Consumer complaint received 2023-12-04
Company: National Credit Systems,Inc.
State: AZ
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Rental debt
Issue: False statements or representation
Sub-issue: Attempted to collect wrong amount

Complaint:
I live in a rental home that was leased from XXXX XXXX from XX/XX/XXXX to XX/XX/XXXX. When I rented this home, I gave XXXX XXXX a deposit of {$1000.00} dollars as well as a Pet Deposit of {$650.00}. I never missed a payment and was rarely late. The first thing that occurred was each time I had an issue such as a dish washer breakage, XXXX would raise my rent one week after by {$50.00}. This happened each time I reported an issue, and it soon went to {$150.00} per incident. After a while I learned not to report an issue. After that the house was lived in and I repaired any issues that arose. At the end of my lease in XXXX XXXX XXXX, I gave XXXX a 30-day notice by email as well as a written letter. During the month after the notice no one from XXXX wanted to walk the house or speak about the rental status. I had been offered a job in AZ and we moved quickly. I hired cleaning companies and XXXX XXXX to clean the carpets. This home was in poor shape concerning leaks in the chimney and the fireplace, so it had mold. The cleaning company refused to come in and clean because of the poor state of the chimney and the water leaks. XXXX XXXX came and when connecting to the front faucet, broke it clean of into the brick. It took a few days to get XXXX at XXXX to find help to fix the faucet. The city had to turn off the water so XXXX XXXX could repair the plumbing for the water. After that there was an issue in the main line and the water was turned off again. Due to many issue with the poor water pipes on this home and getting XXXX to repair things I had to abandon the carpet cleaning. I assumed my deposit would take care of any carpet cleaning costs. I never heard from XXXX until National Credit Systems called me and stated I owed XXXX XXXX {$4000.00} for new carpet and new paint. The lady I spoke to was quite rude and insisted I would pay this debt! Their website states recover money that is rightfully owed to them by former residents so I told them the carpet and paint was Ten years old and was beyond its ability to be cleaned. NCS stated they wanted the {$4000.00} or they would place this on my credit which was done. I stated I would not pay {$5000.00} to replace carpet that was Ten years old ( including my deposit ). Since this has been on my credit, I have received several phone calls from very difficult and mean people. They will not settle and refuse to hand over any documentation from XXXX concerning the details of the carpet replacement and paint. Their website, when accessed to get the details of the debt says : There is an error accessing the files.. Cant open file. I have sent them repeated emails to their customer service email, and I have sent repeated certified mail to their address. I have received no response. All I can do is call and deal with their personnel which is difficult and always leads to a bickering match. My last call I asked them to take a settlement and they absolutely reused and stated it was all or nothing. Today I called XXXX XXXX and asked if the debt NCS was requiring me to pay was what they asked NCS to collect. I did this because of the fraudulent tactics many people claim NCS uses on the consumerfinance.gov site. I have now sent two more certified letters threatening a lawsuit. If I find that NCS has fudged any numbers, I will sue them to the fullest extent of the law. Please note : XXXX never once looked at the home while I was there. XXXX never paid any attention to the chimney, which was in poor condition when I moved in ( including old silicone to stop leaks ), and the per deposit of {$650.00} was plenty to take care of any cleaning needs because of a dog. Instead, I lost my deposit, my {$650.00} was ignored and NCS is requiring me to pay for ALL new carpet in the home. This is unfair and illegal because carpet and paint are a wear and tear item for a rental. Pet hair can be vacuumed and is not a basis to charge such a large amount of money.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation