Rent Problems Are Frustrating; but you're not alone: Thousands of tenants rely on RPA to solve problems
Privacy Concern | Case#**-*130
NORWALK,
CA -
90650 2118
I was trying to sleep and I was getting to multiple text messages to my personal cellphone at 12am-12:49am. I felt very uncomfortable being in a group chat of 20 tenants from the apartments. This is not right that another tenant that is not the manager does this group chats.
Failure to Refund Security Deposit After Moveout | Case#**-*191
Cicero,
Illinois -
60804
Landlord has $1600.00 security Deposit Tenants Moved out of residence 5/15/2011. No rent was paid for May, tenants anticipated prorated amount to be deducted from security deposit. Landlord has failed to provide any documentation for repairs. Landlord has informed tenant that no portion of the security deposit will be refunded without providing any documentation or details of deductions. Multiple attempts have been made to contact landlord. Landlord has not responded to phone calls and refuses to communicate further to resolve this issue.
Landlord Harassment | Case#**-*635
North Las Vegas,
Nevada -
89081
My rent is due on the 15th and late on the 20th of each month. Since October, I have received 7 of the 5 day notices to pay rent or quit. Of these, 3 have been posted on my door, either the day before or 2 days after the date and time indicated on the notice. The last one they dated for March 7, 2018 at 12:00 noon, however, posted it on my door on 03/09/2018 after 6:00 P.M. My daughter and her husband were visiting me from Utah, and had left about 5:30 P.M. to go to the store. When they returned at 6:45 P.M. they brought it in to me. This was very embarrassing since my rent was not due for another 6 days so it most certainly was not late.
They send the owner a letter every month on the 6th telling him that I am delinquent in rent and that they have contacted me by phone as well as posting notices to collect the rent. These are false and slanderous statements. The owner responds advising that my rent is not due until the 15th to which they reply that they know this, and if I don\'t pay it on the 15th I\'ve been made aware and they will proceed with eviction.
By their own statement on each notice they have delivered, they have committed 7 or more counts of perjury as none have been served on the date, time, or manner indicated on the notices.
I truly feel that they are harassing me and causing a very uncomfortable living situation. My lease ends on May 15th, however I want to move as soon as possible. I don\'t want to deal with this another 2 months.
Refuse To Return Deposit | Case#**-*948
BELMONT,
CA -
94002 2316
I move in the apartment on January 24, 2011 and pay a $2900 deposit. I moved out and returned keys on March 1, 2015, and although I cleaned
the unit, the landlord refuse to return the deposit, claiming squatters moved in.
Criminal Activity At IMT City Park | Case#**-*265
DENVER,
CO -
80206 1580
Since October of 2017 myself & many other tenants have been dealing with continued theft within our apartment complex. When the new property manager came on she decided to no longer accept packages for tenants. So all of our mail is being left in a room with no windows, no cameras, etc. And someone who lives or works here is stealing upwards of 10+ packages per day. The regional manager, and the property manager are both extremely aware of the situation. Yet they still won\\\\\\\'t accept packages for us (this was how it was always done before new management or anywhere else I have lived) or take any preventative steps to catch this person or prevent it from occurring. Tons of residents have made complaints and we simply are told it isn\\\\\\\'t their responsibility. Every day I go to the mail room and christmas gifts are ripped open and stolen & packages are strewn about everywhere with the contents spilled out or completely gone. This is a daily occurrence and the tenants have no idea what we can do to have our property safe and our packages accepted from the property manager (as it use to always be done this way) in order to not have our stuff stolen. The attitude of the IMT company, the regional manager and property manager has been nothing but apathetic and completely unacceptable. We, as tenants, cannot get anything taken care of here. We are simply brushed off and I feel as if our rights as tenants are being violated. What can we do to solve this issue. The tenants all feel as if our hands are tied. And I am tired of seeing everyone\\\\\\\'s christmas gifts being stolen and ransacked within our building every single day, while no one with IMT cares or takes any action whatsoever. Also, it would be nice to understand why my rent went up, but yet there are larger units then mine for much less. Please help, we are tired of being taken advantage of and watching our personal property be stolen. Thank you. Krystal Dodson
Is keeping full deposit | Case#**-*058
omaha ,
Nebraska -
68131
When I moved out of this house we had cleaned the house from top to bottom even shampoo the carpets. Landlord would not come do a walk through while we were there to inspect the home. there was no damage caused by us the 2 yrs we lived there. however the ceiling in the kitchen fell down, the basement flooded and mold was growing in the basement. We did owe $200 for rent when we left so landlord can keep that but is stating that due to late rent,fees, cleaning, and repairs we are out our $1000. We had not been under a lease it ran expired after 12 months but in that lease it did state we would not be held liable for normal wear and tear. I believe landlord does not want to give us our deposit due to him wanting to sell the house and his homes not being rented like they had been.
Breach Of Habitability | Case#**-*173 Shortly after moving in, we began to discover bed bugs in our apartment and bites on our bodies. Upon looking up the building's address on the bed bug registry online, we discovered that the previous tenants had an infestation and moved out the day before we moved in. This was also confirmed by the building manager. Extermination services have yet to be performed by a licensed professional and the problem has not been remedied. The Warranty of Habitability has been violated and we are requesting prompt resolution, as this is a public health matter.
Repair Issue | Case#**-*145 The washer machine in "room 4" has 2 machines and one of them has been filled with water for over a month and the other one doesn't complete the spin cycle. I have to ring out the water from my cloths in the trash and spend more money to get them dry. I've called multiple times and so has my husband. The office told me it's my responsibility to call the company where the machines are from, and so I've called the company to tell them a week ago. But I have not had any results.
Noise Complaint | Case#**-*673
TAMPA,
FL -
33617 1141
“quiet enjoyment” noise complaint. I moved in in 11/2019 and prior to doing so I inquired about noise and was advised this was a peaceful property. Since moving in, I have yet to enjoy peace. My neighbors upstairs constantly stomps and drags things on the floor causing contact noise. This has interrupted my sleeping habit I work from home and this has caused issues with employment. I have stressed to Nicole in several occasions we need a resolution. I also requested the contact number to corporate or upper management and my requests have been ignored. The stomping is so bad I have recordings and it has caused the fixtures in my bathroom to break. My ceiling fan shakes constantly. Management is aware of the issue but has failed to resolve it. I understand it is a violation of “quiet enjoyment” and this has made my life HELL. I advised management that if I were the one causing the issues I would have been evicted by now. I pay my rent I don’t cause any issues all I ask for is peace. I am unsure of what else to do because I am tied into a lease I just need some assistance getting this resolved.
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.
