Rent Problems Are Frustrating; but you're not alone: Thousands of tenants rely on RPA to solve problems
Deposit Problem | Case#**-*678
CHICOPEE,
MA -
01020 2746
No papers were given to me to sign to formally close any deal. I let him know not even Two days before that I no longer need the room.
Pest Control Issues | Case#**-*232 We have moved into the Warwick at 1131 University Blvd. West Silver Spring M.D. 20902 Apt #1114. Since moving in, we have had multiple issues with pests, roaches and fleas. My wife has been multiple multiple times, with one set of bites leading to celluitis requiring antibiotic treatment. She now has scars from bug bites all over her body. I myself have several bug bites as well. Our apartment recently had pest control spray 10/23/13, but we continue to see roaches and my wife continues to be bitten. This has been brought up to the managament staff and a particular manager named Shawn has disputed our claims of our apartment being infested, and refuses to provide or deal with any fair resolution. I'm not sure how to go about reaching a fair resolution they are not taking responsiblity for an apartment that has roaches and flees. I would appreciate any form of help in dealing with this matter. Thank you greatly.
Repair Issues/Unsanitary Conditions/ Black Mold/Appropriate Contact Info | Case#**-*183
Valley Village,
California -
91607
I have repeatedly sent emails to the management company and former manger (who apparently quit) trying to get my repairs accommodated...I gave a list and also a time frame of which i would be available. Instead of being professional and accommodating, the management responded first with a unmerited "noise complaint", which was preposterous because there are several families on my floor with multiple children (that are home for the greater part of the day)...I have one daughter, who is in school until almost 6pm. Clearly, this complaint was retaliation from the management for my frustration of not getting my repairs made, concerns addressed, or even last few emails . They did not even reply to my last few emails, yet the sent me that fraudulent complaint. There is not even a manger for this building. The "Watermarque Company" that I have been emailing has refused to give me the owner's name and contact info, they would not even tell me their name (of the person that initially emailed me back). I replied to the "noise complaint", expressing my frustration for their attempt to retaliate against a tenant instead of responding to repairs and concerns with professionalism...they then responded by saying that they grant my request to break my lease, which is absurd because I never made that request. All actual requests that I have made have been ignored. It was also brought to my attention by other tenants that there is black mold in this building. I have recently moved in and also made the management aware of additional "as is" damages that I observed that needed to be added to my move in sheet, so that I would not be held accountable. I also made them aware of my bedroom window not closing completely, as a result my room is freezing during the cool nights. There were several repairs/damages that I have voiced to them including there being something wrong my "filtered water" from the refrigerator...it tastes awful. I told them that the blinds that they previously repaired with paper and tape, instead of purchasing new ones, was unacceptable..as a result some are still missing while others are falling off. I emailed a detailed list with several things, yet nothing has been repaired, Now I feel like I am being harassed, and they are retaliating against me in hopes of eventually attempting to evict me instead of making necessary repairs.
Non Return of Deposit Never took possession of property | Case#**-*926 I never filled out an application but the prop manager said it was required that I fill out the rental reservation. I did not have the entire deposit so he took what I had and said it wasnt going to be a deposit but a holding fee to take the listing off the market . I adv I was unsure if I would take the property but he told me to fill out the paperwork anyway. I filled out the paperwork and have decided not to take the property a week later. I was told that I forfeited the entire deposit (1275.00) even though I have not taken possession of the property or filled out an actual lease. I have tried to speak with him and he yelled at me and hung up the line. I am unsure what to do. I am a single mother of 2 kids. Please help. I even told him that he can take a portion of the deposit (I assumed 175.00 was reasonable for a paperwork fee) and he said no.
Bed Bug Infestation | Case#**-*178
Carrollton,
Texas -
75010
Few days after moving in began seeing bites all over body. Requested unit be checked for bugs. First two inspections nothing detected. Third inspection dead bodies noted. A live bug noted on my floor which I killed and showed picture to the Terminix manager. He confirmed on the fourth inspection that was a bed bug and showed evidence of fecal matter on my ceiling. Initially I was offered another unit at no expense while mine was being exterminated. Manager Jennifer Mcelreath stated normally I would be charged, but she couldn't prove I was the cause of the infestation. Corporate denied her offer and said if I moved to a hotel the expense was on me. I have been forced to move to a hotel for health reasons. I am certain I had no bed bug problem prior to Springs at Indian Creek. I lived at my former building for almost three years without any of these issues. I had the same bed at my previous location. I am not convinced that whole building is not infested and am not inclined to return.
Heating And Ac Unit Issues | Case#**-*465
Atlanta,
Georgia -
30314
This has started since the day I moved into my apartment as still to now I have no proper heat and ac unit working! I moved int o the property of April of 2019 and yes to this day I have severe issues with my heating and ac unit. I also have rodent smells in apartment as well as roach infestation. The maintenance team came over last week and replaced the batteries in the thermostat and stated the the unit was working properly. I have no insulation around my bedroom windows which causes air to blow in through my apartment. Please help Peter Watkins to be removed from this nightmare at Residence at City Center Apartments.
January 20,2020
I am in an uphill battle with this heating and ac unit and I am highly stressed. I walked out of my apartment today and it is the same temperature as the outside temperature. This is a major inconvenience to me as I am standing citizen of the Atlanta Community. The heating and ac unit does not work in my apartment. I should not have to set my thermostat to 77 degrees and then wait 30 minutes for my apartment to heat. This is really honestly ridiculous and I should not be dealing with this matter at all in the middle of winter time. I am highly disappointed with BH Companies LLC and the unprofessional team of Residence At City Center Apartments. This has been an ongoing battle since I moved into the place. My issues with place are always addressed with a mere band aid or in some cases not even addressed at all. National statistics state that if a thermostat is set to 68 degrees it should be warm. I wish to be let out of this nightmare immediately with Residence At City Center Apartments. I do not wish to invest anymore time nor stress dealing with issues that a paying tenant should not at all be dealing with. The list of issues goes on with my apartment that is rather far fetched highly upsetting.I wish to be contacted immediately regarding this matter and definitely not by the unprofessional team onsite which recommended me to attach blankets over my windows and turn the thermostat to 80 degrees. I have been lied to since day one at this property regarding multiple matters and I am in distraught.
Deepest Regards,
Peter Watkins
682-323-9356
Final Bill After Move Out | Case#**-*387
TUSCALOOSA,
AL -
35405 1226
I was charged almost $700 after I moved out of my apartment for expenses that the landlord should accrue such as cleaning, changing the locks, painting, and replacing carpet. My apartment was left in good condition, I lived in student housing so I had one other room mate which I shared an apartment with and 2 other vacant units. My room mate did not move out as I did but I noticed that the entire apartment was redone after I moved out. Normally, when a student moves out another student moves in and takes his/her place and the room is cleaned and refurnished. However, when I moved my apartment was completely redone. It was mostly clean besides my room mate\\\'s things so I did not expect to pay much money when I moved out. Thus, I\\\'m assuming that they are attempting to charge me for the entire apartment and will later try to charge my room mate for the same move out expenses. However, I have reviewed my lease agreement and it states that the responsibility to pay for changing the locks and painting upon move out would be on landlord, not tenant. I didn\\\'t pay a security deposit and I thought that was sort of sketchy and now I believe I didn\\\'t pay a security deposit so that they could over charge me on my move out date. I am willing to pay a sensible amount of money for my part in moving but I refuse to pay for expenses that the landlord owes.
Occupancy Issue | Case#**-*042
Conway,
South Carolina -
29526
Rental agency signed me into a contract where I am paying a full yers rental amount but they will not give me immediate occupancy to make up 12 months of occupancy, only 11 & a half. I believe I should be able to occupy an entire years worth of rent or I should pay only for the time I am occupying their space. Also, I asked them 3 times for the appropriate regulatory angenys contact information so that I could make a complaint, and they have ignored all of my requests.
Failure To Return Refund Deposit | Case#**-*401 I lived at the rental property at 2193 E Laver st for almost 2 years. I was never let on paying the deposits or lease fees through strategic property management. After moving out of the home in March under the ok and agreement of the owners, 4 months later I still have not received my deposit. The owner and the landlord had both walked through the clean rental prior to my move out date. I had the home professionally cleaned and had taken care of as well as had the owner take care of any repairs while I lived there. There were no damages to the home. When I originally moved in the home had not been cleaned and we had to clean it ourselves. I left this home in better shape after 2 years then when I originally moved in. I have documentation for any payments and or cleaning preformed as well as pictures taken prior to moving out. I have contacted Scott Hardy the property management landlord multiple times via phone calls, texts and emails with little to no response. 2 weeks ago he sent me an email saying he would send the check out on Monday June 30th. Today is Monday July 14th and I have still have not received anything.
Bedbugs | Case#**-*997
VICTORVILLE,
CA -
92395 5714
on june 27,2012 i notified office that i thought i might have bedbugs it took over a week for them to have inspection. inspector found 1 bedbug. they 4 days later inspected rest of building stated no bed bugs were found. but found "carpet beetles" and did treat for that. i have been being bitten for apx 6 weeks. i have found 2 bed bugs on separate occasions. they are telling me that i have to pay for treatment. i have no new (used) things, have been to no hotels. i do not know where bugs could have come from.
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.
