Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in California

I am trying to disute the amount of $650.00 that the former Apartments where I have since moved from are charging me for repairs. No repairs were needed and I have pictures to prove that. I tried meeting with them and also sent a "Demand" letter. They have inturn sent the case to a collection agency. They have not placed this on my credit scor yet but they said that they will on January 4, 2010. They are telling me to pay the debt under dispute and then sue the apartments to get it back.

I don not know what to do. How can I dispute this debt to keep it from damaging my credit and not paying them money that they are not owed?


Asked on 12/14/09, 4:35 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
George Shers Law Offices of Georges H. Shers

As to the credit card situation, you should re-post the question to a more relevant category in LawGuru. Tell the Collection Agency is a writing that they know very well disputing the charge will not help as to the rating agencies. By reporting what is clearly a reasonable objection, they should hod off doing any reporting. It is extortion to tell you that they will give the claim to the credit agendy unless you pay. Tell them you have been advised by an attorney that they are opening themselves upto a law suit to collect a mere $300.

Has the former residence manager written to you within 21 days of your moving out what the reason is for any money he is holding back? If not, then he has waived his right to keep such money and the Collection Agency should be informed that the claim is barred by law.

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Answered on 12/19/09, 10:26 pm


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