Can a landlord report me to credit bureaus for damage to my apartment without providing me any receipts for the damage or repairs?
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Can a landlord report me to credit bureaus for damage to my apartment without providing me any receipts for the damage or repairs?
We are disputing charges a landlord is making for damage to our apartment. They state we owe them 2k over and beyond our deposit for a laundry list of items. We met with them and they cut it down to $1100 (which we still felt to be unacceptable). We have requested receipts on multiple occasions and they have admitted they do not have receipts. The items are all bought in bulk and repaired by their staff. They have since forwarded our information to a credit collector and we sent a verification letter. Can it be verified without reciepts?
Asked on July 16, 2012 under Real Estate Law, Louisiana
Answers:
FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
It is entirely possible for your landlord to report you to a credit reporting agency for damages to the rental that you have absent providing you for any receipts for the costs of any repairs. Whether this is allowable under the laws of your state is debatable due to the fact that the claim is disputed and no judgment has presumably resulted.
I woiuld write the landlord asking for hard copy receipt as well as photographs depicting the damages and that absent such evidence you are not going to make any payment and that you would be consulting with an attorney that practices in the area of consumer law concerning your recourse for any credit daamge caused by the landlord. Keep a copy of the letter for future use and need.
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