Rent Problems Are Frustrating; but you're not alone: Thousands of tenants rely on RPA to solve problems
DEPOSIT | Case#**-*931
GOODYEAR,
Arizona -
85338
TRIED TO OVER CHARGES AND PUT HOME IMPROVEMENTS ON ME TO DO FOR NEW RENTORS
Breach Of Verbal Agreement, As Well As, Repair Issues | Case#**-*571
SALIDA,
CA -
95368 9198
I have been accused of things, I haven\\\'t done. She is hostile and dramatic and tries to provoke a fight. She has thrown my food on the ground that I was fixing to eat 3 times. One time I called the Sheriffs. I was paying rent early for several months and I month when I couldn\\\'t, she turned off my cable and Internet to punish me. I have never had a key to the mailbox. I\\\'ll be on the phone and she will get in my face and yell at me. Carly\\\'s own animals(dog) come into my room because their afraid of her. Her and her boyfriend constantly fight steal my food, and make my dog and I afraid when they fight. The Stanislaus county Sheriff\\\'s, have been here more times than I can count. This house has been torn apart, and is considerably inconvenient to use. People in and out all night long, loud construction at odd hours in the night. I have pleaded to the county for help relocating, with no help. This is not home for me, I\\\'m more stressed out here than I am at work. I have applied to other places to move to, with no luck yet. I don\\\'t feel safe hereI make my own food in my room and was dishes in my bathroom sink. This is affecting my well being, my work, and my sense of security. There are animals in cages residing in the kitchen pooping and peeing smell and health hazard. She is vendictive and spiteful, and I don\\\'t trust her around my things I have stored in the garage. PLEASE HELP AND DONT LET HER RENT OUT ROOMS HERE ANYMORE. This residence is not appropriate for anyone to live here. Her pool has been a health hazard also. I\\\'m afraid so please help me.
Deposit Problem and Dispute over agreement terms | Case#**-*848
Yuma,
Arizona -
85365
I signed a rental app and provided my security deposit for the address on Mission St. 4 days later, TLC informed me that my pets were no longer accepted. They offered me a different home (7844 East Olive Anne Ln, Yuma, AZ 85365) but only gave me 3 pics of interior. I said I would rent that home but would need to see more pics or the home itself prior to finalizing a contract. TLC knew I would not be in Yuma until July (when I transferred - military orders); I asked about how to handle my security deposit check and TLC told me we would work it out when I arrived in Yuma. I arrived a week early to view the home and saw that it was not as advertised. It is a 1.75 bath home and I specifically was looking for 2+ baths with a garden tub in the master bath. TLC disputes the garden tub part but has admitted to misrepresenting the number of baths. As soon as I saw the house had no tub in the master bath and that there was only 1 other bath, I told TLC that I would not be renting that home as it was misrepresented. I attempted to arrange to rent the previously-denied home on Mission St, in which the owner changed their mind to accept my pets after further discussion, but TLC demanded that I forfeit my $1,295 and provide an additional $1,295 deposit to make that happen. Of particular note, the response TLC's agent repeatedly gave me when I discovered the bath discrepancy in June 2012 was that "it's a rental". I found that very unprofessional. During the following week, where I tried to work out renting the Mission St home, TLC's co-owner was very difficult to get on the phone and, at one point, hung up on me after berating me about "harassing" his staff.
TLC contends that I did not mention my pets until they received my rental app mailing on May 16, 2012 and that they notified me immediately that there may be an issue with my pets once they did have my documents. I have email and fax docs that clearly identify my intent to have pets in the property (med-size dog and a cat) and that show TLC's acknowledgment of this fact (no concern expressed to me) - the fax was sent on May 14, 2012 and acknowledged via email on May 15, 2012. I also have TLC's and my phone records, as well as all of TLC's emails, that show they made no contact with me from the time they received my docs until telling me I could no longer rent the Mission St home on May 18, 2012; the emails are all-inclusive, as TLC themselves provided to me all emails between TLC and me.
Unreasonable noise from neighbor | Case#**-*679
Red Lion,
Pennsylvania -
17356
Below is a letter we gave to Mr. Singal which best describes the situation. In addition the problem continued after this letter. Again on January 15th, Larry Markle rang the doorbell complaining loudly of my grandson being there, this was approximately 9:45pm and my son and family were getting ready to leave. The argument continued out in front of apartments with Larry calling the police on us. The police arrived spoke with both of us and left without voicing any concerns to us. We even had another tenant who vouched for us and reported that Larry was a problem. The next morning, Larry did his normal banging but only twice this time. As well the landlord has said that he has spoken with Larry Markle but the man continues to do what he does, so not sure if he cares or the landlord is not really saying anything to him.
As of this day, we, the tenants of 6 Country Manor Court, Tobias and Janet Berkofsky, are informing (as we have before on two prior occasions) that we are unhappy with the living situation at the above premises. The two prior occasions of notification were November 24, 2011 at approximately 4:30pm and December 30, 2011 at approximately 7:45am.
The reason for the displeasure is to do with the tenant residing at 5 Country Manor Court, who goes by the name of Larry Markle. It is also to our understanding that this tenant is considered to be the “manager” of the properties. It is also to our understanding that this tenant asked for us to be placed in the apartment above him after meeting us when we toured the apartment. In addition to the two dates listed above, this tenant complained on the day of move in that we were making too much noise, especially my two year old grandson (tenant at apartment 8 were witness to this as well as the six people helping us move in). Though we felt this was a little unreasonable we tried to keep my grandson as quiet as possible. The next occasion was Thanksgiving eve and day: my son and his family spent the night and my grandson was in bed by 8pm, as well as my granddaughter who is an infant, the following morning at 6am, Larry began banging on the ceiling of his apartment (throughout the whole apartment) which is our floor, he did this for quite some time until everyone including my grandchildren were awaken. My husband went down to ask him what was the problem and he told my husband that he wasn’t feeling good and needed help so he was banging for our help, though his wife in the bed next to him would
Management Refusing to Treat Bed Bugs in the Apartment | Case#**-*490
Scranton,
Pennsylvania -
18505
We suspected bed bugs in one of the rooms in our apartment on 1/11. We promptly threw away the furniture and contacted exterminators for a free inspection. On 1/15, they confirmed that we have bed bugs in our apartment. We reported this issue to the Management on 1/18.
On 1/19 the Management sent us a letter stating that "most likely" we are responsible for the problem and hence we will have to bear the cost of the treatment. They also said that if by 1/21 we dont contact the office, they will schedule the treatment on their own and deduct the cost from our deposit.
On 1/21 we contacted the Property Manager in person. She was very rude and unresponsive and put the blame solely on us saying we are responsible for the problem. When we highlighted that we took this apartment just 6 mths back and maybe the bed bugs were always there; she said that they always "steam clean" an apartment which will kill "most of the" bed bugs. Please note that the Manager did admit that steam cleaning is not the right solution but when we argued saying we could have inherited the bed bugs from the previous owner, she refused to listen to us.
We highlighted our concern that there are other apartments in this complex that have this problem and there could be a recurrence of this across the complex. The Management was extremely rude once again and their response was "if other people choose to live with bed bugs that is their problem - we don't have the money to go and inspect all apartments. If you think someone has bed bugs, don't go to their apartment, don't allow them in your apartment, don't do car pooling. If someone vacates an apartment and we see bed bugs, we will treat them". As can be seen, the Management clearly denied providing the residents a safe, habitable living environment - which is the primary responsibility of the landlord. Also, their admission of their approach shows that there is a strong possibility of bed bugs being transmitted from the outgoing resident to the in
Tenant Without Pay Squatting And Abusing Other Tenant | Case#**-*695
CHICAGO,
IL -
60616 3261
One tenant refuses to pay rent but also refuses to leave the property because the landlord is not in the state to reinforce his eviction. Instead the other tenant harasses, abuses, blackmails and threatens the other tenant if they do not allow them to stay.
Landlords Have Not Returned Security Deposit And Have Not Paid Judgment | Case#**-*402
NORTH GRAFTON,
MA -
01536 1531
On 6/1/11 I moved into 194B Worcester St, North Grafton MA 01536 where the Snyders were the landlords. I paid a security deposit in the amount of $800 in the form of a check for which I did not receive a receipt. On 6/4/2018, I vacated the premises but have not received my security deposit. Before I vacated the apartment, Mr. Snyder assured me that I would be receiving a full refund of my security deposit. In addition, I received 2 text messages (6/20/18 and 7/6/18) assuring me that I would be receiving a full refund of my security deposit. On 8/13/18 I sent a demand letter citing the appropriate statute and again requested the full refund of my security deposit. The Snyders were ordered to pay a judgment of $2680 plus $50 court costs plus reasonable attorney fees on 10/29/18, yet they have not paid the judgment ordered.
Return on deposit | Case#**-*021 I would like my return of my full deposit. Before having to go to court. By law I believe landlord has 21 days to return deposit and send me a letter or I can take this to court and get 2 or three times the deposit. I want $1000 or I will file a case in court.
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.
