Landlord Complaint Record: #23-2666

Meadow Ridge    |    Grace Boge    |    West Des Moines    ,    Iowa 50266    Landlord Complaint 23-2666


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CASE CLOSED MEDIATION REFUSED May 5, 2014


WARNING! This property/ landlord refused to mediate a fair resolution or response to this complaint. Landlord refused to cooperate.
 



Case Number : 23-2666 Filing Date : Aug 7, 2013
Investigating Agent : Kept Private Case Disposition : Mediation Refused
Complaint Level : Code Landlord Response : Case Closed

SUPPORTING DETAILS
Type Title / Link Posted By Date Uploaded Comments
upload Kept Private Renter Aug 27, 2013
This is a copy of the email I was sent, telling me to find a sublet and leave my apartment.
upload Kept Private Renter Aug 7, 2013
This is a copy-and-paste of the email exchange between the landlord and myself. Please note the terms of the lease agreement and the landlord's unprofessionalism, including accusing me of lying and also inviting me to move out next year.
upload Kept Private Renter Aug 7, 2013
This is a copy-and-paste of the email exchange between the landlord and myself. Please note the terms of the lease agreement and the landlord's unprofessionalism, including accusing me of lying and also inviting me to move out next year.
upload Kept Private RPA Mailing Center Aug 9, 2013 The following attachment is a copy of the mailed complaint notice that was processed and sent out the Landlord/ Manager.

LANDLORD / MGR : Grace Boge RENTER : Kept Private
Property Name : Meadow Ridge      
Address : 1301 49th St. Address : Kept Private
City, State - Zip : West Des Moines, Iowa - 50266. City, State - Zip : West Des Moines, Iowa - 50266.
Phone : Kept Private Phone : Kept Private

COMPLAINT : Repair issues, landlord very rude and unprofessional, where to begin?
Fair Resolution according to renter :
  1. fix air conditioner 2. fix ceiling properly 3. reimburse for RPA fees 4. walk-through upon move out June 2014.

RENTAL DETAILS
Address               :   1301 49th St. #24
City, State - Zip   :   West Des Moines, Iowa - 50266.

COMPLAINT DETAILS (from renter)

I am doing this as a last resort. I moved into my apartment end of May/beginning of June 2012. I didn't have any issues at first, my landlord was nice and very accommodating to me as a renter. I don't know what has changed, but I am now having many issues. I was told if I signed a new lease agreement, I would get new appliances. I FINALLY did, but delivery was delayed multiple times, and I have the emails to verify this. Since I moved in, there has been an issue with the ceiling in the living room, where it was painted/repaired improperly. If the apartment above me is jumping around or anything, the ceiling flakes down onto my furniture and carpet. This has been over a year now that it needed to be fixed. I took a video of what happened one time due to this happening. I had a toilet that wouldn't stop running, and it didn't get tended to for a few days--keep in mind, the landlord pays for water. Most recently, I had noticed a weird smell in my apartment. Landlord came to check it out, and said the air conditioner air filter needed to be changed. I told her I would change it the next day. Then later on, the air stopped working. I observed that it had ice on it, and appeared to be frozen up. This was last night. Today she emailed me back and accused me of being negligent and it being my fault. She was extremely rude in the email, and even went to far as to tell me that they were only responsible for normal wear and tear, and that other repairs would be charged to me. The lease agreement does not say this--it states that SHE is responsible for it. I explained this, and her reply to me was VERY rude and unprofessional. I said please PLEASE just have someone come take a look at it, and now she will not respond to me. I have spoken to other tenants in my building about how rude she is, and how everyone seems to have different rules. I have videos of the issues, and email correspondence that I can show, plus other people's reviews about her on apartmentratings.com, as to how awful she is. I just want what was promised to me when I moved in--a clean, comfortable apartment, where repairs are tended to in timely manner. As I said, it didn't used to be this way. It used to be much better. I would like the air conditioner properly fixed, the ceiling properly fixed, a reimbursement for fees paid to RPA for the complaint, and a walk-through when I move out of the apartment in June 2014, with myself, the landlord, and witnesses present to ensure I get my deposit back.

LANDLORD / TENANT RESPONSES (2)
From Date IP Address Response
Renter Aug 12, 2013 165.206.16.130 1. As of Friday afternoon, 8/9/13, the air conditioner was fixed. In regards to the landlord's statement that I "refused" to go to Lowes--this is the reason why I request everything from her in writing. I specifically asked her if the air conditioning would run without the air filter being replaced until the next day, and she said that it would. Saying that I "refused" is another lie. I have had a problem with the ceiling very frequently. I have expensive furniture, and the property put in new carpet when I moved in. When the tenant above me is loud and moving around in that area, it flakes off onto my floor and onto my furniture. I can provide a video of this happening. I have been promised repeatedly that it will be fixed, and time and time again have been delayed due to various reasons. In regards to the new appliances, I was promised new appliances if I renewed my lease. It was NOT a request made by me, it was an INCENTIVE offered to stay in the complex. ALSO it was offered to renew my lease with a increase in the rent. When my rent is increased, I expect better service. Both deliveries were not delayed by a few days, but rather a few weeks. Also, I was not notified of the delay until I specifically had to ask what the situation was. When I am offered an incentive to sign a new lease, I would like to actually be GIVEN THE INCENTIVE IN THE TIME IT IS PROMISED. Like with my ceiling, I WANT IT REPAIRED BECAUSE I WAS TOLD IT WOULD BE. It is not just a cosmetic situation when the ceiling is physically flaking off. You may visit http://www.apartmentratings.com and look up "Meadow Ridge: West Des Moines" in order to see what other people have to say about the building as well. Additionally, per the lease agreement, it does not state that the tenant is responsible for ANY maintenance of furnace/air conditioner, and that this should be the responsibility of the landlord. I have an email dated June of 2012 stating the air filter was changed, so assumed it would be changed again in June of this year. What my lease specifically asks me to do, I have complied with. If I am to comply with additional requirements, that needs to be included in the lease agreement. Additionally, the next day I went to Lowe's and bought a package of air filters, only to come home and have the landlord tell me she had replaced it already. Why didn't she just do that in the first place, and I could have bought one, and given it back to her? Makes no sense to me.

Explanation: Air conditioner has been fixed, and I am appreciative of this repair. The ceiling needs to be fixed in a timely manner, which I believe 30 days would be sufficient amount of time. Additionally, I will not forego my request for a walk-through inspection with witnesses present upon move out in June 2014. I will have paid $1100 in security deposit, and want to know immediately if any will be withheld, and if so, for what. I feel that is a fair way to ensure that both landlord and I are satisfied with that upon my exit. As I stated, prior to the issue with my appliances, I've had no issues with the landlord, and I don't really have an issue now. I feel like she is trying to do a difficult job, and with an older building like we have, a lot of things will break and need repaired. However, I feel like if communication improved--for instance, with the stove and dishwasher, just keeping me in the loop would have avoided a lot of my problems. Same with the ceiling. Just keeping me abreast of the situation would be helpful going forward. People like to know what is going on with their apartment, and should not have to chase down the landlord to find things out.
Renter Aug 12, 2013 165.206.16.130 Offer an Alternative Resolution.
Landlord Aug 9, 2013 75.170.174.69 Explain why you can't accept / Offer Alternative Resolution.

INVESTIGATING AGENT - REMARKS (14)
Agent Date Response
SYSTEM May 5, 2014 REFUSED RESOLUTION: The Landlord or Manager has REFUSED to resolve this complaint. The RPA has made beyond reasonable efforts to work with the Landlord / Manger to find a resolution to the complaint. Management has refused all reasonable measures to resolve this complaint. Due to the unwillingness from management , the RPA has no choice but to close this case with a negative disposition. Case Closed.
SYSTEM Aug 27, 2013 New file uploaded by Tenant.
SYSTEM Aug 9, 2013 PENDING LANDLORD RESPONSE: The landlord or manager have been provided with the following response deadline: August 15, 2013 This deadline provides a reasonable time frame of 3 days for delivery of written notice and 3 days to respond to case # 23-2666 as outlined in the mailed notice. THIS CASE IS PENDING RESPONSE FROM LANDLORD OR MANAGER.
SYSTEM Aug 9, 2013 LANDLORD / MANAGER MAILING: Complaint Notice is being delivered to:
Grace Boge
1301 49th St.
West Des Moines, Iowa 50266

USPS Mail center has confirmed acceptance of the complaint notice parcel and provided confirmation ID: 42024330
SYSTEM Aug 9, 2013 MAIL CONFIRMATION: The complaint notice has been processed and is currently in route for 23-2666.
SYSTEM Aug 9, 2013 COMPLAINT NOTICE PRINTED: The complaint notice has been successfully transferred to the nearest mailing center and is pending mailing confirmation.
SYSTEM Aug 9, 2013 Complaint Accepted by RPA and is pending further processing.
SYSTEM Aug 7, 2013 New file uploaded by Tenant.
SYSTEM Aug 7, 2013 New file uploaded by Tenant.
SYSTEM Aug 7, 2013 The RPA server has sent an initial email complaint notice to Grace Boge 23-2666 concerning the Complaint filed by the tenant: Repair issues, landlord very rude and unprofessional, where to begin?. The email address was provided by the tenant at the time of filing.
SYSTEM Aug 7, 2013 An email confirmation was sent to the tenant at 08-07-2013. The email included a confirmation of the complaint filing, case number, and pin.
SYSTEM Aug 7, 2013 CONFIRMATION OF COMPLAINT: A complaint about Repair issues, landlord very rude and unprofessional, where to begin? has been filed pertaining to 23-2666 or Grace Boge located in West Des Moines, Iowa 50266. Case is pending mailing confirmation.
SYSTEM Aug 7, 2013 Complaint 23-2666 has been filed and is in queue for further processing. Pending further updates and confirmation of mailing.