Consumer complaint received 2025-11-21 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Rental debt
Issue: False statements or representation — Attempted to collect wrong amount
Company: HW Holding, Inc
State: VA

Complaint narrative:
I lived in an apartment in XXXX XXXX, MD with a partner from XX/XX/XXXX - XX/XX/XXXX. Both individuals were listed on the lease and signed the contract. During our tenancy, we encountered a variety of issues with our unit, including the following : XXXX. Uneven flooring throughout the unit, appearing to lack sub-flooring in sections, first maintenance request submitted XX/XX/XXXX, second request submitted XX/XX/XXXX, third request submitted XX/XX/XXXX, fourth request submitted XX/XX/XXXX ; XXXX. Sporadic water leaks from pipes in the laundry room, maintenance request submitted XX/XX/XXXX ; XXXX. Dryer malfunction ( would not dry clothes ), maintenance request submitted XX/XX/XXXX ; XXXX. Gas leak ( after being instructed to turn on gas switch for the dryer to remedy the clothes drying issue ), maintenance request submitted XX/XX/XXXX ; XXXX. Further dryer malfunction ( after hose repair ), maintenance request submitted XX/XX/XXXX ; XXXX. Bathroom ceiling leak from unit above, maintenance request submitted XX/XX/XXXX, XXXX. Bathroom ceiling partially collapsed due to unresolved leak from unit above, maintenance request submitted XX/XX/XXXX, second request submitted XX/XX/XXXX ; XXXX. Insect infestation, first maintenance request submitted XX/XX/XXXX, second request submitted XX/XX/XXXX ; XXXX. XXXX infestation, maintenance request submitted XX/XX/XXXX ; XXXX. Heavy water leak in laundry room from unit above ; maintenance request submitted XX/XX/XXXX. 

While dealing with the increasing severity of these problems, rent was withheld and property XXXX was informed of this and the reason why. In XX/XX/XXXX, a lease for a new apartment was signed, having given the property XXXX the required amount of advance notice of move out. The property XXXX also agreed to a month-to-month rent agreement, allowing a few extra days for move out after the lease term had ended. 

Because the damages and problems in the unit were never repaired or resolved, the full amount due upon move out was not remitted. We intended to take legal action against the ownership company XXXX XXXX XXXX, owned by XXXX XXXX ) due to both physical impairments resulting from the flooring issue and owner and management negligence. This action was not taken because we did not have the knowledge or means to find and secure a lawyer that would be able to help. Instead, the account went to collections. Around XXXX of XXXX, I received a collections notice from Hunter Warfield stating that XXXX XXXX sent the account to them, claiming I owed {$6000.00}. After requesting documentation to justify this amount, which I knew to be incorrect, Hunter Warfield sent a letter containing a copy of the original lease agreement and the ledger detailing each item and amount claimed to be owed to XXXX XXXX. 

After reviewing the accounting, I found XXXX instances of invalid charges, summing to {$730.00}. I then reached out to Hunter Warfield via phone to inform them that these charges were made in error, dispute them, and attempt to settle the debt. The first representative claimed that it was not possible to correct the issue, and that I needed to pay the amount due. Another representative threatened negative credit impacts, and was abrasive, harassing, and disrespectful when the request was made to speak with a XXXX. After that encounter, it was clear that Hunter Warfield had no intentions of fair treatment, and XXXX XXXX likely knew the accounting was false when the debt was sent to collection. The debt remained unpaid, and no further attempts were made to call Hunter Warfield. 

This collection account began negatively impacting my credit as a derogatory mark between XX/XX/XXXX and XX/XX/XXXX. Now, after sitting and collecting interest which is claimeXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXunt claimed to be owed is {$7300.00}, as reported to credit bureaus as of XX/XX/XXXX. The other tenant on the lease has received no such adverse remarks or other reporting on their credit.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation