Consumer complaint received 2024-01-04
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 (CA)

I am writing to address a matter related to an unjust charge that has significantly impacted my financial standing and credit history. 

In summary, I rented an apartment from the Apartment Manager XXXX for a one-year lease, during which an unwarranted charge of {$3000.00} was imposed for alleged damages. I disagree with the charges, as I possess concrete evidence proving that the damages existed prior to my move-in. Moreover, upon my move-out, the apartment was returned in a very good condition overall, with no major damages and well within the normal wear and tear. 

I took the initiative to present my case by sending a detailed letter and supporting evidence to XXXX via mail. In this communication, I requested that the debt be cleared due to the evidence provided. XXXX, via email, confirmed the reception of the letter and evidence, but unfortunately, XXXX never cleared the balance imposed on me, nor replied to follow up on the case. Instead, I recently discovered that the debt has been sold to the debt collector XXXX. 

Subsequently, XXXX has begun contacting me to collect the outstanding balance, a balance that I firmly dispute. This situation is not only causing me financial distress but is also adversely affecting my credit history. 

I kindly request your assistance in resolving this matter. I urge XXXX to review the evidence I previously provided to XXXX, and reconsider the unjust charges imposed. 


To provide additional details and context : On XX/XX/XXXX, my family and I moved into the apartment located at XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX, CA XXXX ( XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  ). According to the signed lease agreement, our move-out date was stated as XX/XX/XXXX. However, we physically vacated the apartment a week earlier, on XX/XX/XXXX, as we had completely relocated to our new address. 



On XX/XX/XXXX, I received a statement at my new address indicating a charge of {$3000.00} from XXXX, the real estate management company that manages the XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX. The charges imposed included : 1 ) Rent for XX/XX/XXXX XXXX ) Utilities from XX/XX/XXXX - XX/XX/XXXX XXXX ) Painting 4 ) Cleaning 5 ) Damages to floor seals and floor replacement 6 ) Carpet I dispute the first two charges, 1 ) Rent for XX/XX/XXXX, and 2 ) Utilities, for the following reasons : 1 ) Rent for XX/XX/XXXX : Our move-out date, as per the contract, was XX/XX/XXXX. We returned all the keys and signed the move-out form on that day. Charging rent for XX/XX/XXXX, is unjustified as we had vacated the apartment before that date. 

2 ) Utilities from XX/XX/XXXX - XX/XX/XXXX : Until the last day, we always paid rent + utilities fully as per each month 's statement. In XXXX, we paid with a Cashier 's Check the total of {$2000.00} ( {$1900.00} of rent + {$100.00} of utilities ; the website was not working, and the leasing office asked for the payment with a cashier 's check, which we did ). 

In XXXX, we paid the total of {$2000.00} ( {$1900.00} of rent + {$110.00} of utilities ) It is not clear why I am being charged for extra utilities outside of those I paid, which I explained above. 



Regarding charges 3 to 6 ( Painting, Cleaning, Damages to Floor Seals and Floor Replacement, and Carpet ), I provide the following details : Upon moving in on XX/XX/XXXX, because of the pandemic, we experienced an unconventional move-in process. The keys to the apartment were simply left on the kitchen counter, and no formal move-in protocol was followed. However, upon completing our own inspection on XX/XX/XXXX, we emailed the move-in inspection form, along with photographs showing the apartment 's condition at the time of the move-in, to the Leasing Office. 

Among the various issues identified during the move-in, I documented the following concerns : - Scratched flooring - Damaged/dented floor in a specific area - Unfilled nail holes in the wall that were not addressed before our move-in - Damaged curtain - Dirty and damaged paint in certain areas - Mistreated wall molding in a specific section, among other findings All these findings were documented and sent to the leasing office via email to ensure they were kept on record. 


Upon move-out in XX/XX/XXXX, the leasing office did not conduct an apartment move-out inspection with me present but only requested key return and document signing at the Leasing Office. However, on our end, we took photographs of the apartment to record evidence of its condition, including the walls, paint, floors, and overall cleanliness. The apartment was left in good and clean condition overall. In general, no major damage occurred, and everything was within the normal wear and tear. 

Moreover, on XX/XX/XXXX, the day we vacated the apartment, we took the initiative to repair and fill all the nail holes in the walls caused by hanging pictures and decorations. This included repairing holes that were present from the time of our move-in, which were made by the previous tenants and had not been repaired before we received the apartment. 


Upon receiving the charges statement on XX/XX/XXXX, from XXXX, we immediately reached out to the contact listed on the letter, seeking clarification. Regrettably, their response was unhelpful, and they stood behind the balance without explanation. 
I sent XXXX a mail with a letter requesting them to clear the balance, and provided hard copies of the pictures of the apartment and inspection form as evidence, to support my request. XXXX did reply by email, confirming the mail reception, but never cleared the balance charged to me for the total of {$3000.00}. 


I have been receiving SMSs and calls from a debt collector named XXXX demanding payment. This situation has adversely affected my credit score as well. I appreciate your kind assistance and guidance in rectifying this unfair situation caused by XXXX and now XXXX. 


I attach have all the supporting evidence, such as emails to the XXXX XXXX XXXX Leasing Office, pictures of the apartment upon move-in and move-out, and the Move-In inspection form. I also have evidence of the emails and conversations with the Apartment Manager XXXX, and evidence of them receiving my mail requesting for the balance to be cleared, which they did not. 


Thank you in advance for the kind support and guidance,