Received "damages" bill WTF
I would be so appreciative if anyone has any advice or thoughts on how to handle this, since it seems to be that there are a few things going wrong here and I'm in a bit of a panic over what to do.
I moved apartments on July 31st, and I received a letter postmarked August 18th, saying I owed the apartment complex $200 in unspecified damages. The letter states that I have until August 27th to pay them the money, or it will be sent to a collection agency for delinquency. What with all the changing my address stuff and general start-of-the-semester BS, I only got to checking my postbox today, so now I pretty much have tomorrow to pay it, or my credit score gets a beating. >:(>:(>:(
Is there anyone I can speak to about this? I don't know what to do because no matter what action I want to take, I pretty much only have tomorrow to do it. I haven't even had a chance to speak to the property office yet so I will see if I can get more time to pay it, and also find out what the fucking damages even are. The only thing I can think of is that I didn't paint the walls back to white as required in the lease. BUT, I went into the property office to ask what the charges for this were, and an employee told me it would be $10 a wall ($40) which I was ok with. Unfortunately, the guy doesn't work there anymore.
(1) Shouldn't they state in the letter what the damages actually are?
(2) Can they really send me a letter giving me only 9 days to come up with $200?? I moved out on July 31st and they waited til August 18th to mail it!
(3) Is there any way I can have a hold put on them giving it to a collection agency while I try to dispute/resolve it? Or should I let it go to the Agency and then fix it afterwards on my credit report?
That complex leases by the bedroom, and so any damages in the kitchen/lounge etc should have been billed both to me and my ex-roommate, but as far as I'm aware she received nothing. So either they billed me for the whole apartment, or I have $200's worth just in a bedroom and bathroom!.
Thanks in advance people, I could really use your help!
Re: Received "damages" bill WTF
Corporate apartments are a rip off. Plain and simple. You either pay them off or deal with the collection agency. Craigs list is better all the time these days. There is such corruption in Inc.
(Note how the 200 is substantial, but not so much that it makes it worth your time to not pay it.)
(There is also the great possibility that they say we tried, we failed. On to the next sucker.)
Re: Received "damages" bill WTF
I think that given the short period of time you have, your only option right now is to talk to them. Ask them what the damage is that you're paying for. If you think it is unfair, you can pay them now, and then take them to small claims court to get it back. If you don't have the money right now, you can try to convince them to give you an extension.
Re: Received "damages" bill WTF
$200 sounds like a repaint and shampoo the carpets charge. It's probably nothing you did, they just want to give it that "new apartment smell" Apartments are such a rip off. I love my house.
Re: Received "damages" bill WTF
I do still have my lease contract, and I am in South Carolina.
I heard from a friend just a second ago who also just left there, who told me she also received a bill for $200, and when she asked about it they told her it was to cover the cost of re-painting her bedroom walls back to white. In my lease it does state that we will be charged for the costs of re-painting and my walls WERE bright pink when I moved out, so I guess I can't really contest the costs. (But $200, who the hell painted it, Jesus?!)
The thing that's getting me is the 9-day notice to come up with $200. I looked all over the web and I can't find a definite answer, but shouldn't they have to give 30-days notice at least?
Tomorrow I'm gonna ask for an extension, or that they bill my parents who (very grudgingly) were my guarantor. Not a chance in heck my parents'll pay, but by the time they bill it out to them etc I'll have more time to sort this out.
Re: Received "damages" bill WTF
isnt that what the security deposit is for? why would they charge you more? in my lease it does say i have to paint the walls back to white when i move or they will take it out of my deposit
Re: Received "damages" bill WTF
Call a lawyer, but most states have a law that says the land lord has to itemize the damages.
HTH
Z