Consumer complaint received 2023-11-15
Product: Debt collection — Rental debt
Issue: Attempts to collect debt not owed — Debt is not yours
Company: Rowland Avenue Management, Inc. A/KA Columbia Debt Recovery, LLC d/b/a Genesis (VA)

The company is trying to collect on an unlawfully claimed debt erroneously claimed by original landlord. The company has failed to do its due diligence to properly validate the claim. The company, therefore, has no basis for collection against me. 

I moved out of an apartment building called XXXX XXXX XXXX located in Washington , DC and then owned and operated by XXXX in early XX/XX/XXXX. Upon moving out, I provided the apartment in suitable condition minus ordinary wear and tear. 

I attempted to follow-up with XXXX XXXX XXXX 's office from move-out until XX/XX/XXXX by telephone to confirm they would be returning my security deposit, plus interest, as required by DC law. After failing to respond to my many telephone calls, I emailed the building management on XX/XX/XXXX, XX/XX/XXXX and XX/XX/XXXX before receiving a response. I then had to email XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX on XX/XX/XXXX before finally receiving a call. During this call, XXXX XXXX XXXX employee ( named XXXX XXXX informed me that they would be charging me for several items of wear and tear ( my characterization ), and to paint the walls - claiming that I had painted them while living in the apartment. I informed XXXX that the claimed items were normal wear and tear, and the apartment walls were the same color as when I moved in - I never painted them. I provided XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX with proof of the latter. 

In addition, during this XX/XX/XXXX telephone call, I informed XXXX XXXX XXXX that I would be claiming compensation for property damage caused by multiple incidents of flooding that building staff negligently failed to remedy. 

On about XX/XX/XXXX, I received correspondence from XXXX corporate headquarters further asserting this unlawful claim. I explained to " XXXX XXXX '' by telephone that the claim was incorrect and I was due my security deposit, interest, and property damage compensation. On XX/XX/XXXX, XXXX XXXX emailed XXXX XXXX XXXX ( and possibly accidentally CCd me ) requesting documentation for the unlawfully claimed charges. I also provided XXXX XXXX with proof of my position ( as mentioned above ). On XX/XX/XXXX, XXXX XXXX indicated they were still waiting on the XXXX XXXX XXXX office to provide documentation. This was the last communication I received from anybody at XXXX on this unlawfully claimed debt. 

To date, they have not responded to my requests for information or proof of their claim. They have not returned my security deposit ( plus interest ) as required by DC law. 

I understand the company has now purchased this claim from XXXX, which may terminate XXXX 's claim. I do not believe it validates any claimed debt. Further, I suppose that means my claim is now against the company. Therefore, as stated in my feedback to a previous CFPB claim, which CFPB appears to have closed, I will accept the following as satisfaction of my claim against XXXX and/or the company : 1 ) return my security deposit, plus interest, along with a statement of interest as required by XXXX XXXX XXXX 2 ) {$1000.00} for property damage caused by XXXX XXXX extreme negligence 3 ) {$1000.00} compensation for my time, costs, and enduring this unlawful claim 4 ) apology from XXXX for their unlawful practices 5 ) XXXX to submit the property at XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX to a full, city and federal health and safety inspection to protect current and future residents from many of the health and safety issues I faced