Consumer complaint received 2023-11-21
Company: Professional Debt Mediation, Inc.
State: GA
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Rental debt
Issue: False statements or representation
Sub-issue: Attempted to collect wrong amount

Complaint:
I have received your letter regarding a supposedly outstanding debt to XXXX XXXX Apartments. This ledger does not reflect my email or verbal communications with the leasing manager. From our email conversation on XX/XX/XXXX, at XXXXXXXX XXXX., which included XXXX XXXX, my attorney XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX, and XXXX XXXX, I inquired as to why there was still a balance of {$820.00}. As of the date on the outstanding balance ledger ( XXXX XX/XX/XXXX ), nobody has yet responded to my inquiry. However, I received a letter from a collection agency dated XX/XX/XXXX. I've also observed that you have my Notice Date of XX/XX/XXXX, and my Move-Out Date of XX/XX/XXXX. Nevertheless, your statement date is XX/XX/XXXX. 
According to number 7, titled Security Deposit, under Move-out Inspection of the Landlord tenant handbook, within three ( 3 ) business days after the lease expires or a reasonable time after the landlord discovers you have left, the landlord must inspect the unit and prepare a list of all damage and the estimated dollar value of such damage. The landlord must sign the list and hand it over to you. Considering this, your own admission demonstrates that you were aware of my move-out date ( XX/XX/XXXX ). This information can also be found under GA Code 44-7-33 ( 2020 ) Therefore, you had until XX/XX/XXXX, to submit the damages manifest for my approval. How could you legally report me to a debt collector if I was not given the opportunity to dispute the charges on the move-out list? 
I am billed {$150.00} for " full unit cleaning '' according to this statement. I am perplexed because you received a " clean '' unit back. According to my research, the state of Georgia prohibits the imposition of a cleaning fee unless it is specifically stated in the lease. I do realize that if the unit was not cleaned, a fee should be assessed because you would not have received the unit in the same condition as when you rented it. According to the # 12 ( Condition of the Premises ) section of my rental agreement, there is no mention of a cleaning fee. It merely states, " Upon moving out, the RESIDENT agrees to return the apartment in the same condition as when it was received, with reasonable wear expected. '' My question for you is : what precisely required cleaning? A {$100.00} " full unit carpet cleaning '' surcharge was also added to my bill. I, too, am perplexed by this fee. I bought a carpet cleaner and utilized it during my tenancy. As part of my move-out cleaning, I utilized the carpet cleaner. Do you have any visual evidence to prove that these accusations are justified? 
Lastly, I noticed on the balance sheet, you have my deposit listed as if I owe you all that. I am aware of the deposit being forfeited, but even that is an issue the amount of my deposit that they would keep wouldve been enough to cover the entire fees they are stating I owed which is XXXX due to my deposit was XXXX.I need this collection removed from my credit report within 15 days or you all will be hearing from my attorney due to false allegations and committing fraud stating I owe a balance when in reality all evidence is in the emails and documents providing I left without a balance.This has affected my credit report tremendous Lu due to I was in the process of refinancing my house and if it doesnt get removed in time of closing Ill be pursuing with a civil suit against the company.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation