Rent Problems Are Frustrating; but you're not alone: Thousands of tenants rely on RPA to solve problems
Uninhabitable Living Conditions | Case#**-*398
LOS ANGELES,
CA -
90006 4953
I went to sign the lease for my new apt on Saturday July 3rd, 2020. After being yelled at by the apartment manager, I was asked to sign a bed bed addendum- after already signing the apt lease. When I refused to sign the addendum saying that I would not be held responsible for charged incurred due to bed bugs, the apartment manager witheld my apartment keys. He then told me that my unit had been recently fumigated and that I should purchase my own bed bug spray due to a huge problem with this pest in the building, especially during summertime. Again, this was after I’d already signed the lease and was refused access to the unit I’d paid for. Out of desperation, I signed the addendum and was given my room keys. After waking up the morning after my first night, I saw one adult sized bedbug and baby larva in the middle of my living room floor. I immediately filed a complaint with the manager, and he ordered fumigation services set for Monday July, 12th. Due to the coercion and apparent infestation present, I asked to immediately vacate the unit and break the lease. On Friday, July 9th the building manager called me and forced me to comply with an impromptu inspection scheduled by the leasing company. I was not present, as I evacuated the unit as soon as I saw the bed bugs. After their “inspection”, the leasing manager, Grace, called me and said that the company checked and there were no bed bugs- which is not what I saw. She also said that the unit had no history of bed bugs before my tenancy, which directly conflicted with the information that the apartment manager told me when he suggested that I buy my own bed bug spray. Grace, the leasing manager then informed me that Portobello Leasing Company/Hoover Management Company, LLC blames me for the bed bugs, and suggested that I moved them in with my stuff- despite me never unpacking my items and living in an apartment with no bed bugs. They then informed me that I could not end my lease, I would be charged for the fumigation charges, and that the unit had no bed bugs before. I was appalled by the lies and coercion- this company is clearly taking advantage of people who have limited living options.
breach of lease | Case#**-*769
PALOS HILLS,
IL -
60465 1342
I signed a commitment to stay on for another year which I submitted by the due date, and now they are saying that my lease had to be signed by a certain date in April to receive this offer. I do not remember a due date on the original paperwork. I did receive a call from the office stating that my lease was ready, but never was I told that this was a time sensitive contract. My lease which I consider my contact also states on page 11 that this is an addendum between scenic tree condos and Linda Karpiesz for 7-107 dated 7-1-11. per agreement, the lessee SIGNING a 1-year lease will be entitled to 1/2 half off the first month rent. provided they are never late paying the monthly rent in the amount of 903.50.
I moved into Scenictree in 1992, left in 2000 with health issues, stayed with my daughter in Green Oaks, which is there partner rental and moved back in 2003. Every offer has been honored in the past. I have talked to other residents and they are also being coerced into things they have not agreed too.
Utility Shut-Off | Case#**-*736 Our landlord tried to evict us but the judge ruled in our favor and gave us a judgement of non-eviction. Now our landlord had the electricity shut off and told the electric company not to let us get them turned back on. I have 3 small children who needs lights. She is also refusing to take our rent payments
Late Fee And Eviction Harassment | Case#**-*084
MODESTO,
CA -
95355 3955
This correspondence is in regards 1220 McGuire Drive, Modesto, CA 95355 and the landlord/tenant relationship. Please note that during the last few months, I have been disturbed to see a pattern of action perceived as retaliation by you in regards to my assertion that I do not/did not owe to you $115 in late fees for December’s rent. To this date, I have 7 letters sent by your company as “Three Day Notice to Pay Rent or Quit” in regards to the late fee assumed on your part. Beyond the fact that I dispute my rent has ever been late to you, I also asserted in 3 of my phone calls in which I spoke with Chris (I believe that is her name; the lady who usually answers the phone at the office) and with Lindsay that I have never entered into a Late Fee Agreement with you as well as it being unlawful under Ca. Civil Code Section 1671.
It is additionally unlawful to evict a tenant for late fees as per the Department of Consumer Affairs in California with whom I have now filed 2 complaints against your actions. Continuing to mail me 3 day eviction notices beginning in late December (and your failure to return my phone calls to discuss this) has begun to cause a great deal of emotional distress in being harassed and threatened with eviction continually for a $115 late fee that does not exist; thus leaving my minor son and I without a home that we have superbly taken care of for almost 6 years now. As you no doubt know, retaliation by a landlord is illegal in California under Ca. Civil Code Section 1942.5. Please understand that while we know that we are expected to follow every tenant duty under law, landlord retaliation shall not be tolerated. You have now attempted to harass me through another eviction notice for “not paying an additional rent of $50” that I received today in the mail. First: in the state of California it is unlawful to raise a rent more than 10% in any 12 month period without 60 days notice. You raised my rent by 15% in July 2016, raising it another $50 puts that at 20%, which would require a 60 day notice. Additionally, a landlord may not retaliate against a tenant for asserting their legal rights for 180 days. You attempted to raise my rent one month after my first assertion under California Civil Codes of your 3 day eviction notices over a late fee that we have no agreement for – this IS unlawful and retaliatory. We reserve the right to pursue any civil action for retaliation.
Rodent Infestation/Animal Cruelty | Case#**-*354
Columbia,
Maryland -
21045
We currently have several squirrels that reside in our ceiling. This problem was filed with the front office on 12/31/2011 via email and phone. Their solution was to have the maintenance staff of the apartment (not a pest control service) cut a 2 foot by 3 foot hole in our bedroom ceiling and install a rodent trap (the hole is closed up with plywood). It is now March 12th, 2011 and they have caught 3 squirrels and the trap is still in our ceiling, along with the 2 foot by 3 foot hole. On several occasions we have contacted the front office when a squirrel has been caught, and they refused to come out and take care of it, stating that it is "not an emergency." Squirrels have sat in that trap in our bedroom ceiling for days on end making loud noise and essentially starving while we are forced to sleep in our living room due to the noise. I can't imagine this is the correct and legal response to this problem and we are simply interested in resolving this problem, as we have had to deal with this for almost 2 months.
Repair Issue/ Unsafe Living | Case#**-*586
Darby ,
Pennsylvania -
19023
I have been having repair issue since the day I moved in. There was an updated window in the bathroom that needed repair immediately. The landlord nor the property manager has done anything about it since December. There is also structur damnage under the sink. There is mold under some parts of the carpet that I had to rip up. The landlord has been sending some people out to look at the work and don\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'t do anything about it. They have me a lease with wrong information on it.! That I\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'ve been asking to be fixed. There is no one to help me with these issue. I have plenty of pictures.
Unlawful Eviction, Landlord Harassment, Breach Of Agreement | Case#**-*920
Boiling Springs,
South Carolina -
29316
We agreed to to do some work on the trailer for free rent. We replaced the carpet with alminate flooring through the whole house painted the whole house patched the walls and cleaned up. Working on killing the mice infestation with our own money. Instead of giving us free rent or any form of payment he refused my rent on Saturday and Monday I had eviction papers on my gate. Then did an inspection of the house even though he doesn’t repair anything. And used police for intimidation. When he would call he would call every 45 mins til he got an answer. Won’t give a copy of the lease. Shows up whenever he wants. He has gone to all our neighbors claiming we haven’t paid our rent in 2 months. But we always paid him on time. Honestly he scares me and would love to move but need some time to find somewhere to go
Scam | Case#**-*249
NEW BROCKTON,
AL -
36351 8509
In the beginning process I was concerned that if the agreement was even legal and I had many questions that were unanswered .his representative kick me out of the mailbox by putting a lock on box so no mail can be place in or come out of mailbox after our agreement
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.
