Consumer complaint received 2024-08-28
Product: Debt collection — Rental debt
Issue: Attempts to collect debt not owed — Debt is not yours
Company: FAIR COLLECTIONS & OUTSOURCING, INC. (FL)

Summary : After moving out of a rental property, there were deductions made to my ( the tenant ) 's security deposit that were incorrect and disputed. The dispute outlined {$250.00} worth of charges, including a {$200.00} carpet cleaning charge that was already addressed by the tenant with receipt proof sent to the leasing agency. After following the instructions from the leasing agency, there was never any response received for the dispute, and eventually communication with the tenant was cut off. The debt was then sent to a collections agency which also did not address the dispute. 

Timeline : XXXX - Move-in Date XXXX - Received email scheduling the pre move-out visit which included contact info for XXXX  XXXX. 

XXXX - Pre move-out visit occurs - After inspection of home, leasing agency associate discussed with tenants the actions that were needed to prevent security deposit deductions. 

Section 2 describes requirements for carpet cleaning. " Please leave a copy of your receipt in the home or provide one to your XXXX XXXX ''. No paper receipt was received upon carpet cleaning completion, so electronic receipt was sent to XXXX XXXX. 

Section 3 does not include anything about pots that were part of landscaping upon move in date, nor pile of firewood that was also present upon move in. 

XXXX - Forwarded the carpet cleaning receipt to the XXXX XXXX. 

XXXX - Move-out statement is received via email from leasing agency. 

XXXX - Leasing agency is called because of inaccurate charges on move-out statement. 

XXXX - Response received via email from Customer Service Representative detailing instructions for submitting the dispute. 

XXXX - Dispute submitted to XXXX XXXXProperty Manager. Dispute outlined {$250.00} worth of charges that are invalid with proof. Other charges in move-out statement did not provide any clear evidence of issues, but were not disputed because of lack of proof on tenant 's side as well. 

XXXX - Allowed 5-7 business days for response as requested. Eight business days later there was no response from the Property Manager. Contacted Customer Service Representative agent asking for follow up. 

XXXX - Customer Service Representative responds the same day informing the tenant that the Property Manager should respond by the end of the day. 

XXXX - Four business days later, still no response from the Property Manager. Asked Customer Service Representative for confirmation that the Property Manager has tried to reach out and has the correct contact information for the tenant. 

XXXX - Nine business days later, now no response from Customer Service Representative or Property Manager. Attempted to call the local office but no answer. Left a voice mail detailing the issues and lack of response to the dispute. 

XXXX - Nothing further ever heard from the leasing agency. Notice of debt being forwarded to a debt collection agency received via email. 

XXXX - Dispute submitted to the debt collection agency, with all of the proof, receipts, and emails between leasing agency submitted as attachments. See the attached satellite/street view images that provide proof of the satellite dish and plant pots being present before the move-in date of XXXX. 

XXXX - Waited 30 days for response as requested, but heard nothing back. 52 days later, received a notice of verification of the disputed debt from the debt collection agency via email. Nothing was addressed about the {$200.00} carpet cleaning charge or other invalid charges. The only additional document that was provided was the move-in condition form, which did not cover any of the addressed issues.