Apartment Ratings :: Question - What can I do if an apartment illegally puts a collection on me and it shows up on my credit report?

What can I do if an apartment illegally puts a collection on me and it shows up on my credit report?

Asked 164 days ago

A apartment complex put a collection on my record that didnt belong to me but an old roommate. The collection has been paid but its still shows as negative history on my report. I hear its illegal to put incorrect information on ones credit report.

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One Answer

Answer by tonestar on Mar 26, 2008 at 10:31AM

If you signed a lease together it doesn't matter who paid or didn't pay. When you sign a lease with a roommate you enter into "Joint Obligation" which means the rent needs to be paid, regardless of who pays it. If it isn't paid it reflects bad on both parties. When you have a roommate there is no such thing as "I paid my half" you can both be held responsible for the other's failure to pay. If you didn't sign a lease, I would sue the apartment community.

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Comment by yamafx4dude on Mar 26, 2008 at 12:33PM

The lease ended. The roommate decided to stay and defaulted on a new contract. The apt complex said it was my fault I didnt make sure my name was off the old lease even though they acknowledge they got my notice to vacate. I spoke with one lawyer who basically didnt want to touch the issue. Doesnt make sense to me esp if its suppose to be a big deal if people scar your credit with bogus info. It seems more to me that if you dont have the money to pursue justice, then too bad.

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Comment by tonestar on Mar 26, 2008 at 2:07PM

If your roommate stayed they should have signed a new lease. Your name would not be on that lease so I'm not sure how they could charge you. I would contact the collection agency and let them know this very important piece of information. When they start the collection process one of the things they need is a copy of the most current lease, which shouldn't have your name on it. Put it in writing, send it certified mail and follow up with a phone call a week later or so. Just make sure you document, document, document. This one seems pretty cut and dry to me.

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