Rent Problems Are Frustrating; but you're not alone: Thousands of tenants rely on RPA to solve problems
Repair Issue | Case#**-*445
SAN FRANCISCO,
CA -
94121 3214
There has been black mold present in our building for over 30 days and the issue has not been addressed. The mold was wiped off yesterday, January 31st however, water damage is still present and no repairs have been made.
REPEATED HVAC/STRUCTURALLY UNSOUND | Case#**-*062
Shreveport ,
Louisiana -
71129
Since March of 2015, have been submitting work orders and complaints re: air conditioning. The work orders get \"marked complete\" nothing done. No flow to bedroom at first. Maintenance closed bathroom vent hoping to force flow to bedroom. I cannot use my stove or stove top or my dishwasher , because it gets so hot in my house ... My air stays set at 60° even when I\'m not home otherwise the temperature in my home is unbearable There is zero weatherstripping around any of my doors or windows My home started to cool once my boyfriend put my sliding glass door back on the track And also taped up the pipes on my air conditioning unit himself with electrical tape. Since then maintenance has returned , my home will not cool it is set at the lowest possible setting right now and it is still 78° in my house . The building I live in is also structurally unsound . I have photos and documents to prove every claim I am making u
Rea | Case#**-*107
PENSACOLA,
FL -
32507 1912
The property management company agreed to release me from my lease because of major plumbing problems. The company withheld $82.50 of my lease with unauthorised charges.
Bed Bugs | Case#**-*422
Macon ,
Georgia -
31210
New tenant April 29, moved in with new furniture still in plastic wrap... started to get bites a week into actually settling in.. noticed tiny brown bugs on the sheet only in bedroom area.... had to go to hospital with bites on face arm and back..swollen beyond recognition. .once researched the issue..reported to landlord..they immediately blamed me and daughter and said we have to.pay $1200 or more.if the whole building is infected. it\\\'s been 4 months have yet to sleep in bedroom or in comfort..had to get air mattresdls.. been sleeping in living room...this is horrible and I no longer care to stay hereumbol
Neglegence Of Landlord Owner Agreement & Contract For Tenants Health | Case#**-*315
TALLAHASSEE,
FL -
32304 4360
There was a leak coming from the upstairs bathrooms into my room for a year, before it was stopped. Me and all the tenants have had problems with health and becoming sick in the unit we lease under Stuart Mellish. I have had multiple ants, a brown lacrosse, and lizards enter my room. The smoke detectors are not in working order and there are signs of mold in the foundation as we keep having health problems. I have gone the doctor to check my chest for any signs, maybe being present in the ceiling above my room in the apartment. I have asked Stuart Mellish multiple times to have an inspector come check out his property we are renting. He has not sent an inspector or came to check on our situation even since I have moved in. I am not willing to stay in this apartment that is managed poorly, as we have to make our landlord send people to fix things constantly, instead of it being in regulation before we rent from Mr. Mellish. I have picture and documentation of everything that has happened. Please send an inspector to provide evidence that there is or isn\'t mold growing, from leaking water into the portion of the apartment that has had the problem for anyone in my room before and after me.
BLACK MOLD INHALATION | Case#**-*786 MY LANDLORD JAIME GALLEGOS HAS NOT BEEN DOING REPAIRS TO THIS HOUSE THAT WE RENT FROM HIM. THIS HOUSE HAS HAD A SERIOUS ROOF LEAK PROBLEM FOR A LONG TIME AND HE LETS HIS TENANTS MOVE INTO THIS HOUSE OF HIS THAT HE OWNS AND LETS THEM DEAL WITH THE LEAKING OF THIS ROOF, THE BAD SMELL OF BLACK MOLD IN THE AIR AND IN THE CEILING DUE TO THE MOLD BUILDING UP IN THE CEILING, AND HIM TELLING HIS TENANTS THAT HE'S TIRED OF TRYING TO FIND THE LEAK BUT DOES NOT HAVE A PROFESSIONAL COME FIX IT. EVERY DAY FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS, I, MY WIFE AND MY 2 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER HAVE BEEN DEALING AND LIVING WITH THIS SMELL OF BLACK MOLD AND THE ROOF LEAKING ALONG WITH OTHER CONCERNS ALL BECAUSE OUR CITY DOES NOT HAVE THEIR OWN CODE INSPECTOR AND OUR LANDLORD IS TAKING VERY GOOD ADVANTAGE OF THAT. THE CITY CHARGES A LOW INCOME FAMILY LIKE OURSELVES $85 AN HOUR FOR AN INSPECTOR TO COME LOOK AT THIS PLACE. WE CANNOT AFFORD THIS AND THE LANDLORD KNOWS THIS AS WELL. THIS IS WHY WE ARE LIVING UNDER THESE CONDITIONS BECAUSE THERE ISN'T ANY CODE INSPECTOR TO VIOLATE HIM AND HE IS TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THAT. I NEED TO LET THIS BE KNOWN AND HOPEFULLY SOME JUSTICE WILL BE MADE. HE LET US MOVE INTO A HOUSE THAT IS COMPLETELY OUT OF CODE BECAUSE IT IS A VERY OLD HOUSE, AND REFUSES TO DO ANY REPAIRS TO IT AS WELL. WE ARE STILL LIVING HERE AND THE MOLD IS ONLY GETTING WORSE AND WE ARE INHALING IT AND HE HAS DONE NOTHING ABOUT IT. NOW THAT I EXERCISED MY RIGHTS TO HIM, HE IS RETALIATING AGAINST US AND NOW HE WANTS US OUT. THIS IS WHY I NEED TO FILE THIS COMPLAINT AGAINST HIM BECAUSE THE NEXT TENANTS WILL BE LIVING UNDER THE SAME CONDITIONS AND THAT'S NOT RIGHT WHAT HE IS DOING...
Bed Bugs, Water Problems, Broken Closet, Bare Minimum Help | Case#**-*151
Houston,
Texas -
77036
My closet shelf broke within two months of us moving in. Allen won\\\'t respond to anything unless we put it in writing and drop it off to him. No phone calls, emails or texts. We sent him a letter about roaches and the broken closet. I\\\'ve been getting bit since we moved in, we bombed the place twice and sprayed multiple things, figuring he hadn\\\'t cleaned the place of bugs prior. The vent in my restroom was still dirty and dusty upon move-in, I brought this to his attention and he said people\\\'s ideas of \\\"clean\\\" are different. My car was broken into so I couldn\\\'t afford my rent last month and all he said was \\\"It\\\'s not my problem.\\\" We told him about the bed bugs today and said we wanted to leave and once again he said \\\"It\\\'s not my problem.\\\" My roommate asked if he lived with bedbugs and he yelled it was none of her business. Kept repeating he\\\'ll just see us in court. We found out we are leasing from him, not renting, so we\\\'re hoping we can get help because he obviously doesn\\\'t care about anything about himself.
Bed Bug Infestation | Case#**-*101
Chicago,
Illinois -
60639
The exterminators have been by twice to treat my apartment but the bed bugs keep returning. The manager blames me for infestation but one of my neighbors also had bed bugs. I talked to another exterminator and they said that the treatment that was used wasn't strong enough to keep the bed bugs away. My main concern are my sister who is handicapped and my niece who is mentally challenged because the bed bugs tend to come out more in their room and they have shown multiple bites.
Breach of Agreement | Case#**-*809
Shullsburg,
Wisconsin -
53586
Landlord was called numerous times and talked to in person about our windows needing screens, as there is no air conditioner, the light fixture and the light switch in the bathroom do not work, and also about the front door missing the large window. The missing window is allowing outsiders to enter our home without a key. There are people walking around the empty downstairs apt in the middle of the night.
Unlawful Entry | Case#**-*400
CINCINNATI,
OH -
45224 3056
Landlord has had parties enter residence without proper notice on several occasions. One incident resulted in the event of my cat missing from my residence. Neighbors have complained of similar issues. This has personally affected me four times of note. I have given email and phone number on several occasions to remedy the issue and promises are made but never kept.
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.
