Consumer complaint received 2022-01-20
Company: Professional Debt Mediation, Inc.
State: NC
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Other debt
Issue: False statements or representation
Sub-issue: Attempted to collect wrong amount

Complaint:
Good Afternoon, I moved out of XXXX XXXX XXXX and XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX in XX/XX/XXXX. I submitted my Notice to Vacate letter on XX/XX/XXXX and moved out on XX/XX/XXXX. I was advised that eviction would not be listed on my rental history because I vacated voluntarily. According to page 1 of my lease it states that either landlord or tenant may terminate this rental agreement at the end of the rental term by giving written notice to the other at least ( 60 ) days or at least ( 30 ) days before the end of the original term if the original term is two months or less. My final charges were to pay XXXX and XXXX 's rent due to moving out a month before my lease was up. The monthly rent was {$780.00}, which means that two months of rent would be {$1500.00}. However, the leasing office also billed me for an excessive amount of damages, re-rental cost, and a water bill for 46 days which is why I have not paid anything. Please see the information provided below : 1. Water bill : paid the water bill to XXXX ( Confirmation # : XXXX - Account # : XXXX - Date : XX/XX/XXXX XXXX XXXX - Payment Amount : {$120.00} ) 2. Damages - The ledger states that I owe damage charges for window blinds, 2 interior doors, wall repair, floor sealing, and carpet replacement in the amount of {$730.00}. However, I have requested proof of the excessive damage charges listed because they are absurd. I lived in between XXXX  and XXXX XXXX  for that whole year for XXXX  school and I was barely at the house to cause any reckless damages of such. I also thoroughly cleaned out the home upon moving out, and all of my previous rental landlords can attest to the upkeep and move-out cleaning that I do. The Residential Landlord-Tenant Act states that tenants are not liable for certain things, such as normal wear and tear, damage caused by third parties, damage that existed when I moved in, or unreasonable charges. I have requested proof of damages to understand why I am being charged for things like carpet replacement, which is supposed to be done upon every move-out and release. As well as floor sealing, which happens in a lot of apartment homes and is not at the responsibility of the tenant. In addition to wall repair, interior doors, and blinds. I am unsure where all of these charges are coming from and I have reached out to the apartment complex and collection agency for evidence to explain why I, the ex-tenant, am responsible for such charges. Also, on the move-in inspection report, you can see that the apartment was not in tip-top shape when moved in. Therefore, they did not provide a full and specific statement of alleged damages and repair costs within 21 days of when I moved out. They only provided estimates of repair costs on a ledger. Under a court case called XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX, these estimates are not good enough. They did not comply with the law. 

3. On the ledger it shows that I received a credit for 24 days left in XXXX for moving out on the XXXX. Then, it shows I am charged for the re-rental cost and the remaining rent of the lease term. I need proof that these charges are of my responsibility with ( 1 ) proof and ( 2 ) the calculations of the charges. 

Sincerely, XXXX XXXX XXXX

Company public response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law
Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation