Consumer complaint received 2022-01-03
Company: Federal Adjustment Bureau, Inc.
State: OH
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Other debt
Issue: False statements or representation
Sub-issue: Attempted to collect wrong amount

Complaint:
My issue is with " XXXX XXXX  '' property management. And is under collection from the FABCO collection agency. I lived in a rental unit XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, Ohio XXXX that they managed, from XXXX XXXX to XXXX XXXX. During this time I lived in sub-standard conditions. I gave my 30-day notice in XXXX XXXX. XXXX kept my entire security deposit and tried to extort from me an additional {$520.00} for what they call damages, but are generally considered tenant changeover expenses. The few valid expenses they charged me could have been easily covered by the security deposit with some leftover. The additional charges were 1 ) " cleaning the cabinets '' the reason the cabinets needed cleaning so badly is that, when I tried to wash them, the paint just peeled off of them. This happened because they were painted with oil-based paint originally then coated over with latex paint that I believe was flat texture but they insist it was eggshell. That doesn't matter. ANY latex will not stick to oil paint! This is commonly known and easily verified. So my attempts at washing them only made them look worse as the paint peeled away. 2 ) " replacing the carpet '' I lived there for over four years. Rental unit carpet is expected to last a maximum of 5 years. And is generally changed between tenants. The landlord tried to tell me it was a 10-year carpet. But when I asked, they never produced any proof of this. Though they said they would. I have email correspondence showing this. 3 ) " damages to the bathroom where a leak under the toilet went unrepaired. '' ( via email ) It was their claim that I never reported this. But I have proof on my phone that not only did I call maintenance but they also called me back, confirming the appointment. When he arrived he tightened the packing nut and only slowed the leak. Furthermore, my Son was there and can verify that not only did the maintenance man not complete the repair, He told me he would finish it correctly after I move out. As " it would be easier then '' I have phone records of these calls, though XXXX denied them. 4 ) " Damages to the wall under the air conditioner. This is a valid charge as the air conditioner condensation apparently damaged the wall. 
" In the email correspondence XXXX Supervisor XXXX XXXX told me she would work the problems out with me in a couple of days, but never got back to me. She also said she was willing to go to court so I could prove the charges were not valid. I never got that chance. Instead, she turned it over to a collection agency, FABCO, that has no knowledge of the circumstances. In an attempt to ruin my good credit. I tried to dispute this through XXXX, but they only call FABCO to check that the data is correct. But not if the charges are valid. If I had actually owed the money they are trying to extort from me, I would have paid this off long ago. But it is not right for a company to trump up charges to get the former tenant to pay for things that should be their responsibility! I can forward all email correspondences and phone records as needed. I have not contacted the collection agency about this directly because I was told any communication with them extends the length of time they can besmirch my credit. I do not know where to turn to get these false charges off of my record and repair my good standing with the credit bureau. I hope you can help me or direct me to someone that can. Thank you for your time and trouble. XXXX. XXXX XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation