Consumption and Real Estate
No communication from old rental agency for 2&1/2 yrs – now I have a $1400 bill in collections?
Question : No communication from old rental agency for 2&1/2 yrs – now I have a 00 bill in collections?
2&1/2 years ago, my husband and I lived in a trailer for 6 months while our new home was being built. We did everything that you are supposed to do when moving out, but to be honest I don’t remember the details since it was so long ago. We heard nothing from the rental agency so we assumed everything was fine.
Yesterday we received a bill from the rental agency for $ 1400 stating that it was now in collections. I have been trying to contact both the collection AND the rental agency, but no answer from either one of them (could be because of the holidays).
What I really don’t understand is that my husband and I used our cells during that period instead of having a house-phone. To this day, we still have the same cell #s. We filled out a change-of-address form with the post office, but even if the agency couldn’t reach us that way, they could have called and we would have taken care of whatever the problem was.
Can’t I just pay what I originally owed since we weren’t contacted?
This isn’t for unpaid rent. We were on a 6-month lease because our new house needed 6 more months to be built. I’m not a cheat and I didn’t just leave without paying. I followed prcedure to the letter (or so I thought). I have a feeling that this pretains to some sort of damage that they ((THINK)) we did, because I didn’t just skip out on the rental agency.
If there was damage done, I have no problem paying for that. However, am I responsible for paying the interest that accrued over 2&1/2 years since they never once contacted us?
office trailer rental
Best answer:
Answer by muncie birder
Actually, you may not owe one thing. It is their responsibility to inspect the the place in your presents and discuss any potential damage with you. It appears to me that they are attempting to scam you, if you are telling the truth.
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#2 written by SNCK 1 year ago
I am a bit confused. You seem to agree that there could have been some additional charges but your not sure. Your problem seems to be mostly with the interest and or penalties.
If it was me (you might want to check with your/a lawyer before doing anything) I would send them a certified/return reciept letter asking them to detail the charges and ask for an explaination as to why these were not billed in a timely fashion given the information you gave us about your contact information.
If the charges are legit and you agree and are willing to pay what you rightfully owe, I bet a few phone calls or letters would eliminate those extra charges. Might not get it done on the first call or letter, but I bet persistance would get it done.
Best of luck. Something like this can just ruin anyones day even if its a minor amount.
PS – I also agree with the first responder. I think they may have had some obligation to inspect in your presence, thats why you should check with your attorney or familiarize yourself with your states tenant rights laws before doing anything.
I personally would pay for something I damages even if there was a loophole I could jump through because its the right thing to do. I wouldn’t get harrassed into paying a bunch of fees or for something I wasnt responsible for under any circumstances. Thats just me though.
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First off, did you have a security deposit on the property? If so, was it returned to you? If it was, then there’s nothing owed.
They must prove what is owed in order to collect anything. Seeing that it’s at a collection agency, then they may have brought it in to court and received a judgment against you. I would look into this and see how it was that they supposedly tried to contact you. If they do not use reasonable means to contact you, you may be able to have the judgment thrown out.
If you did owe something, and never paid it, then you will have to pay all of it, including the interest and penalties.