Rent Problems Are Frustrating; but you're not alone: Thousands of tenants rely on RPA to solve problems
False Damages And Collections | Case#**-*016
Fayetteville,
North Carolina -
28304
Landlord never informed us that we did not \"pass\" inspections. We were charged for items in our apartment that we should not have been charged (ie. microwave door- our microwave was never broken, window blinds- we have receipts and photos showing we put brand new ones in before move out, a battery for a smoke detector which is required by law to be kept up to date by maintenance, a false carpet replacement fee- they knew we had a dog so they said they had to replace our carpet but he never had any accidents and we steam cleaned our apartment before move out). We were never sent a bill, and were sent straight to collections without any notice of charges. Landlord has already admitted that some of the repairs were incorrect and has been unable to provide invoices or proof that anything we were charged for was actually replaced or broken. They claimed we left no forwarding address but could provide no proof. Additionally we had our address forwarded by USPS so if they had even attempted to send us an invoice it would have been directed to our current address.
Bed Bugs | Case#**-*347
Morrow,
Georgia -
30260
Moved to Windsor Landing in Jan 1, 2011 and this problem started with my disable daughter who is seventeen. She was being bit all over her body in the my bedroom. I then began to be bitten. I have bites on arms, legs, back. I can't sleep at night. I reported this problem beginning in January. I had a exterminator come by and he found one bed bug. The rental office had a exterminator spray and then they returned on March 9, 2011. I had to remove everything to the Living Quarters and place all my clothing in the dryer. I am still being bitten after all of this. I am not wanting to live like this. My daughters bites are very severe. We have marks all over our body.
Landlord Habitability Liability And Harassment | Case#**-*393
WEST HILLS,
CA -
91304 2126
this property does not have a smoke detector fire extinguishe, or proper heating and cooling. the landlord complains about my using utilities and will not allow me to use the light above my back door where I live in a wooded, dark area. this landlord has taunted me psychologically and attempted to sexually assault me. I have also filed a discriminatory complaint against him for racial discrimination and gender discrimination with the Fair housing authority
Pest Control Problem And Breach Of Agreement. | Case#**-*836
Fort Worth,
Texas -
76248
I signed a lease for the above referenced apartment on April 18, 2015. I completed the Inventory and Condition Form and returned within the 48 hour time period. On that form, I indicated that there was a concern of pest-related issues. These issues pertained to bugs – cockroaches on the stairs. Over the next couple of days, I continued to encounter and kill cockroaches in my apartment. While other items on the inventory were fixed, I was told on April 22, 2015 by an office employee that I would have to wait up to a week for the exterminator to come out. After returning home from work on April 25, 2015 there were cockroaches throughout the apartment and I could no longer wait. I removed all of my belongings from the apartment.
There are many things that tenants should wait a ‘reasonable’ time for, but an issue of cockroaches is an item that is cause for immediate attention. Upon vacating the apartment, I cleaned everything – to a point that was cleaner than when I moved in. On April 27, 2015, I returned to the office at Summit View Apartments to give notice that I would not return to the apartment; nor would I pay any further rent for such an apartment – realizing that the my rent of $565 is due on May 3, 2015.
I am also requesting a return of all money I have paid as a new tenant. The amount is as follows: $100 application fee, $99 security deposit, and $244.83, for a total of $443.83. I am also requesting to be released from the one-year lease that was signed on April 18, 2015. I was misled to believe that the apartment I was paying for was clean upon move-in and free of pests – especially cockroaches. Most of my belongings will now need to be replaced, as they too, may be infested with cockroaches.
I have a reasonable expectation of a response to this letter within 24 hours of receipt. I am emailing this letter along with pictures that were taken after I removed my belongings to customercare@mbptexas.com. I am also mailing a certified copy of this letter and pictures to Summit View Apartments, MBP Denver Office, and MBP Dallas Office.
If necessary, I will be contacting the City of Fort Worth Tenant Complaints & Landlord Concerns Program; The City of Fort Worth; Apartment Association of Tarrant County; and the Fort Worth Better Business Bureau. I am an honorably discharged vet, recently returning home after 4 years in the U.S. Navy, I will have no problem contacting the Veterans Administration for assistance with this issue. AND, if still necessary, I will contact an attorney for legal action.
There is absolutely no chance of me returning to Summit View Apartments, as I feel strongly that they are not clean and could potentially be a health hazard. Please contact me immediately at 817-689-2544. I hope to come to a resolution quickly.
Sincerely,
Ryan W. Kuhlman
Confusion On If Property Has Been Sold Or Not | Case#**-*762 I got an email last week from a Real Estate Agent, Lisa Smith stating I had to vacate in 10 days. I was already a trespasser. This name is not my landlady, she manages residences for the owner who lives in Florida. I never received a phone call, or got anything in writing. I am sure Sue Dowden would have contacted me if anything like this was going on. It is very disturbing when I got this email out of blue, on the email there wasn't the address of my house on it anywhere. This had to be a mistake or some kind of scam.
Deposit | Case#**-*323
BRANDON,
FL -
33510 2448
My wife inspected property with agent, Alex. We were told certain things were included in rent. i.e. lawn care and pool were included. We were not told that the property was non-smoking, that we had to use certain utilities, and that we had to provide pest control. We wanted the property and sent them the security deposits. We then received the lease via e-mail for us to read and sign. After reading the lease we found everything we were told was different as above. My wife called and said we would not take the property and was told at that time the deposits were non refundable but they would correct the issues and send another lease. They sent another lease and it was the same. I emailed them back and said we would not take the property and i wanted my deposits back or would begin litigation against them. They emailed and said to call and that the deposits were non refundable. We never signed anything. We only had a good faith deposit based on what we were told. We were never told the deposit was non refundable until after we received the lease to read. It would be absurd to give a non refundable deposit without knowing the details of the lease prior.
Can you help me to get my deposits back and report this company for very bad business practices. David and Tina Queipo
repair issues and agreemen and she wants to break my lease | Case#**-*742
dallas,
Texas -
75235
she thinks i heve to many people leaveing there and i have my kids i paid my rent and dont have extra money to get another aparment please help...
Place uninhabitable due to Roach Infestation and Failure to fix Toilets and Stove | Case#**-*239
Cary,
North Carolina -
27511
Roaches were everywhere and I saw more than 70 roaches within a 4 day period. On move in date, the toilets didn't work and the were not even looked at until Monday afternoon.
First of all this place is INFESTED with German Cockroaches (look them up on the internet).
On Friday I picked up my keys and saw the place for the 1st time. Immediately, I saw 4 roaches in the kitchen and in the bathroom. I asked for them to send out the exterminator but that wouldn't happen until Wed. On Sat afternoon when I returned to the apt with a few of my things, I saw a few dead roaches on the dining room floor, 3 roaches in one of the room's closet, more roaches in the kitchen and dining room floor and wall and bathroom. This wasn't the end of it though. On Sat afternoon, I went to the store and bought boric acid dust, roach bait, spectracide bug spray, and stuff to fill in the holes between the walls and the plumbing. I was determined to battle these roaches.
On Sat night I went back. Vacuumed every crack and crevice, cabinet and corner. Then I put boric acid dust in all of the cabinets and drawers, cracks and crevices, and down in the holes behind the sinks and toilets. I ran out of time so I left. When I returned on Sunday, it was worse. There were roaches in all of the stuff that I had brought (thankfully not much of it), more in the kitchen, more in one bedroom, more in the dining room, and now in the living room and hallway. By this time I had seen over 40 roaches in 2 days. I know they weren't all the same ones b/c I vacuumed up all that I saw on Sat. On Sunday, I had to spray b/c I was overwhelmed. I couldn't take it and couldn't believe it. I sprayed the bedrooms, leaving the kitchen open so they would move in that direction. I filled in the holes between the walls and the cabinets in the bathrooms and around the toilets. I also vacuumed each room again twice. By then though, I was really tired and couldn't believe I was working so hard to move into a place. Finally, Monday was the deal breaker. I went in to the apt on Monday am just to prove to myself that it was not livable. It was ridiculous. I opened the closet door in the master bedroom and there were at least 10-15 roaches on the door that scattered when the light hit them. There were more roaches on the walls, in the kitchen, in the cabinets, on the counters, in the living room, in my stuff, in the rooms. They were everywhere.
When I went to the property manager, she
Unchecked Disruptive Neighbor | Case#**-*416
Cypress,
Texas -
77433
We have had marijuana odor coming from the downstairs apartment up to ours. They have parties and play loud music and have left the dog in the unit barking through the night into the morning and the manager keeps telling us there is no issue and has not moved to correct the issue because it is still happening. We were able to record some of it and send it to her by email and she still has not been helpful.
NO HOT WATER FOR 3 WEEKS AS OF MARCH 6 2017. | Case#**-*051
CHICAGO,
IL -
60649 2722
THEIR HAS NOT BEEN ANY HOT IN THE ENTIRE BUILDING OF 30 APTS, 11 STORIES FOR APPROXIMATELY 3 WEEKS AS OF 3/6/2017. WHEN COMPLAINT IS MADE THE MANAGEMENT ONLY SAYS THAT THEY WILL MAKE OUT A WORK ORDER!
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.
