Consumer complaint received 2023-10-12
Company: COLLECTIONS USA, INC.
State: AZ
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Rental debt
Issue: Attempts to collect debt not owed
Sub-issue: Debt is not yours

Complaint:
I moved into the apartment complex called XXXX XXXX in 2021 and immediately started having issues with the management in the complex. They were very unprofessional and always received fee notices for things that didn't make sense. However, the main issue was due to the numerous eviction attempts and charges they made without following due process. Our apartment was unhabitable for 4 months due to roof leakage ( not related to our use of the apartment ) which made a hole in the ceiling. The leack impacted XXXX of the bedrooms and hallway.They had to come in tear walls down and rebuild them and replace carpets. We were instructed to remove all furniture out of the areas of impact and highly inconvenienced the other living areas.They took a very long time to fix this issue and due open insulation, my son began to have severe allergic reactions to the air. We were never removed from the apartment or provided temporary housing and were charged full rent for all the months. They actually proceeded to increase our rent during that time, even though we had a signed lease agreement with a lower rate. Around this time as well, we started having issues with the washer which we reported numerous times in person and via email. Their excuse was to not fixing it was because it still turned on and they would not replace it. They were also too busy. Due to this issue for months, we decided to buy our own washer after asking for permission to do so. We removed the dysfunctional washer and placed it in the front patio for them to pick up. They did not and proceeded to push an eviction notice due to the washer being on the patio. Their argument was that they had no place to put the washer and thus could not remove it from the apartment. I was responsible to keep the washer inside the apartment. So I had to move it to the bedroom patio. After 9 months, they had attained a new washer to install in the apartment, but I asked if I could keep my washer instead as I had already purchased it. They stated they would follow up with corporate. However, within a week and no response to the original question, they served us an eviction notice due to failing to remove the washer from the patio. At this point, I did proceed to move out and clean the apartment fully before leaving. They attempted to charge me $ XXXX for miscellaneous fees and would fail to provide the source of these fees. We had no reason to be evicted. There was no proof of any error on my end and they failed to follow proper eviction process. It was never sent to court, there was no court hearing with a judge. Nothing of the sort. They have reported 2 evictions on my credit report and my sons which is making it very difficult to qualify for another place because of this. The main point of contact in the office was XXXX XXXX. She is very unreasonable, very disrespectful, and outright unprofessional. She continuously threatened to kick us out throughout the entire time we lived there. 
Now, she sent me to collections for a balance due to alleged damages to the property. I took pictures of the apartment prior to our move and she is unwilling to show proof of said damages. We attempted to get assistance from the corporate property management company XXXX XXXX XXXX. No one is there to provide help. They still refuse to provide any documentation of the eviction notices and/or reason for remaining balance.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation