They want $800.00 in rent concession. I have proof I paid them $875.00 to break the lease. I left them my $150.00 deposite. They have now turned me into collection, called a lawyer and have called my boss, my mom, etc. It has only been 2 months.

The collection agency wrote me a letter and said Washington State law said I do not have to pay if someone is living in the apartment. I went to the apartment, knocked on the door and the new renter opened it and they are living in it. I called the company back and they said I had to call the apartment and I did and they still will not call these people off.

What can I do.

I sent a written letter of no contact I got from a lawyer.

How do I prove and what is the state law in WA about someone now living in my old apartment.

Thank you,
Julie

P.S. I took pictures of mold and mildew and cigarette butts on the property and the actually apartment I was living in. They also had the dryer not hooked up properly and the sink was not working for 2 days. I moved out for those reasons and paid them on time and gave them 30 days notice.

What does your lease say about the concessions? I had a short-term lease that spelled out that the rent was X/month, but I would pay X-Y/month. If I broke the lease, I would be required to pay back Y (the concession per month). I've also heard of complexes doing that for "first month free" deals. So it could be a legitimate claim, depending on the lease and what the wording was of the agreement to break the lease for 875.

Hello Julie:

It seems like you've got TWO things going on that are in conflict.

When you break your lease, there are consequences. You're either going to have to pay them until they find a new tenant, or you're going to have to pay a lease break penalty.

NOT BOTH.

Sounds like they're trying to get both.

Write letter to the apartment complex. Send it certified. Tell them to call off their dog (the collection agency) within 48 hours. Remind them that the law doesn't allow them to collect both, and if they continue to violate your rights, you will sue them.

excon

You say you have prrof that you paid a buy out on the lease. What does that proof consist of?

See if you can get a statement form the current tenant as to when they moved in.

Then tell the collector to sue you if they thinko that you owe anything.

Hi Julie,

Try the Seattle Tenant's Union on Mercer across from the Seattle Center. You should be aware that Seattle's Renter's laws are more stringent than the State of Washington Renter's laws. You would be governed by Seattle's Renter's Laws.

I presume you got everything in writing.