Legal Question in Real Estate Law in Oklahoma

Apartment After Move Out Cleaning Charges

I co-signed with my son for his apartment. When he moved out with proper notice, he didn't do the "walk-through" because he had to go straight to work that day. I was contacted several months later by a collection agency saying that my son owed $650.00 for clean up and damages to the apartment, over and above his deposit and last month's rent that was paid when he moved in. I told them that we didn't agree with this charge, and that there were witnesses when my son moved out that the apartment was clean and undamaged. The collection agency said if we didn't pay, they would attach this unapid bill to both our credit reports. What are our rights?


Asked on 8/27/00, 3:56 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Kurt Kennedy Kurt M. Kennedy,Attorney at Law

Re: Apartment After Move Out Cleaning Charges

If the collection agency reports the debt to one or more credit bureaus, you have the right to submit an explanation to the same credit bureau. You may include a statement that you dispute the debt and that the creditor has never sought a legal determination of the debt in court(by suing you).

If your credit is actually affected and you suffer any damages as a result, you might be able to prevail in a "slander of credit" action. These types of actions are not very common and you might have some difficulty finding an attorney who is willing to handle such a case for you.

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Answered on 10/02/00, 2:59 pm


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