Consumer complaint received 2018-08-18
Company: NCC Business Services, Inc.
State: MA
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Other debt
Issue: False statements or representation
Sub-issue: Attempted to collect wrong amount

Complaint:
In XX/XX/2012 I rented a loft apartment from XXXX XXXX in XXXX, Massachusetts. At the time I had just finished a XXXX XXXX program. I was fortunate to get a full time job immediately in my field. Although the income was good, I paid high amounts for benefits and I was supporting my XXXX children with minimal support and zero government funding. I struggled each and every month to pay my bills including : rent, car payment, insurance and other bills. Although it was extremely difficult I managed somehow to meet my financial obligations and pay my rent each and every month in full and on time. 

While living in my apartment at XXXX XXXX we were respectful, clean and quiet tenants. One of the issues I had while living in one of the upper level apartments was that the temperature in our unit was extremely warm and uncomfortable. During the winter months we NEVER turned the heat on because the temperature was a balmy 80 degrees. With this being said we would often times have to open windows in order to breathe and sleep comfortably. I left home for work by XXXX everyday leaving my XXXX year old and XXXX young children home. My XXXX year old would get the little ones ready for school. 

Although my daughter was very responsible the task of getting her siblings ready for the day was a lot. Often times the window in our unit would be left open. It was honestly open just a crack in order for us to breathe. The property manager : XXXX XXXX at the time had left voice mail messages for me stating in a very aggressive tone that if I left the window open again it was a serious rental violation and I would either be fined or evicted because the pipes might freeze. XXXX was aware of my situation. She new I struggled to pay my rent. While living there I had filled out a low income application and we had several conversations in regards to my struggles. Nothing ever came of that application. I felt very threatened by Miss XXXX. I ended up reporting her to her manager. 

Fast forward to the end of my lease. I was in an extremely tumultuous relationship at the time. I knew I didnt want to spend another minute at XXXX XXXX because of the harassment I experienced at the hands of XXXX XXXX so I agreed to rent a house with my boyfriend at the time. It was an extremely expensive house, one that I would NEVER be able to pay on my own. 

We moved out of the XXXX and into our new place at the end of XXXX. I cleaned the entire unit thoroughly and met with XXXX after XXXX XXXX weekend to return the keys and do a walk through. She stated that I had left some belongings behind in a cabinet in the kitchen and claimed the unit looked good. Not knowing the tenant/landlord laws I never did a walk through inspection in the beginning and I didnt sign anything the day I returned my keys. This proved to be a very big mistake on my part. By the end of XXXX I was contacted by NCC service in XXXX, Florida regarding an account that was placed for {$2000.00} by XXXX XXXX XXXX. I told the gentleman that there was no damage. He said so you have an exit inspection? I told him that I didnt and that this was false and I would not be paying the bill. He then told me good luck ever renting an apartment again because your credit is ruined. 

Within that first month renting my new apartment I had a major falling out with my boyfriend and he moved out. I was terrified needless to say. I knew that I couldnt afford that rent on my own and because of this collection account I would be lucky to find someone else to rent to me. 

I did dispute the charges with NCC. At that time they sent me an itemized bill that was produced by XXXX that stated all the alleged damages. No receipts or photographs were produced at that time. I ended up putting this on the back burner for several years because I continued to struggle financially and was too intimidated to address it. 

I have worked very hard to improve my credit and even with this collection account my credit my score is over 700. My husband and I are getting ready to buy a house together and I dont need or want the stress of this being a factor in qualifying for a mortgage. I recently reached out to NCC and requested copies of photographs and receipts. They did forward some of the photographs of the alleged damage but no receipts or estimates ( which are required by law ). 

Please check out the photographs and itemized bill. 

This woman XXXX XXXX of XXXX XXXX tried to ruin a very hard working independent mother of XXXX children. Her behavior was premeditated and vindictive. She is guilty of slander and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Not only am I victim of her abusive ways but children have also suffered. 
I 100 percent believe this is and was a vindictive claim. This was done out of retaliation. 
I have tried to work with NCC and XXXX XXXX but they are standing by these fraudulent charges and refuse to do the right thing so they have left me NO choice to pursue legal action and report them to the community and the XXXX  XXXX XXXX. I will also be reporting them to the consumer credit agencies. 


List of alleged damage : 1. Replacement of pet damaged/heavy stained carpet {$1500.00} Please note that the only heavy stained/damage in the entire unit was at the front entrance hallway ( high traffic area ). Also notice the seam that shows the carpet is commercially installed carpet that can be replaced in that section alone. XXXX charged me to replace the entire unit?!!! Also note that the carpet is pulling out at the seems where it was poorly installed and not due to pet damage?!!!! It is also the responsibility of the management company to get and estimate of said damage. None was provided. 

2. Trash removal, items left in kitchen and bathroom. 
No photo of bathroom items. Photos of belongings in kitchen. Please see the attached photo that shows I have each of these items in my possession. These items were brought to my attn the day that XXXX and I did our walk through. I took them with me the day I returned the keys to her. {$37.00}??? Fraudulent charge!!!!! 

3. Cleaning charges- Washing walls food and liquid in Kitchen and living room, refrigerator, stove, oven, kitchen, cabinets, bathroom cabinet, toilet, tub, bathroom, ceiling and windows. {$110.00}. ( FRAUD ) My apartment was immaculate. Cleaner than it was when I rented it. It is not the reponsibility of the Tennant to clean vents that are not reachable due to high loft ceilings. Mildew on the bathroom ceiling is also the responsibility of the management company as the ventilation system which obviously was not working properly is the cause of that. Again also unreachable to Tennant to clean??!! The freezer/fridge was also immaculate. No dirt noticed. There was a single ice cubetray left inside and it was clean otherwise. The ice cube tray came with the refrigerator. 

4. Replacement of bathroom vanity 2 large dents on the frame and missing door? {$120.00} ( no photo provided ). This vanity was damaged and old prior to occupancy ) 5. Replacement 2 bent freezer door bars. {$75.00}. ( existing damage.. also, copy of receipt that supports bars were replaced ) 6. Replacement of bathroom light scratched lens cover. {$90.00}. ( No photo provided ). Again the one and only time that the lens cover in the high loft ceiling was ever touched was when the maintenance company came in to replace the light bulb.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation