Consumer complaint received 2026-01-29 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Other debt
Issue: Written notification about debt — Didn't receive enough information to verify debt
Company: Lazega & Johanson LLC
State: GA

Complaint narrative:
To Whom It May Concern, I am formally disputing the charges and requesting the immediate cessation of all debtcollection activity related to the fallen tree in front of my home at XXXX XXXX XXXX. These charges are improper because the trees decline and eventual collapse were caused by HOAdirected sidewalk construction, not by any action or negligence on my part. 

Basis for Dispute 1. The HOAs construction activity caused the trees structural failure.

Following the sidewalk construction p
roject overseen by the HOA, the tree exhibited clear, progressive signs of damage directly attributable to soil disruption and root destabilization : Exposed roots and disturbed soil around the base, reducing structural support. 
Thinning canopy and visible dieback in upper branches. 
Cracking and shedding bark, indicating internal decay. 
These conditions were documented in the attached photograph. 


The tree ultimately collapsed into the street, creating a public safety hazard and requiring emergency removal.

2. Professional assessment confirms constructionrelated damage. 

The attached invoice from XXXX  XXXX XXXX ( Invoice # XXXX, dated XX/XX/2022 ) documents the {$400.00} debris removal and notes that the collapse resulted from root destabilization and trunk damage, both worsened by the sidewalk construction. 

3. Georgia law places liability on the party responsible for creating or worsening a hazardous condition. 

Under Georgia law, a landowner ( or HOA, when it assumes maintenance responsibility ) may be liable when a tree is visibly diseased, decayed, or structurally compromised and the responsible party knew or should have known of the hazard and failed to act. legalclarity...

In HOAgoverned communities, liability may shift to the association when its governing documents assign maintenance responsibility or when the HOAs own actions contribute to the hazardous condition. In such cases, the HOA may be responsible for resulting damage if it acted negligently in its maintenance or created the conditions that caused the failure. XXXX ... 

Here, the trees decline was foreseeable, visible, and directly linked to HOAordered construction, placing responsibility with the HOAnot the homeowner.

4. Homeowners in Georgia have the right to dispute improper fees and collection actions.

Georgia homeowners may formally dispute any fee or assessment they believe is unauthorized, unreasonable, or imposed contrary to governing documents or state law. These disputes may be raised as defenses in any lien or collection proceeding. fsresidentia... 

I am exercising that right through this written dispute. 

Request for Immediate Action Given the facts above, I request the following : 1. Immediate cessation of all debtcollection activity, including any attorney actions, notices, or attempts to collect.

2. Removal of all charges related to the fallen tree from my account.

3. Written confirmation that my account has been corrected and that no adverse action will be taken. 


The trees failure was the direct result of HOAinitiated construction activity, and I can not be held financially responsible for damage caused by conditions the HOA created.

Company public response: Company has responded to the consumer and the CFPB and chooses not to provide a public response
Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation