Consumer complaint received 2025-04-04 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Rental debt
Issue: Attempts to collect debt not owed — Debt is not yours
Company: Aldous & Associates, PLLC
State: NC

Complaint narrative:
I am formally disputing an invalid debt reported by Aldous and Associates PL on behalf of XXXX XXXX that is inaccurately listed on my credit report. 

There is no enforceable lease or lawful tenancy. While a digital housing agreement was electronically signed in XX/XX/year>, the agreement itself stated that it would only be valid if one of the following steps was completed within 7 days ( 1 ) submitting a guarantor form ( 2 ) prepaying two months rent ( 3 ) providing proof of income showing three times the monthly rent Exact language from the agreement reads Failure to provide one of the above will not release Resident from financial responsibility but will entitle Owner, at its option, to deny move in or terminate for non performance, following written notice. 

While the language attempts to preserve financial responsibility, it contradicts itself by also giving the Owner the option to deny move in or terminate the agreement. In my case XXXX XXXX XXXX exercised that right. They never assigned a unit, never issued keys, and never confirmed occupancy. I also never received written notice of termination. This contradiction means the contract was never finalized or executed, and I am not legally responsible for rent or a lease that was never fulfilled. 

Additionally, I never submitted the required financial documentation, never moved in, never paid a deposit or rent, and the lease listed my unit as XXXX. XXXX XXXX also emailed me directly confirming that without submitting financial backing, I would not be allowed to move in. 

Despite this, a collection for XXXX dollars was placed on my credit by Aldous and Associates. This is the only derogatory item on my report and has severely impacted my credit since age XXXX. It has directly affected my ability to qualify for legitimate housing despite my full time employment and financial stability. 

This debt is not valid. There was no completed lease, no occupancy, no services rendered, and the financial requirements were not fulfilled. I am requesting that this collection be permanently removed from all credit reporting agencies and tenant screening databases. 

I also formally request full validation of the agreement, including IP address of the electronic signature Timestamp and signature metadata Identity verification method used Proof of submitted financial documentation Documentation showing move in, key transfer, or unit assignment Legal basis for collection under these circumstances This collection attempt also appears to violate several consumer protection laws The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act FDCPA by attempting to collect and report a debt that is not legally owed or enforceable The Fair Credit Reporting Act FCRA by furnishing inaccurate and unverifiable information to the credit bureaus And potentially the North Carolina Unfair and Deceptive Trade Practices Act by misrepresenting a conditional interest form as a binding lease and pursuing collections after no unit was assigned and move in was denied I request that these violations be taken into consideration in the resolution of this complaint and that appropriate enforcement or removal actions be taken.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation