Consumer complaint received 2025-11-09 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Rental debt
Issue: Attempts to collect debt not owed — Debt is not yours
Company: Rowland Avenue Management, Inc. A/KA Columbia Debt Recovery, LLC d/b/a Genesis
State: CA

Complaint narrative:
I am submitting a complaint regarding Columbia Debt Recovery, who is attempting to collect an inaccurate, unvalidated {$7800.00} debt from 2020. This debt is tied to a situation involving domestic-violence-related safety threats, which are protected under California Civil Code 1946.7 and 1161.3. 

In XXXX, I was forced to vacate my California apartment XXXX months early due to a documented and credible threat to my life. My ex-boyfriend was XXXX  XXXX  and had XXXX  XXXX XXXX. Remaining in the unit was not safe. My licensed therapist provided a written statement to the apartment management confirming that my safety and mental health required immediate relocation due to the danger and ongoing trauma. 

Under California Civil Code 1946.7, a tenant who is a victim of XXXX XXXXXXXX, XXXX, or XXXX assault may terminate a rental agreement early without penalty by providing documentation from a qualified professional ( which I did ). At the time, I followed this process and provided written notice and documentation. The apartment acknowledged receipt of the notice and therapist letter. This should have legally released me from financial liability for the remaining lease term.

Under California Civil Code 1161.3, a landlord is prohibited from taking adverse action against a tenant based on that tenant being a victim of XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Attempting to collect a debt associated with early termination due to documented safety threats constitutes an adverse action. 

XXXX years ago, I disputed this debt with the credit bureaus, and it was removed. Now, Columbia Debt Recovery has reinserted the collection without providing validation or giving me the legally required reinsertion notice. The Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) requires that if a previously deleted account is reinserted, the bureaus must : Re-verify the account, AND Notify the consumer within five business days of reinsertion I did not receive any notice, making this reinsertion improper and in violation of FCRA 611 ( a ) ( 5 ) ( B ).

Columbia Debt Recovery has also violated FDCPA 809 ( b ) by continuing to pursue the debt without validating the amount, circumstances, or legal basis. They have not provided any documentation showing I remained financially responsible after legally protected early termination due to XXXX XXXX and credible safety threats. 

I am requesting CFPB assistance to : 1. Require the collector to provide complete legal and contractual validation of the debt, including evidence that the apartment complied with California Civil Code 1946.7 and 1161.3 at the time of my notice.

2. Require immediate removal of this reinsertion from my credit report due to improper handling, lack of notice, and lack of validation.

3. Cease all collection efforts unless and until full legal validation is provided.

4. Investigate Columbia Debt Recoverys improper reinsertion and failure to comply with federal validation requirements and California XXXX  housing protection laws. * *

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief