Consumer complaint received 2022-09-12
Company: Experian Information Solutions Inc.
State: MD
Product: Credit reporting, credit repair services, or other personal consumer reports
Sub-product: Credit reporting
Issue: Problem with a credit reporting company's investigation into an existing problem
Sub-issue: Their investigation did not fix an error on your report

Complaint:
To whom it may concern : I previously submitted a complaint against Experian Credit Reporting Agency and its credit reporting practices. My credit rating with Experian is XXXX, while my score is XXXX with XXXX, and XXXX with XXXX. As a result of fraudulent information on my Experian credit report, I have been denied a mortgage to purchase a house for me and my XXXX children, and I have also been denied jobs as well. I have repeatedly attempted to dispute a false and derogatory item listed only on my Experian credit report ; however, Experian continues to support the inaccurate, unfair claims of the XXXXXXXX XXXX, and by refusing to remove this item they are in violation of the FCRA. 

I moved into the Seasons Apartments, located at XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX, MD XXXX, in XX/XX/XXXX. I lived in the XXXXXXXX XXXX  for a total of 17 years with no issues or problems. I initially started out in a one-bedroom apartment at XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX, MD for around 7 years ; however, due to renovations that the property owners were doing to all the apartment units in the community, I was forced to relocate to the other side of the same building at XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Needless to say, I had no choice in the matter. They offered no incentive for the inconvenience ( such as half off the rent ), and they offered no assistance in helping me move all of my furniture and belongings. At the time, I could not afford to hire anyone to help me move. Fortunately, a friend was kind enough to assist me in moving some of the heavy pieces of furniture. I lived in this apartment for approximately 10 years. Over that span of time, I got married, had twins, was downsized from my place of employment, separated, and was left to care for XXXX toddlers alone. 

Sometime in XXXX, The tenant in the apartment above me, flooded her apartment while washing clothes. The flooding caused extensive damages and as a result the ceiling in my apartment buckled. Maintenance came to inspect the damages, and once they made their assessment, they wanted to come in and begin repairs. I could not let them make repairs because it would have been hazardous and unhealthy for my children to breath in all the dust that would come from them repairing the ceiling in both the living room and the only bathroom. Additionally, I would not have a bathroom to use. Since the damages were a result of something that was no fault of my own, I asked if they could either temporarily put us in a hotel, or offer us another apartment at the same rate. Management was unwilling to cooperate with my request. The only offer they were willing to make was to offer me another apartment at a higher rate. I was also informed that I would have to reapply for a new lease. 

I could not afford an to pay for an increase at that time. Shortly after that management informed for the first time that XXXX adult, and XXXX toddlers were over occupancy. Management told me that I had to either apply for a two-bedroom apartment at a higher rate or leave. I lived in this community for 17 years, without ever causing any problems, I always paid my rent on time, and yet, no one was willing to work with me at all. I being forced to vacate the apartment I lived in for XXXX years, from a community I paid rent to for 17 years. 

I scrambled as fast as I could to find a place that I could afford. I didnt have enough money to pay the rent for that final month as well as pay a deposit on a new place to live. It was just me and XXXX toddlers, and I had to pack and sort through 17 years of accumulated belongings, including clothes. In addition, I had to arrange for a moving company to move my furniture and belongings. I worked as fast as I could to get out by the deadline I was given. All of this occurred as I was still mourning the death of my father, who just passed the XXXX before ; and having to take XXXX of my XXXX sons to have XXXX in XXXX. 

Before I could clean-up and remove the trash that I had placed into a large cardboard box, and get the last of my belongings, management brought the XXXX over to put me out, and change the locks. I was told that they would put the rest of my things outside, and I could come by at that time and get the things I wanted to keep ; however, after showing-up every morning for a week, they never put my things outside of the apartment so I could get them. They either threw my things away or someone kept them. Management even kept my security deposit. 

As I previously stated, the major damage in the apartment was caused by the tenant that lived above me. My former upstairs neighbor overloaded the machine, causing the machine to overflow, which flooded her apartment, and caused the ceiling in my apartment to buckle and also damaged the carpet throughout the apartment. Any other repairs they made would have been the result of normal wear and tear from anyone living in an apartment for over XXXX years, and are common repairs that are typical in every apartment after a tenant moves out. 

More importantly, if I were responsible for the damages, they are trying to charge me for, they had the option of taking me to court within the three-year statute of limitations. I moved out in XX/XX/XXXX. It is my assertion that the court would have agreed that there would be a reasonable degree of wear and tear when a property is occupied for that length of time. The only thing the XXXX Apartments have provided as proof of damages is a list of items repaired ; however, that does not substantiate any proof that I am responsible for the damage. They should have been required to provide maintenance records for the upstairs unit as well. 

Additionally, I have never signed a lease with XXXX XXXX ; the current property owners, the lease I signed was with the previous property owners, XXXX XXXX XXXX No one should be treated in this manner after being a good tenant for 17 years with any community. In spite of this, Experian continues to keep this derogatory information on my credit report, and with every challenge I file, Experian continuously decreases my credit score a few points each time. However, I will continue to dispute this derrogortory information until it is removed. I beseech you to have Experian to remove this information, and my credit report and adjust my score to reflect the responsible efforts I make to maintain excellent credit. Thank you for your time and consideration. 

Sincerely, XXXX XXXX

Company public response: Company has responded to the consumer and the CFPB and chooses not to provide a public response
Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation