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Can they do this and HOW!!!!

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raaainbow
Guest
Subject: Can they do this and HOW!!!!
 
 Posted on Wed Jul 30, 2008 3:30 pm  
I am having major problems with an apartment complex I moved out of like 4 years ago. I moved out a month and a half early from my lease.
I know that is bad.
Rent wa $480 , I always paid on time until i moved... So i figure I owe them realistically around 800- 850 dollars.
The problem is is that they sent it to collections in the amount of $4,842
dollars!!!!!
That is ridiculous.
I sent them a DV letter asking that they explain the large amount in detail and tell me how they came to the conclusion that i owe that much.They never ersponded.

How could they charge me so much money?
 
CMBV22

CMBV22

Joined: 08 May 2008
CMBV22's page
Posts: 378



4034 Magic Points
 
 Posted on Wed Jul 30, 2008 7:32 pm  
Hmmm, I would say that they would atleast charge you 960.00 for the two months rent. Most rentals will not let you pay only a half of a months rent. Also did you notify them in writing that you were moving out?
was their any damage to the unit? Did you read your lease to see if any fees would be applied if you moved out early? Were they forced to hire any lawyers to find you?

Also, did you have a deposit on the unit that could have covered some of that cost? When did you send the DV letter? Whom did you send it to?
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cbass1017



Joined: 01 Feb 2008
cbass1017's page
Posts: 89
Location: PA


353 Magic Points
 
 Posted on Wed Jul 30, 2008 10:12 pm  
If you were in that much of a hurry to leave than what kind of condition did you leave the appartment in? I'd bet they are charging you money to clean, paint, and do repairs.

As CMBV22 said, did you read your lease? A lot of landlords hide a lot of hidden fees in the lease if you are to break it early. The last place I rented would've charged me 6months rent beyond my rental agreement if I were to break the lease early.

Best of luck.
_________________
Scott McKay
DiYCreditGuide.com
 
Lorri



Joined: 15 Jul 2008
Lorri's page
Posts: 295



6 Magic Points
 
 Posted on Thu Jul 31, 2008 6:20 am  
I would say that every post above has very good reasons why your former landlord could possibly charge that much.

I don't know if any of that could be interest. Anyone else know?
 
fireyone



Joined: 26 Feb 2008
fireyone's page
Posts: 2843



1583 Magic Points
 
 Posted on Thu Jul 31, 2008 6:35 pm  
I myself think CMBV hit most of these answers right square in the nose. If there was in fact an atty involved the amount you owe could go up very quickly. Most places who rent will have some kind of early termination fee. Probaly the worse thing yhou could have done was moved out and not said anything. I myself would have informed them, set up paymants of what I owed and also did a walk through with the landlord before I left so that you both were together looking at the conditions you were leaving the apartment in. I know theres no going back but just a suggestion in case there is a next time. For now at least you started the DV process.
 
goodnatured



Joined: 03 Nov 2007
goodnatured's page
Posts: 3133



5260 Magic Points
 
 Posted on Mon Aug 04, 2008 2:34 pm  
Wow, that is a big amount of money. First off you were right for sending the debt validation asking them to explain the amount of the bill, but what I don't understand is why they did not take you to court on this amount of money, they should have had a good small claims case if they could have proved that you damaged the place or that it was in such dissrepair that they feel you owe this much.

I would be suspicious as to why they chose collection over small claims. I would think that if they can not validate this and list all the exact details of the claim then you may have a case against them, I can not imagine the stress this is causing.

I would say that if they do not validate, then look into filing a suit against them.
_________________
Goodnatured,

Trying to become and stay debt free, thank you for all your help and support!
 
fireyone



Joined: 26 Feb 2008
fireyone's page
Posts: 2843



1583 Magic Points
 
 Posted on Tue Aug 05, 2008 3:36 am  
You are right about small claims they would have had a case there. I would also be suspicious and would ask for debt validation. I also would follow GN advice and file the suit if they can't validate.
 
Lorri



Joined: 15 Jul 2008
Lorri's page
Posts: 295



6 Magic Points
 
 Posted on Tue Aug 05, 2008 3:46 am  
I have lived in many different types of apartment complexes. And from my experience it seems like the ones that are run by some type of "management company" always seem to be the ones that have the most problems. The ones that are more "independently" run are usually better managed believe it or not.
 
fireyone



Joined: 26 Feb 2008
fireyone's page
Posts: 2843



1583 Magic Points
 
 Posted on Wed Aug 06, 2008 2:29 am  
I do believe that Lorri. It has been such a long time since I once rented but I found working with a individual person is a lot better than working with a company.
 
CMBV22

CMBV22

Joined: 08 May 2008
CMBV22's page
Posts: 378



4034 Magic Points
 
 Posted on Wed Aug 06, 2008 5:13 pm  
Personally, I prefer big companies. Individuals who rent out to you tend to be more visible. LOL I like to live day to day without being pestered. When I rented from a 'person' every darn day I had to deal with her little tips on how to live in her apartment.
_________________
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Free sample letters,
info on paying off payday loans,
and quick credit repair tips.
Pesonalized credit repair advice in the forum:

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goodnatured



Joined: 03 Nov 2007
goodnatured's page
Posts: 3133



5260 Magic Points
 
 Posted on Thu Aug 07, 2008 1:10 am  
I hear you, I guess with the small guy though they have a little more than their money invested. It may be a little more personal because of the money for repairs and lost rent come out of their pocket and they feel it personally, where as a corporation isn't as likely to feel it that close to home. But hey I see your point too, some small landlords have eyes all around, LOL, even the neighbors will watch you for them. I guess they forget that once you sign a lease it is your house and your are ultimately responsible or you lose your security deposit.
_________________
Goodnatured,

Trying to become and stay debt free, thank you for all your help and support!
 
erb1953



Joined: 31 Dec 2007
erb1953's page
Posts: 631



8 Magic Points
 
 Posted on Thu Aug 07, 2008 3:24 am  
The landlord from helllllllllllllllllllllllllll, I once rented a place that was so outdated, you could smell the age in the wall paper. The elderly lady that owned it would have nothing to do with me updating anything. She was nice enough, just set in her ways and her time period too.
 
fireyone



Joined: 26 Feb 2008
fireyone's page
Posts: 2843



1583 Magic Points
 
 Posted on Thu Aug 07, 2008 12:45 pm  
Good points all. I really liked your point about bigger places and the little guys who rent monitor the renter more. That is so true. I really haven't rented much but when I did my landlords were never really close to the area. My mother-in-law just rented a trailor and the rules is longer than a grocery list for a person that hasn't been to the store in a year.
 
erb1953



Joined: 31 Dec 2007
erb1953's page
Posts: 631



8 Magic Points
 
 Posted on Fri Aug 08, 2008 2:45 am  
well the little guy has a lot more to lose, this may be part of their income that they count on as a living.
 
fireyone



Joined: 26 Feb 2008
fireyone's page
Posts: 2843



1583 Magic Points
 
 Posted on Sat Aug 09, 2008 12:30 am  
Actuallty you are a bit correct on that. they are older people and I imagine this is how they supplement their income.
 
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