The Rental Protection Agency helps renters file complaints against their landlord or property manager then builds a long-term solution. Each year, the agency writes a tenant complaints report, which takes a look at nationwide data and reveals the most common criticisms of leasing. To help you avoid these filings, here’s Warner Service’s comprehensive list of top 10 tenant complaints:
- Security Deposit Refund. Unfortunately, landlords have found some clever ways to keep security deposits, from leaving magnets on the fridge to charging for already-broken furniture. In this category, “any complaint type that is associated with deposit refunds including as charges against deposits, refund neglect, and other related disputes” is accounted for.
- Bed Bug Infestation. This is the fastest growing complaint over the past few years, which is surprising because no data of bed bug infestations was found by the RPA prior to 2008. This increase is likely due to the improper chemical treatment of apartments, which leads to unsuccessful preventative efforts and potential re-infestation.
- Apartment Repair. This is an all-encompassing complaint that includes repairs of appliances, carpeting, plumbing, roofing, windows, heating and cooling, and more. Most landlords hire commercial contractors to take care of the job, which can account for other complaints including tardiness, shabby craftsmanship, and overcharging.
- Noise Complaints. For this report, complaints from tenants, landlords, and property managers are taken into account. Noise complaints “commonly refer to excessive noise being made after reasonable quiet hours,” which is typically outlined in the lease agreement's terms and conditions. This could be classified as loud equipment or appliances like shaky pipes or a blaring air conditioner as well as noisy neighbors or music.
- Safety and Health Hazards. Tenants tend to file complaints about safety concerns if they feel that their natural “right to a safe and habitable” environment is being violated. This can include “electrical concerns, faulty smoke alarms, unsafe appliances, damaged flooring, leaky plumbing or gas,” and more.
- Pest Infestations. Without a doubt, no one wants to work or live with pests (especially a dust bunny). This data for critter control includes complaints involving rats, mice, squirrels, cockroaches, ants, bees, flies, spiders, and more.
- Toxic Black Mold. The scientific term for black mold is Stachybotrys Charatarum, and it’s been on the rise for a few years. Tenants usually file this complaint after seeing black mold in bathrooms, kitchens, and other living spaces that have frequently-used pipes.
- Lease Violations. Basic renters’ rights are included in a section (or discussed in verbal leases) on most agreements. When a tenant feels that those rights have been violated, this complaint type is filed.
- Eviction Complaints. There are many reasons for eviction, but wrongful eviction is filed when tenants have experienced “unlawful/illegal eviction... illegal lock-out, utility disconnection, threats” thereof and other related complaints.
- Lease Termination. Any complaint, including “automatic renewals, improper notification, forced renewals, early lease termination, and fees association with breaking a lease” are included in this complaint type.
Other common rental complaints include landlord harassment, unauthorized entry or access, discrimination, and foreclosure (which has seen a deadline in that last two years).
Thankfully, we have a solution to a few of these pesky problems. For example, we can teach you how to diagnose the air conditioning unit and what you should know about your circuit breaker. You can also read up on how to save money when the pipes are leaking.
However, if you want to learn how to address these top 10 tenant complaints with the greatest ease, click below to download our guide. There, landlords and property managers will successfully find seamless solutions to these common criticisms:
