Consumer complaint received 2024-06-11 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Rental debt
Issue: False statements or representation — Attempted to collect wrong amount
Company: Optio Solutions, LLC
State: CA

Complaint narrative:
I rented an apartment from XXXX in XXXX XXXX, CA at XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX through XXXX. The management never completed a move-out inspection when I requested to schedule one. I had extensive communications with the property manager at the time ( in XXXX ) regarding my security deposit after I had moved out of the apartment. I requested proof of any damages to the home ( regrettably, I did not take my own photos ) and no proof of any damages was ever provided. 

I never heard anything else the entire time I lived in XXXX XXXX. As you can see in my emails provided, I did provide my forwarding address. I do not know why I was never billed and sent immediately to collections. I have not been able to reach anyone at XXXX XXXX XXXX to help me with this or understand why it was randomly sent to collections without any billing after I provided my XXXX address. I have always forwarded my mail as well. 

Fast forward to XXXX. 

XX/XX/XXXX I receive a letter from Qualia collections. 

XX/XX/XXXX I complete the process to dispute the debt via return receipt US Mail. 

XX/XX/XXXX Validation letter from Qualia received. My address is not updated. Furthermore, they used my old address in XXXX where I lived XXXX and was never billed (! ) XX/XX/XXXX I called the local XXXX office at ( XXXX ) XXXX on XX/XX/XXXX, there was no answer. I tried the corporate number ( XXXX ) XXXX. Left a voicemail. 

XX/XX/XXXX Called corporate number again ( XXXX ) XXXX. Reached someone who provided XXXX phone number ( XXXX ) XXXX. I spoke to XXXX, who confirmed XXXX does not use Qualia nor was my account ever sent to her department. She stated the building owner has the option to send tenants to collections outside of XXXXXXXX XXXX authority, but that they ( XXXX ) did not send my account to collections. 

At this point, I was confused. I realized that the building was managed by XXXX when I lived there, but is now managed by XXXX XXXX XXXX. 

XX/XX/XXXX The collection appeared on my credit report. I disputed the collection with all three bureaus : I have disputed this account with Qualia. The charges are invalid and the debt was not validated. No evidence to support the charges has been provided. All three disputes went nowhere because Qualia is doing their job, but the debt is not accurate. 

XX/XX/XXXX I try to call the building again at ( XXXX ) XXXX, their number shown on XXXX. I reach central leasing. I leave a voicemail for management and try to call again. I am not able to reach anyone. 

XX/XX/XXXX I chat with the XXXX website chatbot and request someone contact me immediately. I RECEIVE AN EMAIL WITH A LEASING INVITATION. The last thing I want to do is lease from this company that can not even contact me to tell me why my account has been sent to collections XX/XX/XXXX My last attempt to contact XXXX XXXX is by leaving a XXXX Review and a XXXX Review. I have not received a response. 

I had XXXX issues during my tenancy here from XXXX when the property was managed by XXXX. It was a nice place to live when the pandemic was happening and the years after. When it was time for me to move out due to a work location change, my inspection was cancelled twice. No problem, I thought, since I thoroughly cleaned the apartment when I left. 

MISTAKE. I ended up in an email back and forth in XXXX with the manager at the time. I refused to pay cleaning, painting, and carpet cleaning charges since the apartment was not damaged and California tenants are only responsible for normal wear and tear. I never heard anything further since there SEEMS TO BE NO EVIDENCE THAT THE APARTMENT WAS DAMAGED. 

Fast forward to XXXX, I receive a collections letter for {$370.00} from the remaining cleaning/painting/carpet cleaning fees. Mind you, I never received my {$500.00} deposit back. Total due prior to move out : utilities {$310.00}, {$500.00} Security Deposit, {$180.00} due to tenant. Pursuant to CA law, the security deposit must be returned in full within 21 days, there must be an explanation as to why all or part of the deposit is being withheld, an itemized LIST of each of the deductions, and copies of RECEIPTS for the charges/deductions.Since I demanded evidence for the withholding and none was provided, I figured everyone had moved on over approximately {$200.00}. 

Now, in XXXX, it seems management has changed to XXXX XXXX. I contacted XXXX corporate headquarters and the account was NEVER SENT TO XXXX XXXX so they did not send it to collections. XXXX confirmed they DO NOT USE the collections agency, Qualia. 

I have contacted the building and what did they respond with but an INVITATION TO LEASE? Are you kidding me? I have called XXXX XXXX corporate and have not heard back. 

Maybe a XXXX review, a XXXX  review, and a report to the XXXX will change that. I expect this to be resolved promptly and removed from my credit report as I have disputed it with all three bureaus and formally disputed the charges with the collections agency, Qualia. XXXX XXXX : Please contact me in writing at XXXX to resolve this as soon as possible. 

XXXXI have no choice but to file this complaint as this inaccurate item is a blemish on my credit. I have never had an issue with a building or deposit until this. I still fail to understand why a company I never leased from ( XXXX XXXX ) can send me to collections two years after another company ( XXXX ) never pursued the issue without a single bill sent ( aside from the refusal to provide evidence of damage and initial invoice ). Please help me resolve this as there is no proof the amounts provided are due. XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation