Consumer complaint received 2025-10-27 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Rental debt
Issue: Written notification about debt — Didn't receive enough information to verify debt
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: CA

Complaint narrative:
Company : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Property Address : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Consumer : XXXX XXXX Complaint Type : Debt collection attempt to collect debt not owed ( rental housing ) Summary I am disputing an incorrect postmove-out balance of {$1200.00} that XXXX is attempting to collect for my former apartment ( Unit XXXX ) at XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  in XXXX, Ohio. 
I paid all required early termination fees, over {$5200.00}, and XXXX also kept and applied my {$2000.00} security deposit. Despite that, XXXX charged me rent for XX/XX/XXXX, even though I vacated the unit in XXXX and it was re-rented to another tenant at the beginning of XXXX. This means XXXX effectively collected rent from two tenants for the same unit during the same month.

Background and Timeline XX/XX/XXXX : I moved into XXXX XXXX. I immediately experienced repeated maintenance issues ( mold from the washer/dryer damaging clothing, and other cosmetic and functional defects ). 

XX/XX/XXXX : After multiple unresolved work orders, the property manager ( who was later terminated ) advised me I could move out and sent me lease termination details. 

XX/XX/XXXX : The same manager notified me the unit had already been pre-leased within 24 hours, forcing me to vacate. 

XX/XX/XXXX : I vacated and returned my keys. 

XX/XX/XXXX : Despite my move-out and the unit being occupied by a new tenant, XXXX charged me full XXXX rent ( {$2500.00} ) on my ledger and added an early termination fee ( {$2100.00} ). 

XX/XX/XXXX : My {$2000.00} deposit was applied to charges, leaving an alleged balance of {$1200.00}, which is the amount currently being pursued. 

XXXX : I contacted XXXX Receivables multiple times. The new manager admitted internal confusion and prior mismanagement but refused to adjust the overcharge or provide documentation showing I owed rent beyond my move-out date.

Why This Debt Is Invalid Double Rent Collection : The unit was re-leased and occupied in early XXXX, yet XXXX billed me for XXXX rent, collecting rent from both tenants for the same unit. 

Improper Billing After Move-Out : My ledger shows full XXXX rent charged after my XXXX move-out and key return. 

Mitigation of Damages : Under Ohio Revised Code 5321.16, a landlord must mitigate damages after a tenant vacates ; charging rent for a unit that was already re-rented violates this obligation.

Overpayment : I paid all required termination fees and forfeited my security deposit, bringing total payments to roughly {$7200.00}, more than sufficient to settle the lease.

Unresolved Maintenance Defects : The washer/dryer repeatedly produced mold, rendering the unit partially uninhabitable and contributing to my early departure.

Desired Resolution Remove the invalid balance of {$1200.00} and confirm my account as paid in full.

Provide a corrected ledger showing my XX/XX/XXXX move-out date and removal of all XXXX rent charges. 

Cease any debt collection or credit reporting related to this alleged balance.

Provide written confirmation to both me and the CFPB once the account reflects a {$0.00} balance.

Attachments Resident Ledger ( XX/XX/XXXX XX/XX/XXXX ) showing XXXX rent billed after move-out and deposit applied on XX/XX/XXXX. 

Final Account Statement ( XX/XX/XXXX ) showing {$1200.00} balance after deposit application.

Email correspondence with property management ( XX/XX/XXXX XX/XX/XXXX ) confirming pre-leasing and internal management issues.

Proof of payments totaling $ XXXX and deposit of {$2000.00}.

Work order documentation for unresolved washer/dryer mold issues 1. Ohio Revised Code 5321.16 Tenants Security Deposit & Landlords Obligations A landlord must return any balance of the security deposit within 30 days after the tenant moves out and provide an itemized list of deductions. 

Violation : XXXX kept my full {$2000.00} deposit, applied it to charges that include rent for a period after I vacated, and failed to provide a valid itemized breakdown consistent with actual occupancy dates. This violates the 30-day refund and accounting rule.

2. Ohio Revised Code 5321.17 Notice of Termination of Tenancy A landlord can not terminate or modify tenancy terms improperly or in bad faith.

Violation : The property manager sent my lease termination details and then declared the unit pre-leased the next day, effectively forcing me to vacate without a valid process or opportunity to rescind. This constitutes an unlawful or bad-faith termination.

3. Ohio Revised Code 5321.04 Landlord Duties Landlords must maintain the premises in a fit and habitable condition, keep appliances in safe working order, and make necessary repairs.

Violation : Repeated mold from the washer/dryer caused property damage and health concerns. XXXX ignored multiple work orders, failing to maintain a habitable unit.

4. Ohio Revised Code 5321.13 Prohibited Provisions in Rental Agreements Landlords may not require tenants to waive their legal rights or pay for obligations caused by the landlords failure to maintain the unit.

Violation : By charging rent and fees after move-outdespite re-renting the unitXXXX  attempted to shift their own financial responsibility to me, effectively forcing me to pay for their management failure.

5. Ohio Revised Code 5321.16 ( B ) Duty to Mitigate Damages Once a tenant vacates, the landlord must make reasonable efforts to re-rent the premises and can not charge double rent. 

Violation : XXXX charged me for XX/XX/XXXX rent while simultaneously collecting rent from the new tenant who moved in at the beginning of that month, violating the legal requirement to mitigate damages and avoid double collection.

6. Ohio Consumer Sales Practices Act ( CSPA ) R.C. 1345.02 & 1345.03 Prohibits unfair, deceptive, or unconscionable acts or practices in consumer transactions.

Violation : Attempting to collect a debt for rent after re-rental, failing to disclose accurate balances, and misrepresenting the account status constitute unfair and deceptive practices under Ohios CSPA.

7. Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ), 15 U.S.C. 1692 et seq.

Prohibits false or misleading representations in debt collection.

Violation : If XXXX or a collection agency reported or pursued this balance, it would constitute an attempt to collect a debt not owed, a direct FDCPA violation.

8. Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), 15 U.S.C. 1681s-2 Prohibits furnishing inaccurate information to credit reporting agencies. 

Violation : If XXXX or its agents reported the {$1200.00} balance to credit bureaus, they would be furnishing false and unverifiable data in violation of the FCRA.

9. Ohio Administrative Code 109:4-3-09 ( Consumer Transactions Misrepresentation ) It is deceptive to represent that a consumer owes an amount they do not owe or to fail to disclose material facts about charges. Violation : By charging rent for a month when another tenant was already
paying for the same unit, XXXX misrepresented the balance owed.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation