Am I legally or ethically responsible for this bill? I don't want to screw up my credit...?

Question

I am SO neurotic! Most people would have just thrown this away by now or paid it, but I really would like advice!
IN July of 2004 (3 years ago now), My band was renting a rehearsal studio for 400 bucks a month with a 200 dollar deposit.
We did not give notice, when we left, however, we did clean the place up very nicely, and left the deposit. They sent out a letter in December '04 saying..."you have failed togive proper notice and your security deposit of $195 only covers one half of themonth's rent. Please send a money order of $195 to the address above ASAP. ..." Blah blah blah we'll ruin your credit, and they do have my social security number on the contract.
The contract clause he is citing states This lease is a month-to-month agreement. Tenant must give four (4) weeks notice in writing within the first five days of the month, prior to moving out or will be held financially responsible for any money lost by ...us during that time".

I never paid the extra 200$. I mean, th

they got 200 free bucks. So I never paid, and they never ****** with my credit. But the problem is I feel SO GUILTY and unresolved about this contract. I have it laying on my desk and look at every day (for like 3 years now). What if this just shows up on my credit one day? I have worked SO hard to have a good credit history and don't want to ruin it. But it doesn't seem fair. So I shoudl rip it up, or pay it. I SO don't have 200$, in fact, I am paying off 12K in credit card debt, and this sucks, because we gave them a free 200 bucks. And I don't KNOW they "lost money". I learned my lesson about signing other people's contracts, BTW. I have learned that even if they are your best friend, if they don;t have good enough credit to get a credit card or studio, they probably won't pay you back either. So I don't do that anymore. But this is driving me nuts!!!???!!
Advice, please?

Okay, 1) I gave notice when we left, and cleaned it up very nicely, so they had no reason not to rent it back out. 2) I watched my mail and phone number, and he never sent anything besides the one letter. 3) I do check my credit, thank you.

Answer 1

Go to annualcreditreport.com and see if it shows up. It's free.

They may have just absorbed your deposit and called it even. If they are carrying this debt on your record, pay the $200 and make it a painful lesson learned.

Answer 2

The contract spelled it out. You either had to give four weeks notice, or pay the month's rent. You didn't so yes, you do owe the $200. Too bad you let it drag on this long, because you could have cleared it up earlier and not had an entry on your credit rating - and this WILL be part of your credit rating. You can ask to see you rating, by the way, and find out exactly how many outstanding charges you have, or complaints laid against you or whatever.

Answer 3

Pay the 200. Of course they lost money, they could not legally rent the thing not knowing that you had vacated.

They have about 4 more years to file suit against you. They likely won't, it cost money to do so. But, legally this is your bill. Ethically it is yours as well.

Did you ask them if they could spare the 200? No, you did not, but they were out the money just the same. Telling yourself that you don't have the extra money does not justify taking it from them.

I would send them $50 a month until they are repaid. This will not break you and it will ease your conscience.

I do admire that you have a conscience about this. So many people these days think nothing of how their unpaid bills are effecting others. Unpaid bills mean unreceived income to many people.

This will bring you good karma!

Answer 4

You're joking right? You have a contract that states you must give 4 weeks notice. You gave none. And they only want $200. Since you gave no notice, they could continue charging rent indefinitely. Be thankful that they didn't You're getting off easy for a lousy $200.

More than likely it's already on your credit record as a charge-off, probably since March or April of 2005. Since you stupidly let it sit for 3 years, it's too late now to clear it off. You should have paid it since you DO owe it.

PAY YOUR DEBTS!

Answer 5

Since you've paid so much attn to maintaining a good credit rating, another $200 won't kill ya, pay the thing off and ease your conscience.
Yes, legally they can recoup their losses.They can sue for lost income/rental $. Close your eyes and write a check for the 200 and raise your credit rating just that much more.

Answer 6

they CAN sue you for the lost rent AND legal fees which will a ton more than the piddly $200.00. get with the program and settle this asap before it becomes involved in court because the will win and you will owe big time.

Answer 7

Would ignore it and not worry about it