tenants have rights, solving security deposit problems is your right...
Every day, tenants like you, turn to the RPA to quickly get deposits refunded & unfair charges dropped.Filing a Complaint with the RPA is the fastest and most effective way to get your deposit refunded and unfair deductions dropped. - even attorneys rely on the RPA to help solve dispute problems for their clients. As a tenant you have rights to fight for your every penny of your deposit. Yes, the RPA fight to get your deposit back.
What Security Deposit Problems Can the RPA solve?
Did you know... the RPA accepts all deposit complaints, but these are the most common complaints resolved by our organization:
Security Deposit Refunds
Getting your security deposit back promptly.
Charges to Security Deposit
Unfair, False, Unreasonable, or other types of deductions
TIP: On the complaint form you can request that your landlord reimburse you for the $35 complaint filing fee. (that's the only required fee to file a complaint)
Rent Problems Are Frustrating; but you're not alone: Thousands of tenants rely on RPA to solve problems
Illegally Withheld Security Deposit, Uninhabitable Living Conditions | Case#**-*436
Red Hill,
Pennsylvania -
18076
We moved into filth, images prove from top to bottom that home was covered in urine (human and animal) sticky messes and filth in every corner. We were left this condition to clean and fix and no rental inspection was even done prior to RENTAL. The 3rd floor ceilings particle board in the attic, was bowing and detaching in places, the roof repair they did years prior left large chunks of slate debree above the moldy black covered insulation that actually began to collapse and that is dangerous. We never had ability to use as a room as they claim, no matter how they button things up to falsify photos reality shows how scammed my family has been. We almost applied our own dry wall to 3rd floor out of impending ownership because we are genuine people. From water damage in multiple locations, leaky chimney and gutter from hell (as landlord referred) 90% of trash from hired work was removed by tenant and 10% was piled in basement for entire duration of RENTAL, being it is not our responsibility to be servant as tenant paying rent. Landlord would pile trash and inform us to take out his trash consuming our trash days on several occasions, it was mid July after much of the HIRED work was complete that landlord stated he denied invoices and labor payments calling hired work sweat equity. That is ILLEGAL in the state of PENNSYLVANIA. All extra work we did (outside of hired work) was based on false pretense by landlord of SELLING home to us hence the 8 month lease! This was nothing shy of a scam and mid July was when we stopped ALL work, the home appeared as a construction site, uninhabitable conditions is a large list, doors don’t close, drafts, rotting 2nd floor deck beams, no kitchen sink or oven. No lights or working outlets. The defaults on landlords “lease” is basically everything.. landlord stated to keep photos of all work done because she knows someone who can get around inspection and we will take lie detectors any day, along with all written and image proof. We were manipulated and misled under false pretense and they obtained money and work and we had to even file in court to obtain our labor which has yet to be done. From letters mailed, emails and texts ignored regarding monies and concerns for rental this was a disturbing process that caused many sleepless nights and lack of income pending monies from landlords HIRED work. Who works for free? Manipulation even at points making us submit, until we caught onto laws and seeked help.
Black Mold | Case#**-*243
Gulfport,
Mississippi -
39501
We are sick from all this black mold growing in our attic
Uninhabitable Apartment | Case#**-*073
SAN JOSE,
0 -
95126 1515
Hot water tap in bathtub will not turn off. Water heater must be turned off and on in order to use hot water. Can not use hot water to shower, wash hands or dishes without turning on water heater. Water heater is very hot and I have burned myself many times while attempting to turn it on. Landlord got estimate for repair in mid-July but could not afford cost and asked if she could get it fixed on August 15. Have contacted landlord many times explaining the difficulty of situation and inquiring when plumbing will be fixed. Landlord promised to send a plumber on December 23 at 1:30 to look at plumbing. Neither landlord nor plumber showed up, however, a realtor and prospective buyers arrived at the time specified for the plumber.
Deposit Problems | Case#**-*826
Logan,
Utah -
84321
By Utah State law you have 30 days to refund our deposit. As of today 9/1/2013 it has been 47 days and we have yet to receive our deposit refund.
Breach Of Contract/ Disturbance From Neighbors | Case#**-*487
Las Vegas ,
Nevada -
89101
Tenant downstairs keep hitting the ceiling throwing things against the wall and making weird noises inside unit to disturb my sleep . This is a continuous problem she does this every night I am pregnant I work early in the morning and I\\\\\\\'m tired of it management is doing nothing about the problem .
Repair Issue, Paying Rent And Utility Bill, Breach Of Agreement. | Case#**-*070
DENVER,
CO -
80231 6718
Landlord does not fix repair issues. Water leaking, dishwasher broke. Need to pay rent and utility bill but did not provide a way to pay it. Don\'t accept personal check and don\'t know what balance is need to pay. Community so dirty and maintenance does not finishing work orders. I have to call them every week to fix problems. They charge over $45 a month for COMM fees but does not keep their part of agreement. NO ONE COMES TO FIX OR DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT!!! RESIDENT SUFFER TO MUCH!!!
Repair Problems | Case#**-*580
CREST HILL,
IL -
60403 2449
Has known about problems since moved and still refuses to fix. Has been told several times about repairs needed.
Bed Bugs | Case#**-*636
TAMPA,
FL -
33615 4546
My apartment is infested with bedbugs, I have lived here almost 5 years and have never had this problem before. We recently had new neighbors move in next door, 3 of them, within the last year alone. As well as new neighbors upstairs. It is quite possible that these bugs may have been brought in by these new neighbors. Therefore I feel I should not be responsible for the treatment of these bed bugs. Your cooperation in this matter is greatly appreciated.
Deposit Dispute 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 Me Get My Deposit Back?
As a tenant you have the right to get every penny of your deposit back. When you file a complaint through the Rental Protection Agency this starts a formal dispute resolution process in which the RPA will do everything in our power to see that your landlord promptly resolves your complaint. Landlords know that if they fail to cooperate with the RPA it can result in a negative public record that can make it hard for them to fill vacancies in the future.
Why is there a Filing Fee of $35
The $35 filing fee is the only required fee to process a complaint. The fee is required to help offset the cost of representing your complaint. The RPA complaint center is designed as a low cost legal solution for tenants and in most cases is more affordable than other legal options. Many tenants will compare the cost of filing a complaint to the cost of not filing a complaint. If you file a complaint and the problem is resolved will the solution be worth the cost of filing the complaint?
TIP: Don't forget, on the complaint form you can request that your landlord reimburse you for filing fee.
Most tenants file a complaint with the RPA to solve the problem such as getting a deposit refunded, or to get an unfair charge or deduction removed. However, some tenants file a complaint to report the landlord publicly as a warning to other tenants. When a complaint is filed against a landlord it will show up on their public record which is indexed by all major search engines. Filing a complaint is one way for tenants to stand up against bad landlords to warn future tenants about deposit problems they've had.
Does the RPA Guarantee to Solve My Deposit Refund Complaint?
We do guarantee to do everything in our power to solve each complaint that is filed. However, there are some situations where bad landlords fail to cooperate. The RPA can't force a landlord to comply if they refuse; but we can impact their public record which can make it difficult for them to find new tenants. We guarantee to represent the complaint and to create a public record against landlords that fail to resolve complaints.
Will My Name Show up Publicly?
No. After the complaint is closed and made public; your information (tenant name) is removed. During the complaint process your complaint can only be accessed through your case number and pin number. Both the landlord and tenant are assigned a pin number that is unique. The RPA protects tenant's privacy by blocking your name from the public record database. However, the record does show the landlord name.
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.
All 50 States have regulations that protect security deposits. In most cases the landlord is required to provide a refund within 30 days and must provide proof cost associated with charges or deductions against your deposit. Many states require the landlord to furnish copies of receipts for work completed. If you have a deposit refund dispute or feel your landlord is being unfair with your security deposit; you have rights. Filing a complaint is one of those rights.
