Consumer complaint received 2025-06-10 00:00:00
Product: Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Problem with a company's investigation into an existing problem — Their investigation did not fix an error on your report
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: FL

Complaint narrative:
On XX/XX/year>, I began leasing an apartment located at XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX. I was unable to tour this apartment in-person before leasing because I was living XXXX hours away, before moving to XXXX. Shortly after moving in, I discovered a major building code violation and then contacted the XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX 's XXXX. On XX/XX/year>, the building inspector conducted an inspection of the building where I was leasing an apartment ( managed by XXXX XXXX at XXXX ). The Inspector advised that the building was in an unsafe/uninhabitable condition due to a complete severance/crack in the concrete foundation of the staircase leading up to the front door of my apartment, located on the XXXX XXXX  ( see enclosed photos ). The Inspector stated that repairing the severance required a building permit ( also required by XXXX  XXXX, XXXX which states in relevant part, A building permit is required for any person, firm, corporation, or governmental entity to construct, erect, alter, modify, repair, or demolish any building or structure, unless specifically exempted by law. ).

The Inspector also advised that it would take approximately XXXX XXXX XXXX  months to obtain such a permit. Hurricane season was to begin in XXXX  within XXXX week, and XXXX historically serious & destructive hurricanes ultimately hit the XXXX area directly within the span of XXXX weeks thereafter ( a once-in-a-century phenomenon ). Notably, every building in the apartment complex was in the same or similar unsafe condition, as public records indicate that these buildings are at least XXXX XXXX XXXX and poorly maintained, as evidenced in the enclosed photos. 

The extreme severity of the structural crack thus created an imminent emergency, to which the only reasonable resolution was to vacate the property. I then reached out to the property manager to resolve the matter in good faith. Their response included an admission that the crack existed and that it needed to be addressed, coupled with a suggestion to break the law by attempting the repair without a permit, thereby creating increased risk to my personal safety ( see enclosures ). 

XXXX law allows tenants to vacate in situations involving dangerous/uninhabitable buildings that can not be cured within XXXX days, as long as XXXX days of written notice is provided to the landlord ( XXXX XXXX XXXX ). Written notice of intent to vacate was provided to the property XXXX XXXX weeks in advance, as is consistent with XXXX  law ( see enclosures ). The property was left in the same condition in which it was rented upon move-in, without additional or undue property damage or waste. The property XXXX has not provided notice or proof of any legal judgments obtained on which to base this amount owed, as required by XXXX  law. Public records in XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX ( original jurisdiction ) do not reflect any judgments relating to this matter pending or outstanding. The property manager has not provided any proof of reasonable attempts made on their part to legally repair the property and rent it to a new tenant, as required by XXXX  law. The lease was not subject to liquidated damages. 

XXXX XXXX XXXX  added a collections account to my credit report that states that I owe them {$2500.00}. Based on the foregoing, these remarks on my credit report are misleading and do not provide an accurate or complete picture of the situation. I disputed this claim with Experian and Equifax credit bureaus. Experian credit bureau affirmed the dispute in XXXX day, which suggests that they did not evaluate the merits of my dispute whatsoever. 

On XX/XX/XXXX, I contacted the relevevant collection agency, XXXX XXXX XXXX in attempt to amicably resolve the matter and they stated that there no options to resolve this matter, other than paying the debt in full without any payment plan options. The collection agent also said they do not verify the truth or legality of the debts submitted by their clients in any way. I am without the financial means to hire an attorney to represent me in connection with this matter. 

I am seeking relief/assistance with removing the above-referenced collections account and any derogatory remarks associated therewith from my credit report, as this lease was not formed legally to begin with. It is unlawful in every state to lease unsafe property that is not compliant with building code. The lease was terminated in accordance with reasonable procedures prescribed by law, resulting in no unfair prejudice to the property owner. This so-called debt is nothing mre than an illegal and illegitimate attempt by a malicious landlord to profit by avoiding safe housing laws and exploiting vulnerable tenants at the same time. Allowing this account to remain on my credit report would cause undue harm in terms of making it prohibitively difficult to obtain housing, which clearly contrary to public policy. 

ENCLOSURES : Photos of breakage on top of staircase Copy of email correspondence with XXXX XXXX Building Inspector Copy of timely Notice to Vacate ( reflects more than XXXX days notice of intent to vacate, provided to Property XXXX ) Copy of email correspondence with XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX Copy of credit report entry.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation