Ridiculous amount on credit from apartment complex?

Question

An apartment complex we lived at for a year said they were not renewing our lease and that we had to vacate the apartment by the 16th of Jan. last year. We moved out. We owe the last month's rent, which is $940. We saw on our credit they have a collections account on us for $3,000.00! We paid a deposit and never got it back and they never sent us a description or breakdown of damages. I'm sure it needed new carpet and paint but that's what you pay a deposit for. What the h**l could this huge amount possibly be for?? We were never behind and we didn't break anything that I know of.

Answer 1

Actually, carpet and paint is considered wear and tear unless you burnt holes in it. So no, that is not what your deposit was for anyway.

Also, you need to remember if you gave them a forwarding address or not. This is pivotal to your case because they would have sent the breakdown of damages to your forwarding address. Seeing how you just hightailed it out of there, I'm assuming you didn't give them a forwarding address. Therefore, you lose your entitlement of $1,880 ( law states they have to pay double security deposit even with damages, if they did not give you breakdown). You could have taken it to small claims court and EASILY won. So...did you give a forwarding address or not?

The $3,000 is probably because of collection costs they added...as well as whatever damage was done to the property.But it would seem that is a very high amount and you need to get on the phone with them.

ALSO-  I lived at this one apartment that had serious fees if you broke the contract/lease. It was like $2,000. So you may have broken the contract when you left without paying. it may depend on when you left. Did you leave the apartment before Jan 16th?

Answer 2

The complex should have sent you a breakdown of costs charged against you, IF you provided them with a forwarding address.  Under law, they need only send the charges breakdown to the tenant's last known address.  If you didn't give a forwarding address, the last known address is the unit which you vacated on January 16.

You are also misinformed about a security deposit.  It is not intended to cover ALL costs for damages you cause.  Do you actually think that you could trash a place to the tune of $10,000, and expect that a $940 security deposit would cover that ?  Wake up !  It doesn't work that way.

You need to contact the apartment management and ask for a breakdown of the charges you incurred.

Answer 3

Most likely it includes back rent, damages (carpet & painting could well exceed your deposit amount), late fees on the back rent, attorney fees, court costs & interest.  Sounds like you were sued.

Answer 4

A security deposit does cover some of what you would owe....but if you owe more than that due to damages, you're out of luck.

Normal wear and tear DOES NOT come out of your deposit.

Call the complex/agency and ask for a breakdown of the bill.  Chances are you're screwed.  You may also want to look at your lease and see the 'fine print' about what you may owe when you move out.