Go Back  British Expats > Living & Moving Abroad > USA
Reload this Page >

Options To Dispute A MoveOut Bill

Options To Dispute A MoveOut Bill

Old Jun 15th 2010, 12:37 am
  #1  
Banned
Thread Starter
 
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 3
pauline_h1b is an unknown quantity at this point
Question Options To Dispute A MoveOut Bill

I was renting apartment in Dallas TX for past 2 years (same complex and same apartment). We renewed our lease twice but the complex never painted or replaced carpets etc. When moving out to another apartment in the same complex after 2 years we arranged professional cleaning etc. But the complex sent us a bill of $1100 for move out charges which includes cleaning, blinds,carpet replacement etc.

They asked me to pay immediately otherwise the are going for a collection agency.My question is it very easy to hire a collection agency in US and start the collection procedure against anyone?Is there any way to fight or dispute the charges against the complex.I tried approaching them personally but they are very rude and never bother to reply back or communicate.

Even after 2 years in US whenever I apply for any credit card I get the reply that too few credit references available.With already too few credit references on my credit file, can a negative remark from collection agency may create any difference?
pauline_h1b is offline  
Old Jun 15th 2010, 2:52 am
  #2  
Septicity
 
fatbrit's Avatar
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 23,762
fatbrit has a reputation beyond reputefatbrit has a reputation beyond reputefatbrit has a reputation beyond reputefatbrit has a reputation beyond reputefatbrit has a reputation beyond reputefatbrit has a reputation beyond reputefatbrit has a reputation beyond reputefatbrit has a reputation beyond reputefatbrit has a reputation beyond reputefatbrit has a reputation beyond reputefatbrit has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Options To Dispute A MoveOut Bill

What does your contract say?
fatbrit is offline  
Old Jun 15th 2010, 3:05 am
  #3  
Senior Member
 
penguinbar's Avatar
 
Joined: Apr 2008
Location: Manhattan
Posts: 2,913
penguinbar has a reputation beyond reputepenguinbar has a reputation beyond reputepenguinbar has a reputation beyond reputepenguinbar has a reputation beyond reputepenguinbar has a reputation beyond reputepenguinbar has a reputation beyond reputepenguinbar has a reputation beyond reputepenguinbar has a reputation beyond reputepenguinbar has a reputation beyond reputepenguinbar has a reputation beyond reputepenguinbar has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Options To Dispute A MoveOut Bill

Check your lease and also check out what the local city laws are. Ring your local housing authority. They might be trying to get one over on you. Do you rent from a management company or just a small landlord?
penguinbar is offline  
Old Jun 15th 2010, 3:09 am
  #4  
Arrogant ****
 
dbj1000's Avatar
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Location: Plano, TX
Posts: 4,323
dbj1000 has a reputation beyond reputedbj1000 has a reputation beyond reputedbj1000 has a reputation beyond reputedbj1000 has a reputation beyond reputedbj1000 has a reputation beyond reputedbj1000 has a reputation beyond reputedbj1000 has a reputation beyond reputedbj1000 has a reputation beyond reputedbj1000 has a reputation beyond reputedbj1000 has a reputation beyond reputedbj1000 has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Options To Dispute A MoveOut Bill

We successfully fought a move-out bill by putting our arguments in writing to the head office of the apartment owner and copying all the local management. We too had spectacularly rude treatment from the local management when we tried to fight it.

Fatbrit's right about it mostly coming down to what's in your contract. In our case, we had been explicitly told (verbally, at the time of signing) that the move out fees in our contract would be waived. Legally what was written in the contract took precedent over verbal promises, but a letter to head office threatening legal action got us all fees waived.
dbj1000 is offline  
Old Jun 15th 2010, 3:22 am
  #5  
 
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 7,605
chartreuse is an unknown quantity at this point
Default Re: Options To Dispute A MoveOut Bill

Originally Posted by dbj1000
Legally what was written in the contract took precedent over verbal promises, but a letter to head office threatening legal action got us all fees waived.
This is a fine example of a, broader, very important point. Nine times out of ten (or something) dodgy outfits that try it on, threatening legal action, collections etc are chancing their arm against the (sadly, very high) likelihood of winning by default.

This is because most people either don't contest things, or make a half-arsed job of doing so. Folks who make it clear from the beginning that they are prepared to fight it all the way often find that the chancers will drop it as not being worth the candle in comparison to all the low hanging fruit that's out there.
chartreuse is offline  
Old Jun 15th 2010, 4:41 am
  #6  
Boomshacalaca!!
 
Tarkak9's Avatar
 
Joined: Dec 2005
Location: South of the North Pole.......Colorado
Posts: 5,066
Tarkak9 has a reputation beyond reputeTarkak9 has a reputation beyond reputeTarkak9 has a reputation beyond reputeTarkak9 has a reputation beyond reputeTarkak9 has a reputation beyond reputeTarkak9 has a reputation beyond reputeTarkak9 has a reputation beyond reputeTarkak9 has a reputation beyond reputeTarkak9 has a reputation beyond reputeTarkak9 has a reputation beyond reputeTarkak9 has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Options To Dispute A MoveOut Bill

agree with penquinbar. Also, get a copy of the state's real estate manual, in there there should be a chapter relating to rental and leases. (remember, if the place is pre-78 you should have been given a lead based paint disclosure)

Save your receipts. Around here you can't charge for normal wear and tear; only malicious harm done on a property and the belongings.

When you move in and do a walk through, take pictures and a vid of the place and make copies (including notes) and give a set to the LL/Management and one for yourself... also have them sign a piece of paper acknowledging them receiving such material.
Tarkak9 is offline  
Old Jun 15th 2010, 1:47 pm
  #7  
Lost in BE Cyberspace
 
Duncan Roberts's Avatar
 
Joined: Oct 2003
Location: Avon Lake, OH
Posts: 5,270
Duncan Roberts has a reputation beyond reputeDuncan Roberts has a reputation beyond reputeDuncan Roberts has a reputation beyond reputeDuncan Roberts has a reputation beyond reputeDuncan Roberts has a reputation beyond reputeDuncan Roberts has a reputation beyond reputeDuncan Roberts has a reputation beyond reputeDuncan Roberts has a reputation beyond reputeDuncan Roberts has a reputation beyond reputeDuncan Roberts has a reputation beyond reputeDuncan Roberts has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Options To Dispute A MoveOut Bill

Originally Posted by pauline_h1b
is it very easy to hire a collection agency in US and start the collection procedure against anyone?
Three things to keep in mind about collections agencies. First, the debt is bought rather than collected and it is bought for pennies on the dollar so companies typically want to avoid using them because they won't get much. Secondly, the collections agency has to agree to buy it. If they think they won't get enough back to cover what they paid then they won't take it on. Lastly, since they didn't pay the full price of the debt they are usually willing to accept a lesser amount as long as it doesn't cost them money to do so.
Duncan Roberts is offline  
Old Jun 15th 2010, 6:21 pm
  #8  
Bob
BE Site Lead
 
Bob's Avatar
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Location: MA, USA
Posts: 92,167
Bob has a reputation beyond reputeBob has a reputation beyond reputeBob has a reputation beyond reputeBob has a reputation beyond reputeBob has a reputation beyond reputeBob has a reputation beyond reputeBob has a reputation beyond reputeBob has a reputation beyond reputeBob has a reputation beyond reputeBob has a reputation beyond reputeBob has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Options To Dispute A MoveOut Bill

Check the requirements of the State about what a landlord is responsible for.

If they are responsible for replacing the carpets every 3 years and haven't done so, threaten to sue them back. You'll actually win that one.
Bob is offline  
Old Jun 15th 2010, 11:29 pm
  #9  
 
meauxna's Avatar
 
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 35,082
meauxna has a reputation beyond reputemeauxna has a reputation beyond reputemeauxna has a reputation beyond reputemeauxna has a reputation beyond reputemeauxna has a reputation beyond reputemeauxna has a reputation beyond reputemeauxna has a reputation beyond reputemeauxna has a reputation beyond reputemeauxna has a reputation beyond reputemeauxna has a reputation beyond reputemeauxna has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Options To Dispute A MoveOut Bill

I'm going to close this because the OP has been banned and has a habit of posting only situations that apply to the one person in the world he's trying to answer them for.

Dude, registering with a female name doesn't change who you are.


If anyone has a burning need for the thread to be reopened, just message me.
meauxna
meauxna is offline  

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.