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View Full Version : Is it legal for a collection agency to do that?


santana05
Oct 15, 2007, 02:56 PM
My question is back in 2006 my husband moved to South Carolina because I was in training due to the military and I had to say on base due to my schooling and he had to put me down on the lease for the apartment because at the type I was the only source of income because of course he just moved there. So march on this year he move out of that apartment and moved back to our hometown and that apartment complex sent me and him a bill saying that we owe $658.25 total due to cleaning and some painting.

So they sent it to a collection agency and the collection agency sent him a bill for $658.25 and sent me a bill for $658.25 and when I contacted them they said both of you are held accountable for the bill and we have reported to the credit bureau on your credit report that you owe $658.25 and your husband owes $658.25. But to my understanding is since we our both held accountable than why isn't the bill split in half and how can you report that we both owe that if that is the total amount owed. So I was wondering how can they do that? And I said to him will since we aren't together what if I paid it than you would remove it from both of our credit reports and he didn't pay a penny and the guy told me oh well someone will be paying it.

RichardBondMan
Oct 15, 2007, 06:57 PM
It does not matter who pays, you or him, they but cannot collect more than the $ 658.25 total. Why would they want to? They want $ 658.25, that's it, total. Or you could pay whatever amount but just for example's sake, let's say you and him (your ex)agree you will pay $100.00, then that leaves $ 558.25 for him to pay. But sure, they can report the full amount for collection to a collection agency and also report the full amount unpaid on your credit history as well as his. Once it's deliquent, it's deliquent, it's on your credit report as well as his unless you successfully protest, legally or otherwise and prove it's not a valid obligation. I am no attorney and don't live in GA or SC and/ or probably don't live in the state the apt was in but special landlord / tenant rules may apply so my answer is based on general principles. You may want to ask an attorney to look into the matter before you agree to pay.

Flying Blue Eagle
Oct 15, 2007, 07:45 PM
SANTANA05 - HE IS right , also they can only get you for amout owed onluy except they can add there collection on to the bill, ononly what the state you live and wher the bill you owe is at ( GO TO LEGAL PART OF ASK ME DESK> THERE IS ATTERONYS ON THERE THAT CAN ANSWER YOUR QUESTION BETTER THEN I AND GIVE CORRECT ANSWERS):::::: BEST OF LUCK