VNSTA sends second letter to Equity about fluctuating water temperatures

The Van Ness South Tenants Association today sent a second letter to building manager Josh Luper, inquiring against about residents’ complaints about water fluctuating between hot and cold.

In response to the tenant association’s first letter, Equity responded saying that the problems likely were localized to certain apartments. However, since then, repairs have been attempted in some apartments, but problems persist. In addition, residents note that complaints seem to come almost exclusively from apartments in the West building.

Read the new letter in printer-friendly format at this link.

EQUITY’S RESPONSE

On Dec. 19th, two weeks after we sent our first letter to Equity Residential complaining about fluctuating hot and cold water in the West building, we received this reponse.

Dear Valued Resident,

We have had a number of residents inform us of hot water fluctuations in the West building over the past couple of weeks. During these reports we checked our building systems and at that time determined that these issues may have been from what we thought to be failed diverters in those apartments. Since these reports have continued our team has since completed an additional exhaustive inspection of all our complete building system. During this inspection we were able to find a pump that was in need to be rebuilt. While this pump was running we believe it to be the cause of the infrequent water changes. If you have previously reported this issue please monitor your hot water and let us know if you experience any more fluctuations.

As always, we appreciate your patience and understanding while we work to resolve this issue.

VNSTA Newsletter - Dec. 10, 2022

PACKAGE DELIVERY

Many residents have complained about problems with package delivery -- for example, not receiving notifications or packages getting lost. We realize that there is a high volume of packages during the holidays, but it seems that Equity Residential doesn't have enough employees at the front desk to handle it.

The tenant association wrote a letter to building manager Josh Luper, asking for improvements in package handling. The letter includes quotes from residents about the problems they have experienced. Thanks to all who shared their thoughts.

DEALING WITH PROBLEMS IN YOUR APARTMENT

Some residents have complained to the tenant association about problems in their apartments like rodents, water leaks, mold, etc. Recently, a number also have complained about fluctuating water temperature.

We wrote a letter to building manager Josh Luper about the water issues.  Josh responded with an email claiming that such problems likely weren't systemic, but the result of local problems within the apartment plumbing. He suggests that residents submit a maintenance request.

This gets to the heart of the issue -- how to get service when you have a problem. We suggest that as a first step you file an official maintenance request via Equity Residential's MyEquityApartments portal. Be sure to note the time and data of your maintenance request. Do not simply call the front desk.

Often, this will solve the issue -- the individual maintenance people are competent. However, the team is understaffed so you may not get adequate service. Also, Equity has failed to do adequate overall maintenance of the building, so some problems have gotten worse over time.

Therefore, if submitting a maintenance request doesn't work, here is what you should do.

You should submit a request for an inspection to the DC Department of Buildings, the successor to the DC Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs. On the home of the DC DOB, there are drop-down menus for submitting a request. Simple choose "Request" in box one and "Housing and Property Maintenance Inspection" in box 2. Then follow the directions. In the past, city inspectors have responded reasonably quickly. Please also alert the tenant association that you have submitted a request an inspection.

Another tip -- take photos of the problem. If the problem isn't solved in Week #1, take photos again in Week #2 and Week #3.

If DOB finds a problem that violates the housing code, it will assess a fine on the landlord, which should force it to fix the problems promptly.

MEMBERSHIP RISING

The number of members of the tenant association continues to rise. This is critically important because if Equity Residential continues with plans to sell the building, we need to have members in more than half the units in the building in order to have a say about the sale. Under the Tenant Option to Purchase Act, the tenant association can purchase the building on behalf of tenants -- giving them the change to either buy their apartments or continue renting them. Or the tenant association can negotiate with another buyer for better services.

Being a member benefits residents in other ways as well. For example, most residents have needed advice at one time or another about their rent, maintenance or security problems etc. Being a member gives you access to free advice.

There is no charge and no obligation to be a member of the tenant association. If you have friends or neighbors in the building who are not members, please encourage them to join. Information about membership is at this link. Interesting residents should fill out the form that is available via the link on that page. 

GETTING NEWS ABOUT 3003

Being a member of the tenant association also gives you ways of getting news about 3003 Van Ness. If you are receiving this email, you already receiving some of the most important news. However, we don't put out these newsletters frequently because the process is very time consuming. For this reason, we put news as it happens on the VNSTA website on our news page at this link.

If you're a Twitter user, you can also follow us at @vnsta3003. 

One great way to get news and information is to join our Google Group or our WhatsApp chat -- available only to members. Those who have filled out a membership form can request the special address to join the WhatsApp chat. 

RESTITUTION FOR THE "RENT CONCESSION" SCAM

We still do not have further information about the "rent concession" scam, by which Equity Residential in the past tricked new residents into signing predatory leases and then attempted to increase their rent the following year more than the law allows. We will let you know when we hear more from the Attorney General's office. 

BUILDING SECURITY

The DC Attorney General is forcing Equity Residential to tighten security at 3003 Van Ness because of a past record of especially poor security. The VNSTA Security Working group produced a detailed report about security failures last winter, providing extensive evidence. As a result of our advocacy and the Attorney General's pressure, security has improved somewhat -- with the installation of new security cameras, a new fob system, improved exterior lighting, a part-time security guard, and repairs of exterior doors and locks.

However, problems remain - and so we must continue to advocate for better security. For example, the staff at the front desk continues to do a poor job of checking non-residents who enter the building. (This is not entirely their fault -- there isn't enough staff to handle packages and monitor the doors.)

Here is what you can do to help:

  1. If you see a problem, like a broken lock, broken lights, or doors that have been left open, take a photo with your camera and send it with a note via email to building manager Josh Luper, cc'ing the tenant association.
     

  2. If you see a more serious issue that may be criminal behavior, or if someone else may be at risk (e.g., possible domestic violence), call the DC Metropolitan Police Department via 911. Some residents have been reluctant to call the police in situations that they aren't sure are serious, or they don't call if they think the situation will pass before the police can get on the scene. However, MPD asks us to call anyway so they can investigate -- often giving them the chance to defuse or deter problems. So if you aren't sure, it's always best to call. 

THE DC COUNCIL

Local resident Matt Frumin has won the race to represent our area, Ward 3, on the DC Council. We have a good relationship with Matt, and we look forward to working with him. 

The DC Council recently attempted to pass "emergency" legislation to remove all board members of the DC Housing Authority, replacing them with members chose by the Mayor. We have been working with the presidents of other large tenant associations in our neighborhood on issues related to DCHA, particularly the misuse of housing vouchers as a tool of economic development and by vastly overpaying rents, creating windfall profits for certain landlords. See our letter to DC Council Chairman Phil Mendelson. As a result of an outpouring of criticism from housing advocates, Chairman Mendelson postponed efforts to bring the bill to a vote. 

SMOKING

Some residents have complained about problems with second-hand smoke from other apartments. If the ventilation system is working properly, smoke should not travel from one apartment to another. However, it doesn't always work right, and some apartments are affected by cigarette or marijuana smoke from neighbors. 

Other large apartment buildings also have been dealing with this problem. We don't have a satisfying solution at this point, but we suggest that if you have a problem with second-hand smoke that you make sure to report it to managementin order to leave a paper trail. Be sure to cc the tenant association. If the problem persists, continue to email management periodically, extending the paper trail.

In the meantime, we are talking to city officials and others about how this problem can be addressed.  

ONE VERY EASY THING YOU CAN DO TO HELP

Print out this membership flyer and post it in your laundry room. If someone takes it down, post it again!

We wish everyone the best for the holidays!

Letter to 3003 Van Ness management about problems with packages

The tenant association today sent a letter to the Equity Residential building manager for 3003 Van Ness, requesting better procedures for handling packages over the holidays. The letter includes quotes from more than 10 residents about problems with the receiving packages.

The letter begins:

“I am writing on behalf of the many residents who have complained to the tenant association about problems receiving packages.”

“While we realize that the volume of packages has increased due to the upcoming holiday season, these problems have existed long before the holidays. It appears that Equity hasn’t taken into consideration the volume of packages when considering staffing needs and so the front desk staff is simply overwhelmed.”

Here are some word-for-word comments from residents:

  • “I very rarely get notifications (either email or text) anymore for packages. If I go to the front desk after I know a package has been delivered, they are usually very helpful and able to see that there’s a package for me on their end (and even where it’s located).

  • “Basically, I haven’t gotten any package delivery notifications from the front desk for a couple months. The only way I know if I have a package is if the place I ordered it from says it’s been delivered.”

  • “My wife and I have gotten email/text notifications for most of our packages but not all. Amazon packages have been a big problem for us: it’s usually several hours or a day between when they’re delivered and when we get a notification.”

  • “Sometimes they say I don’t have [a package] and I don’t get it till next day though.”

  • “I’ve been having a hard time actually getting my packages and they’ve lost one of them recently.”

  • “We still get notifications, but small envelopes/boxes disappear all the time.”

  • “Very rarely do I receive notifications about picking up packages, and it has been this way since I moved in despite efforts from the leasing office and front desk to fix it.”

  • “I receive the package notifications but then staff have trouble always finding the package for days at a time.”

  • “We had a bunch delivered when we were traveling for Thanksgiving. Half were not logged despite having been delivered over a week prior and half were logged without an email. It’s been very frustrating.”

  • Sometimes having my account reset by the management office will fix this problem, but obviously it’s reoccurring. I’ve been told it’s likely an issue that will require IT.”

  • “FedEx hires more people over the holidays to cover volume, it seems they should bring in supplemental staff at least for the holidays and improve process while additional staff are here.”

  • “I have problems with packages too. Yesterday I got an email but knew they had at least one more. I went down and there were three packages. On Monday I got an email without a tracking number, and they could not find whatever it was. The extra frustrating thing is they tell us we have to pick up packages in two days but do not always know what is coming.”

  • “In general, package notification emails and package registration are both very inconsistent. We have also had several packages mis-labelled with the wrong apartment number.”

Read the entire letter in printer-friendly format.

If the landlord doesn't fix problems, how to get results

Some residents have had trouble getting results for persistent problems in their apartments. We suggest beginning by going through the official channel recommended by the building manager, Equity Residential, by filling out a maintenance request at MyEquityApartment.com. This often will get your problem resolved.

However, the maintenance team is under-staffed and so you may not get adequate or timely service. For this reason, you may have to escalate your complaint by requesting an inspection from the DC Department of Buildings.

The tenant association posted a recent tweet thread that explains how to do it.

  • Some residents of #3003VanNess, managed by Equity Residential, have complained about various problems in their apartments. In some cases, management has not adequately addressed those problems. Here is what to do.

  • You can ask the new DC Department of Buildings, formerly part of DC Consumer and Regulatory Affairs, for an inspection. If your apartment isn't up to code, @DC_DOB often will assess a fine on the landlord. This gets the landlord's attention.

  • Asking for an inspection is easy. Go to the home page of the @DC_DOB. In box #1 (I Need TO) of the home page, choose "Inspection." In box #2, choose "Housing and Property Maintenance Inspection." Hit the button "Request Now." https://dob.dc.gov/

  • You should receive a receipt notification from @DC_DOB. I suggest letting your tenant association know that you have asked for an inspection. In many cases, this will lead to resolution of your problem.

  • Reporting the problem in this way also can help other residents. The landlord will soon learn that tenants know how to defend themselves and that poor maintenance of apartments may lead to fines. This provides an incentive for the company to treat other residents better.

  • Unfortunately, this is sometimes what is necessary to get companies to do the right thing.

This information was brought to you by the Van Ness South Tenants Association. To get more useful information like this, or to get advice about how to make your living situation at 3003 Van Ness better, join the tenant association.

Letter to Equity management regarding fluctuating hot and cold water

The Van Ness South Tenants Association today sent a letter to Equity Residential building manager Josh Luper, inquiring about reports from residents about wide fluctuations in hot and cold water.

The letter states:


”I am writing on behalf of the numerous residents of the West building who have complained to the tenant association about wide fluctuations in hot and cold running water.

This is different from the situation we have reported to you in the past, in which there is no hot water for periods of time. In the current situation, a resident may be taking a shower and find that the warm runs warm, then hot, then cold, then warm again. Some residents have reported to me that they sometimes get hot water even when the faucet is set to warm – a possible hazard. Other times, at the same setting, they get cold water.

Residents tell me that they have reported these problems to Equity, but we continue to hear complaints. Could you please investigate the situation and let us know what is going on and how long it will take to fix the problem?”

Read the full text in printer-friendly format

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Here is the response we received from Equity Residential building manager Josh Luper:

Hi Harry,

We have received some requests although these would be related to a resident's individual apartment and not one for the entire building. If residents are reporting this to you please have them contact us and we can certainly schedule an inspection and repairs. From previous requests we have completed this was found to be mostly due to a failed stem in the faucet or a diverter in the bathroom. Once replaced we have not had issues from those apartments that originally reported the issue. 

Please let me know if you have any additional questions or concerns. 


Thank you,

Josh Luper

General Manager

October meeting and candidate meet-and-greet

The Van Ness South Tenants Association will hold a general meeting and meet-and-greet for candidates to the DC Council and Advisory Neighborhood Commission on Saturday, October 22nd at 2:00 pm in the main courtyard of 3003 Van Ness.

Ward 3 candidates Matt Frumin and David Krucoff, at large-candidates Anita Bonds and Graham McLaughlin, mayoral candidate Rodney “Red” Grant, and ANC-3F05 candidates Andrew Koval and James Tandaric will attend.

This will be a opportunity to talk one-on-one with the candidates and share your views. It also will be a fun chance to meet your neighbors.

Light refreshments will be served. BYOB.

Attendance is free and open to all residents.

HELP SPREAD THE WORD about the event by printing this flyer and posting it in your laundry room on the bulletin board.

Important information for thousands of DC renters who may have been overcharged

An email from VNSTA president Harry Gural to tenant association members

The Van Ness South Tenants Association fought for years to stop Equity Residential from using the "rent concession" scam to overcharge residents. Last week, WJLA-TV Channel 7 aired a news story about the DC Attorney General Karl Racine's big win on behalf of the residents of 3003 Van Ness, which includes $1 million in total restitution for residents who were overcharged.

The Attorney General's office is still working out details about which residents of 3003 Van Ness were overcharged and who will receive restitution. I am in frequent contact with the OAG and will share more information when I have it.

Residents of 3003 Van Ness led the fight against the rent concession scam. Now, we can help finish the battle by alerting the thousands or tens of thousands of other DC residents who collectively may have been overcharged by millions or tens of millions of dollars.

You can help by forwarding this email to your friends and to other renters citywide. And you can join me in demanding that the Bowser administration make a formal public statement about the scam and release records hidden in its archives that would show which major landlords used it to cheat their tenants.

For those who didn't live through the rent concession scam, weren't threatened with huge rent increases, or who didn't have time to follow the battles that ensued, here is what happened:

Equity Residential used fake discounts ("rent concessions") to demand illegal rent increases.

For many years, Equity Residential tricked new residents into signing leases with the "rent" listed as a figure that was hundreds of dollars more per month than the amount the tenant actually would pay. Leasing agents told tenants (falsely) that this was required by law and that that they would receive a "rent concession" -- a supposed discount -- so they rent paid would equal the advertised amount. However, the following year tenants received rent increase notices demanding huge rent increases, sometimes $500 per month or more -- even beyond $1,000. This terrified tenants and forced them to engage in long negotiations with building management, often still ending up with annual rent increases that exceeded the legal maximum of 2% plus inflation for residents under age 62. (For those who would like to learn more interesting details about how the rent scam works, see our companion website FairRentDC.)

Thousands of other Washington renters also may have been overcharged.

The Attorney General's successful suit on behalf of residents of 3003 Van Ness against Equity Residential helped put a final nail in the coffin of the rent concession scam. However, the only DC residents who will receive restitution are those residents of 3003 Van Ness who were overcharged -- renters at other Equity Residential buildings will not be compensated, despite the fact that records gathered by VNSTA under the Freedom of Information Act suggests that those renters also may have been cheated.

Additional evidence suggests that other large landlords also may have used the "rent concession" scam to overcharged DC residents. In fact, the scam may have been widespread. If so, tens of thousands of DC residents may have been overcharged by millions or tens of millions of dollars.

The city has known about this for years and has refused to release information that would help DC renters know whether or not they were being overcharged. The city is required by law to publish a public database of rents. A database would create more transparency in the rental market, and would help restrain rising rents. It also would make it possible to figure out which rental housing providers overcharged their tenants using the "rent concession" scam. However, the Bowser administration repeatedly has failed to produce a database of rents, tilting the scales in favor of the rental housing industry and preventing the public from knowing the full scale of the rent scam.


The Bowser administration repeatedly has refused to help.

Since 2015, I reported the rent concession scam many times to Bowser administration officials, including to the heads of the agencies overseeing housing. I spoke to Mayor Bowser three times in person and I wrote her four formal letters. I explained that thousands of DC renters -- not just residents of 3003 Van Ness -- were getting cheated. I asked her chief of staff (now a deputy mayor) at least to get the mayor to tweet about it to help get the word out. The Bowser administration did nothing.

VNSTA fights DCHA's second rejection of FOIA request

The Van Ness South Tenants Association today sent a second letter to Eugene Adams, Director of the Mayor’s Office of Legal Counsel (MOLC), opposing the DC Housing Agency’s second effort to block a FOIA by VNSTA regarding DCHA’s use of housing vouchers. The new letter asks MOLC to order DCHA to release basic information about the use of housing vouchers at 3003 Van Ness and the rents paid by DCHA.

Most tenant association members support the use of housing vouchers to help low-income individuals and families afford adequate housing. However, there is mounting evidence that DCHA and the city have misused this important tool, paying extremely high rents and steering windfall profits to landlords while driving up rents and causing other problems for non-voucher recipients.

VNSTA’s FOIA, which was submitted in April, asks DCHA for:

  • Any agreement between Equity Residential and DCHA

  • Aggregate (non-personal) information about the number of housing vouchers used at 3003 Van Ness, by year and by program

  • A list of rents paid to Equity Residential for apartments occupied by voucher recipients, without personal or identifying information

See the letter sent to MOLC today and all previous documents at this link.

VNSTA appeals DCHA's rejection of FOIA request

The Van Ness South Tenants Association today sent a letter to the Mayor’s Office of Legal Counsel, asking it to overturn a decision by the DC Housing Authority to deny VNSTA’s request for information about the use of housing vouchers at 3003 Van Ness. The tenant association seeks to find out how Equity Residential’s reliance on high profits from the voucher programs affects rents and services at the property.

Here is an excerpt from the letter:

“The FOIA requests both the number of units rented using vouchers and the rents actually paid, because this combination of data is critical to understanding the effect of the voucher programs. It appears that Equity may be charging voucher recipients more than it would for non-voucher recipients. If so, this would partly explain why the company has treated its long-time tenants so poorly – it can make higher profits by preferentially leasing to voucher recipients, discriminating against non-voucher recipients. It also would explain why Equity refuses to provide adequate maintenance and neglects building security.”

Read the entire letter in printer-friendly PDF format.

Read the initial FOIA request to DCHA