Rent Problems Are Frustrating; but you're not alone: Thousands of tenants rely on RPA to solve problems
Unfounded Negative Regal History Given | Case#**-*354
PORTLAND,
OR -
97202 1700
I had a brief conflict with Mandy in which she verbally attacked my boyfriend as he was leaving my apartment one day, claiming that he had been staying at the apartment for too long. There is a clause in my lease that I am well aware of that claims that I cannot have any guest staying for more than 14 days (not necessarily consecutive) within a 12 month period. I did not in any way break this clause. It is true that my boyfriend had spent the night with me some nights, but most of the time he would pick me up from work, and we would go back to my apartment, where I would gather my things so I could go to his place for the night. We rarely spent the night at my apartment. Even though I was not in violation of my lease in any way, I told both Richard and Mandy that I would no longer allow my boyfriend to stay over at all to avoid any possible semblance of a problem. This happened maybe after a month of my living there, and from that moment on I never slept at that apartment myself. Even though I went well out of my way to avoid any further complaints, and always paid my rent on time, Richard still gave me a poor reference when contacted by a screening party at another apartment I had applied for. My deposit went from being 200 dollars, to over 1,000 due to his poor review. I believe these negative comments are unfair. I did everything they asked me to and fixed any problems they perceived even though I was not in violation of anything. I don't know what else I could have done to fix the situation, but Richard's negative comments have made it impossible for me to move, and I may have to leave the state because of it. This. combined with the poor appearance of the apartment when I first moved in (bathtub not re caulked and covered in soap scum, spider webs on ceiling, leaking faucets, broken and yellowed curtains, ect.) have lead me to file this complaint against them.
Deposit problem/ repiar issue/ breach of contract/ safety issue | Case#**-*797
upper marlboro,
Maryland -
20774
my landlord put signs up throughout the basement stating no one is invited to come to home, landlord removed my basement door which takes away my privacy, has disrespectful signs toward my guest, gives security notice with his phone number stating that i have to call to have door open if i am coming in past midnight. landlord gave me notice to vacate but refuse to give me security deposit back, landlord refuse to fix ceiling light/fan that has been reported to him for over a week. landlord disrespected my female guest telling her that she cant come here anymore and if she do she will turn her away at the door, landlord states no one is invited in home except for the tenants that live there which is not in lease, landlord call cable company and terminate hd/dvr service which is a part of my lease agreement. landlord constantly invades my bathroom. landlord puts his own bedframe in my living room area of basement that i am renting. landlord threaten me for speaking to police officer in neighborhood.
Infestation - bedbugs and bats | Case#**-*296
Media,
Pennsylvania -
19063
Summer 2010 -- bats started to reside in the walls of the house. Landlord to not resolve problem. Bats brought batbugs (pretty much same as bedbugs) into the house & again, landlord did not resolve problem. He was more concerned with expensive costs than providing decent living. Tenant incurred significant expenses to take care of the bug issues
Spring 2011 -- bats return, along with bugs. Landlord refuses to believe that there is an issue and does not agree to tenant's request to get a wildlife removal company to do an inspection for the bats nor wants to have a professional pest control company come to treat for bedbugs.
Summer 2011 -- during tenant's last month in apartment, landlord states he will return half month's rent if tenant removes everything by the 15th. He wants to show the apartment and have it ready for a new tenant on 7/1/77. Tenant moves everything out & requests promised refund for half rent and security deposit. After several calls, landlord does not return any calls & keeps the money.
Repair Issues | Case#**-*070
Glendale,
Arizona -
85301
My ac has been out for three weeks and every time I call the office or go to the office they always say they will send someone out to fix it. No one shows up. I keep calling and when I tell them no one has shown up they said they will the next day. It’s been three weeks with no ac and it smells like something is burning when it is on. They still haven’t fixed it and I have two small children that live with me
Parking Issues | Case#**-*670
Minneapolis,
Minnesota -
55428
A maintenance of the of the conplex informed me that its okay to park in specific spots. Mines was parked kn white lines meaning do not park but agian they said iot was okay. My car got towed because of no parking space due to cars having no parking permit. Other cars are parked there and i have conplained to the property manager and she has done nothing. When i told her that the maintenance told me it was okay her response was oh well he dont love here no more.
repair issues, health hazards | Case#**-*604
Denver,
Colorado -
80205
There was a pipe the bust in the basement area. Flooding the living room area. The basement area was never taken care of even after I notified the landlord. It's spells like sewer and I'd hazardous to live in.
Parking Spot | Case#**-*477
N HOLLYWOOD,
CA -
91606 5041
The apartment is a 20 unit apartment. Pretty much everyone in the apartment has a parking spot. The manager has a garage, and a parking spot right outside the garage. in the past I asked for a parking spot, and they said I couldn't get one because parking spots are for new tenants only. We a couple empty apartments, and parking spots. One of my neighbors has a parking spot, but she doesn't park her car there because she just got her license and is still kind of scared to park next to a wall. The apartments that are empty aren't even close to being done and ready to be rented. What can I do in this situation?
Eviction From Retaliating Complaining To Gov Agencies | Case#**-*483 Landlord has filed a force eviction against myself and fiancé because I reported her to gov agencies to report non disclosed lead based paint and water damage and visible black mold effecting my family's health and has not resolved mold since contacting in Oct 2013
Repair Issues | Case#**-*937
JACKSONVILLE,
FL -
32244 8426
1.My refrigerator has been out of service for 3 weeks. This is apart of an ongoing issue so the \"landlord\" placed an order for a replacement refrigerator that no one seems to know the status of where or what\'s going on with the replacement refrigerator. I created a service ticket for the existing refrigerator that has now been out 3 weeks. I have an disabled elderly parent that i take care of no one has called me with a status or an update. Its become a FT job of me reaching out to them. No resolution. I would like to be reimbursed for the food we\'ve thrown out, they\'ve me a 118 credit on my account but clearly i cannot take that to the grocery . I am at 450 in loss of food in a pandemic. My mom can\'t eat certain foods and certain foods have to be fresh etc.
2. I just renewed my lease and as an incentive they were going to install new floors. How it end up being a bill for me is where I got confused. Well, 3 of the bedrooms have carpet, my mother\'s bed is adjustable and I can\'t afford to pay anyone to move the furniture nor can I as a woman move heavy furniture on carpet. My rent has increased by $300, I suggested using the rent of course they freaked out but we need some assistance. Installing the floors is making their property better as i have been complaining about these floors for years so its actually not doing me a favor it should have been done. The carpet is dry-rotted and the wood floors are lifting.
3. Now the roof is leaking again in the same bedroom as before. The guy who did it before spray painted the ceiling after patching it up and left. No one replaced any shingles. 4 people came and could not find the leak and guess what we got our first rain and its leaking again. This is not how you treat a tenant who hasn\'t been late and agreed to pay the ridiculous amount of rent for the comfort and convenience of her mother.
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.
