Consumer complaint received 2024-07-11
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 (TN)

I had a 13 month lease on an apartment in XXXX XXXX ( XXXX Squared # XXXX ) which is managed by XXXX Properties XXXX The complex closed key amenities in early XXXX, and I communicated the problems with the Resident Relations XXXX XXXX and XXXX. In XX/XX/XXXX, XXXX confirmed in writing that I could terminate my lease in XXXX and I would not owe the remaining two months on my lease agreement. 

Several months later, XXXX invoiced me for the remaining rent and final repairs, etc. I paid the repairs promptly, but sent them copies of the documentation from their building XXXX. Over 2 months, their internal collections team, led by XXXX XXXX XXXX, decided that they would not honor their representatives release of the remaining balance. Despite my good faith efforts to provide all my documentation, they turned my account over to collections, in the amount of {$4500.00}. 

I filed two complaints with the XXXX, and they finally gave up and said I should contact the CFPB for this issue now. I provided the collections agency all my documentation regarding the release of the last two months of my lease obligation. 

My response to the collection agency follows : Please use this email as notice that I am disputing the debt. The property XXXX at the XXXX XXXX apartment building released me from the last two months of my rent obligation because of a material change to the amenities that were included in my lease arrangement. Details follow : 1. The lease documented a list of property amenities for this building, including an outdoor pool, pool deck with grills and an air-conditioned business center/clubhouse. 
2. The XXXX closed the amenities above in early XXXX and could not provide a timeline when they would reopen the amenities. 
3. I spoke to the property XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, Resident Relations Coordinator ) who was employed by XXXX XXXX ( Landlord ) on XX/XX/XXXX to discuss the problems, after sending her an email. I requested that if the amenities were not reopened by XX/XX/XXXX, I would like to terminate my lease two months early and vacate the unit on or before XX/XX/XXXX. 
4. XXXX took my request to her supervisor ( XXXX ), and she emailed me with confirmation that this would be acceptable on XX/XX/XXXX ( attached ). 
5. I provided notice in writing and documented the reason for the termination notice.

6. I vacated the unit on XX/XX/XXXX, and spoke to the new property XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ) on-site before leaving, to confirm that my notice was received, and I would not be charged the remaining two months of rent. I provided copies of my documentation to the new property representatives for their records. 
7. I received notice of small repairs and cleanup needed on the unit in XX/XX/XXXX, and paid it in full. 
8. Following that, I received notice of the remaining unpaid rent. I escalated a complaint to XXXX and the Better Business Bureau, since I had written documentation of my release of this obligation from the building management. Despite multiple attempts to share this documentation with XXXX, they were largely uncommunicative. 
9. I have had not contact with the XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX.