in the house left without notice in the midst of an argument with Ms. Beninato regarding a phone cable.
We request our deposit returned in full, with the exception of a reasonable charge in Ms. Beninato chooses to replace the scratched Styrofoam board.
We hope that this complaint helps other would-be tenants to avoid the experience that we have had.
Deposit Problems | Case#**-*007
Columbia,
South Carolina -
29206
I\\\'ve not received my deposit, which I should\\\'ve received, during the month of June, 2018. I left, per the instructions, the keys and forward address, on the kitchen counter, and I have proof, to verify. However, when I left voice message, for property manager, on June 25, 2018, I received a return voice mail stating that, security deposit hadn\\\'t been forwarded, because no forwarding address was on file. I sent another voice mail on June 26, 2018, whereby I submitted forwarding address, twice.
Consequently, I request an immediate forwarding, of my security deposit, or I\\\'ll seek legal action, seeking monetary reparations.
Bed Bugs | Case#**-*846
WARSAW,
IN -
46582 6439
Moved into apartment a little over a month ago. Furniture that we brought in was given by a friend who had no bed bugs in their home. Started noticing bites & welts on us after a few weeks. Checked furniture & didn’t see any signs of bed bugs. Now have found live bed bugs when sitting on floor in living room, on couch and in beds. Manager is saying that our renters insurance should cover it but thought it was the responsibility of the apartment complex to take care of bed bugs especially since they were there so soon after we moved in. Manager said that there was an inspection done before we moved in showing no bed bugs. But when we asked to see report, she said that she doesn’t have anything there she can legally give us. Also, saw a review online that someone else had bed bugs at the apartment complex and the management did not use effective treatment to get rid of them. https://www.apartmentratings.com/in/warsaw/kuder-estates-apartments_574267420046582/review-112473403/
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.
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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
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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.)
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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.
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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.
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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)
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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.
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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.
