Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in Texas

Hi,

I just moved out of my apartment at the end of June and I received a letter from collection agency yesterday on the amount of $259. I called the agency and they told me that the charges were for some unpaid bills, carpet cleaning and trash that I left in the apartment. He asked for my new address and when I told him I would call him back he hang up the phone on me. I called the apartment complex afterward and they said my water bill which it was paid up to date when I left was $32 because they were running 2 months late, whatever that means. I gave no security deposit when I moved in so please tell what can I do now. I do not one a give 1 cent to those people.

p.s. They had my phone number but never tried to contact me before going to a collection agency. Is it legal what they are doing? How bad this would hurt my credit if I don't pay.


Asked on 8/15/09, 5:27 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Keith Engelke Law Office of S. Keith Engelke

The next time the apartment complex or the collection agency calls tell them to please provide you proof of the alleged debt in writing. Send a certified letter to the apartment complex and to the collection agency an ask them to provide you written proof and verification of the alleged debt.

Your contract with the apartment complex governs the charges they can make. Usually there is a security deposit paid at the beginning. The complex uses the deposit to pay any costs of clean up and sends you the balance. There is probably a provision in the contract that covers the cost of cleanup and the water bill if there is no deposit.

If you need help reviewing the contract, feel free to contact me.

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Answered on 8/15/09, 7:14 pm


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