debt from past apartments?

Question

The first apartment I lived in which was with a roomate claims we owe them over 1,000 dollars due to not cleaning the apartment well enough when moving out. And the second apartment with a roomate was a broken lease, and owe them over 2,000. My question is how due you pay off these debts with your roomates? Do they divid it equally among us to pay? And what if you haven't even spoken and don't know one of the roomates wherabouts to have them pay therre share?

Answer 1

you are all fully responsible. The landlord can go after anyone on the lease for the entire amount, they don't have to try and collect half from you and half from someone else, that is your problem.

Answer 2

Hi u have some good answers, but have u tried a debt collection agency? I know the average fee is $300.00 to $400.00 but it could be well worth it. If they can contact the apts. and bypass the collection agency, most apts. turn debt over to a agency after 30 days but they have to pay the collection agency and this fee is usually 60%! So they do not recoop all the debt, but say u or a debt collector could go directly to the apts. there is more than a good chance u can get this lowered quite a bit. If they would give a agency 60% there is no way they wouldnt take 50% and cut out the agency, and yes they can do it! All the mgr. has to do is contact the collection agency and say this debt was reported by accident, the agency must remove it, remember they work for the apt. not the other way around. I know I have helped many past residents clear up their debt, and save money and the property still did well. 1st go to both properties on your own, be pleasant, talk well explain how u want to resolve this issue, do not talk money ask them what is the best they can do, if it still seems to high ask again do u mean we cant do business if I am willing to pay, theres a very good chance u can do this all yourself. If u cannot come up with all the money, its still ok, set up a pmt. plan with the properties paying so much per week, bi weekly or monthly, the most important thing is u keep your word always pay on time, and pay with money orders, the reason money orders r best is that u can get your pmt. written receipt from the property right then, if u use a check they will wait , MAKE U WAIT TILL IT CLEARS! Also make sure every pmt. u get that written or computer print out showing pmts. and new bal due and always have it signed by a apt. represenative, keep all ur paperwork in a safe place. If u have a hard time doing this on your own thats when I would say it would be worth the cost to hire a debt collector. But in my opinion u will be successful, there is a chance that u may get to have the debt divided, the answer u received that they can just sue u or collect from u is correct, but there r many good mgrs. out there who will work with a person they know wants to do whats right! If u r having trouble now getting a place, once u have a pmt. arrangement made with these properties and have it in writting there is a great chance u can get another apt. u may need a co-signer, but if u pay off ur debts. keep ur rental good with the co-signer u will have no issues leasing in the future. p.s. U want to handle this it can follow u for years and prevent u from buying a car a home etc. GOOD LUCK U CAN DO IT!

Answer 3

These debts will stay on your credit report for 7 years so unless you aren't interested in establishing your credit, they need to be dealt with.

Contact the landlord/property management company regarding how they expect you to deal with the roommate situation. Also, ask for a detailed explanation of all charges. Did you do a walk-through on the apartment that claims you had 1k damages/cleaning. Did you leave a forwarding address and were you notified in a timely manner - most states require billing be done within 30 days of move-out. Even if you didn't leave a forwarding address, your landlord is responsible for mailing it to your apartment for forwarding by the post office.

Sometimes, if the debt has been turned over to a collections agency, you can negotiate a lower amount for settlement. See how little they will accept.

If either of your roommates were in the military, contact the base and find out who their commanding officer is. They would be willing to apply some pressure on their subordinate to be responsible for the debt and you would be surprised how fast that remedy works.

Good luck to you.

Answer 4

If your name is on the lease, you are responsible for fulfilling the terms of the lease. Doesn't matter how many others are there.

The 2,000 may be a lost cause, but you could fight the 1,000 cleaning charge. That is a lot of money for cleaning an apartment, and landlords don't usually expect you to leave things spotless. The should take ~200-300 tops out of your security deposit for cleaning, assuming you didn't damage the place beyond ordinary wear and tear.

Answer 5

Geez....What a mess!! Here's what I would probably do....

1) Talk to the Landlords of each Apartment. Find out whose name is (was) on the lease agreement. And find out in detail what they think you owe and why you owe it.

2) See If the Landlords will agree (In writing) to you paying only your share...(If there was 3 of you...you owe 1/3 of the total bill)

3) Anything more than that......You might have to feed a lawyer.....

Answer 6

Landlords seem at your credit not your cutting-edge expenses. expenses generally received't get you denied. If any of those expenses were despatched to collections then that is what receives you denied. If none of those expenses were reported to the credit reporting agencies or were despatched to collections then the owner has no way of even understanding about them. If any of those are on your credit then you actual will be denied. Yea, some human beings in simple terms don't realize being broke. in my opinion i think for you. i latterly paid off my previous clinical expenses. i'm diabetic & it really is the first time I actual have had a good job. I had a number of ambulance expenses I had not been waiting to pay for a number of years. i replaced into broke, what replaced into I going to do not call an ambulance at the same time as i necessary it? i do not imagine so. at the same time as your health is in threat & you've not any money you manage the debt. maximum individuals do not elect now to not pay clinical expenses.

Answer 7

These debts are joint and several. Meaning they can go after each signatory for their pro rata share OR they can go after any one for the entire amount.