Consumer complaint received 2025-07-02 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Rental debt
Issue: Attempts to collect debt not owed — Debt is not yours
Company: National Credit Systems,Inc.
State: TX

Complaint narrative:
In XX/XX/XXXX, I submitted a formal lease termination request to XXXX XXXX  XXXXXXXX XXXX  in XXXX XXXX, Texas, under Texas Property Code Section 92.016 due to credible safety concerns involving my father. My father has a long criminal history, including XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX and repeated violations of protective orders, which I have documented. Earlier that year, my sister passed away, and while grieving, I reconnected with my father, mistakenly believing he had changed. His manipulative and controlling behavior quickly resurfaced, leaving me fearful for my safety, especially since he knew my apartment address. 

On XX/XX/XXXX, I provided XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX with written notice of lease termination effective XX/XX/XXXX, along with a police report documenting my safety concerns. The responding officer included in the report that moving to a different unit was an option, but given my fathers violent history and manipulation, remaining at the complex was not safe. I chose not to pursue a protective order at this time because, under Texas law, the abuser would be formally notified, which would have further risked my safety. He has also broken multiple orders in the past. It's just a piece of paper to him. 

Between XXXX and XXXX, I repeatedly followed up with XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX management. Each time, I was told they were waiting to hear back from their legal team and was denied the ability to speak with them directly during the urgent period before I moved out. It was not until XX/XX/XXXX, nearly two months after my initial request, that I was finally allowed to speak with their legal team. During that conversation, they stated that my situation did not fall under Texas Property Code Section 92.016 and instead tried to claim it fell under Texas Family Code 71.004 ( 1 ). They asserted that what I provided was not sufficient under that specific definition, despite the extensive documentation I had submitted demonstrating my safety concerns and my fathers violent criminal background. 

Their delay in addressing my urgent safety request forced me to vacate on XX/XX/XXXX, to protect myself. Throughout this process, I made it clear I was willing to provide any additional documentation needed to finalize my lease termination, but no further specific requests were made before I left. 

Shortly after moving out, they sent eviction paperwork and claimed I owed nearly {$10000.00} in lease break fees and damages for ending my lease early. They are not charging me for unpaid rent beyond my move-out date, but these extreme fees are not allowed under Texas Property Code Section 92.016 , which protects tenants terminating leases due to safety concerns. Their delay in processing my request directly resulted in my inability to resolve the situation properly. Had they responded promptly with clear requirements, I could have provided any additional information needed to support my request before vacating. 

Furthermore, my former unit was re-rented in XX/XX/XXXX. If they attempt to state that I owe set amounts for the lease period, it is important to note that someone has been actively living there since that time. Under Texas Property Code Section 91.006, landlords have a duty to mitigate damages by attempting to re-rent vacated units and can not charge previous tenants for rent or lease break penalties once the unit has been successfully re-rented. 

This situation has caused significant emotional distress and financial harm. The damage to my credit has severely impacted my ability to gain credit cards and income opportunities. Throughout this process, XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX delayed resolution by refusing direct contact with their legal team until XXXX months after my initial urgent request, and then attempted to reframe my situation under a different statute to avoid compliance. I was willing to cooperate fully but was left with no choice but to vacate immediately for my safety. Their continued pursuit of these fees, despite re-renting the unit and my documented legal rights under Texas law, is unjust and undermines tenant safety protections. I believe this collection is inaccurate and unjust under both Texas law and the Fair Credit Reporting Act and request its immediate removal. 

I am doing my absolute best to avoid court, giving XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX every chance to own up to their mistakes, noncompliance, and to uphold Texas law, especially laws designed to protect individuals like myself from tragic and difficult life-altering events. Any individual who reviewed XXXX XXXX XXXX background alongside my given situation would see it is important to prioritize safety and well-being as the law intends. The law exists not only to protect individuals in active danger but to prevent future harm. 

I am requesting that XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX and their collections agency remove this collection account from my credit report, cease all collection activities, and acknowledge that my lease termination was valid under Texas law and that I owe no further fees.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation