Back in November of 2017, I realized that I would have to leave CO because I just didnt have the money to stay anymore (there was copious whining done right here on this very fanwall). But, I was offered and accepted the job of Youth Services Supervisor in OH. I put in a months notice at my apartment–breaking my lease. I was told when I signed the lease that it would be at the discretion of the leasing agent whether or not I would be charged for the balance of the lease when I left. On the day I left, my bishop from church met me with a 1,000 dollar check. I paid the rent for the month, they paid the associated fees for breaking the lease. He took a picture of the receipt and the check for the church records, gave me a hug and left.
Fast forward to May when I was finally leaving that crazy Ohio lady’s house. I was turned down for every. single. apartment I looked at and didn’t know why. Finally, I was told by a leasing agent that I had another apartment (the Colorado apartment) on my rental history and that as long as I had that on my history I wouldn’t be able to get another apartment.
I didn’t have the receipt anymore. At this point my stuff was spread out over 3 states–OH, CO, and KY. I had no idea where that receipt was. I called the collection agency to ask what exactly I was being charged with because I know that my rent was paid. They told me: pest control, painting, cleaning and etc. Standard stuff that they do when an apartment is getting prepared for a new renter. I said I PAID THAT! They said if you can provide us with the receipt then we can remove this from your rental history. I called and texted and emailed my bishop roughly 3 million times over the next 3 weeks. He never responded. I quit my job (I couldn’t afford to live in a hotel forever. That shiz is expensive) and moved back in with my dad.
From there I lived with the lady in KY and then for the last 2 months with my brother in MN.
My bishop in KY FINALLY (after almost a YEAR) got in touch with my bishop in CO and they emailed me the paper work–a picture of the ledger that showed that I paid my rent on time every month, plus the cleaning fee and etc. that I was being charged for my last month there plus the rent for that month. It shows that I paid it on 12/1 and that my Bishop paid 1,000 on 12/7.
About 1 week ago I accepted another job in OH. Children’s Librarian–hurrah! It pays enough that I’ll be able to support myself in my own little apartment. Except that for whatever reason old apartment is STILL on my credit history. Ive reached out to them several times and they havent reached back. I’ve been searching for apartments and so as to not waste my time I have been briefly explaining the above in my apartment inquiries.
I got a response back just now. Encouraging me not to apply because the collections agency is still on there. I was told that it doesnt matter that the fees were paid after they were accrued. What matters is that they exist. I explained that they
SHOULDNT. I had done what I was supposed to do. I couldn’t afford the apartment anymore, plus I got a job in a different state. I gave as much notice as I could. They said that they would charge me all of those fees at their discretion. They chose to charge me all of those fees. I, with help from my church, paid all of those fees THAT DAY. It SHOWS on the ledger that all of those fees are paid. And now….almost exactly 1 year after I left the first OH job because I couldn’t find a place to live I find myself in almost the exact same situation. Except that this time I have receipts showing that this is NOT my fault, something screwy happened on their end but I STILL can’t find a place to live.
I can commute from my dads house—its 2.5 hours away. Or, maybe I’ll get offered one of the jobs I’m still waiting to hear from in MN–go back to my brothers house and what? Pay those fees a SECOND TIME?! And then when those are paid move out of my brothers place?
This is exhausting and upsetting because I feel like I’ve done exactly what I was supposed to do every single step of the way and yet…here I am. Still getting dicked over.
Advice?
Oh, I’m stumped. Also f** that bishop for not getting back to you.
Is there a possibility of someone else being a cosigner/guarantor on the rental application? We did this for our kids when they moved off campus at university.
I mean, he was active military and serving as the bishop of the ward. Dude was busy and I get that. But….I dont think this is my fault? Right? Am I crazy? I mean…? ANd I dont have anyone in my life who can cosign for me.
You know, I didn’t think this was my fault but this is extremely ridiculous. Like an only could happen to isa scenario because my life does insist on sucking when at all possible. Zetus Lapetus. Im hoping to talk to my old Bishop on Sunday and see if he knows anything or anyone. I may look into being a not on the lease roommate until it all gets sorted out. But I am SO SICK of living with other people.
Not an expert by any means, but can you get a notarized or witnessed letter or affidavit of some sort from the apartment people and/or your bishop plus copies of the receipts showing that you are in the clear? And can you ask landlords/renters if they are willing to look at those things in lieu or in addition to your history?
If not, have you tried contacting the credit bureaus directly and not the creditors? I feel like there is a specific branch of gov’t or something that deals with this stuff (probably in the same vein as whatever deals with identity theft? maybe?), though I could be wrong.
I sincerely hope something works out for you, I’m rooting for you. If I think of anything else I’ll let you know. There may be a legal solution as well, but I stayed far away from any law that involved numbers. If you can, look for a legal clinic that helps with housing issues you may be able to get answers there too without having to spend $$ on a lawyer.
I will look into a legal clinic tomorrow, and I suppose the responsible thing to do would be to explain to my new boss (I havent even started yet! grump) my situation so that if I decide that moving back to MN is the best option its not coming out of nowhere.
And I’ll try the credit bureaus as well. I’m not tossing in the towel just yet. Someone told me today that they may be able to work with me if I can get a copy of the receipt on letterhead, from the apartment. I called them today but they were out of the office. OH, all the sighs.
I think with enough evidence the credit bureaus could sort this out. I just suspect that if it’s anything like dealing with the courts, you’ll have to be very very patient. Also, get the name and dept. info of every single person you talk to. That way if you get shunted around you can show a direct trail of idiots. Learn from my mistakes.
@snarkyjellyfish thanks for the advice. I’ll look into the free legal counseling around here. I dont have a ton of evidence, though. I have a ledger–that they didnt even keep on letter head, it just looks like it was typed on excel or something, and the check from my church showing that it was signed over to them.
The ledger shows that it covers everything that Im being charged with, but like I said, no letterhead or anything. I’ll put my librarian pants on and pretend that Im figuring this out for someone else. If I look into it for myself? Paralyzed. Look into it for a random patron, have a seat, and I’ll find you a dozen agencies to call.
I feel you. If there isn’t a letterhead see if you can get some sort if sworn statement to attest to it.
In regard to legal counseling, the best place to start are your state and city bar associations. Those websites will have links to resources and information that can help guide you.
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isa: I'm not a serial killer I'm just really passionate about things
July 11, 2019 at 4:23 PM
I am upset and am in need of the beanie brain trust to provide some of that good advice.
egads aka Dame Maggie
July 11, 2019 at 4:34 PM
*inserts brain* I’ll give it a try.
isa: I'm not a serial killer I'm just really passionate about things
July 11, 2019 at 4:35 PM
Back in November of 2017, I realized that I would have to leave CO because I just didnt have the money to stay anymore (there was copious whining done right here on this very fanwall). But, I was offered and accepted the job of Youth Services Supervisor in OH. I put in a months notice at my apartment–breaking my lease. I was told when I signed the lease that it would be at the discretion of the leasing agent whether or not I would be charged for the balance of the lease when I left. On the day I left, my bishop from church met me with a 1,000 dollar check. I paid the rent for the month, they paid the associated fees for breaking the lease. He took a picture of the receipt and the check for the church records, gave me a hug and left.
Fast forward to May when I was finally leaving that crazy Ohio lady’s house. I was turned down for every. single. apartment I looked at and didn’t know why. Finally, I was told by a leasing agent that I had another apartment (the Colorado apartment) on my rental history and that as long as I had that on my history I wouldn’t be able to get another apartment.
I didn’t have the receipt anymore. At this point my stuff was spread out over 3 states–OH, CO, and KY. I had no idea where that receipt was. I called the collection agency to ask what exactly I was being charged with because I know that my rent was paid. They told me: pest control, painting, cleaning and etc. Standard stuff that they do when an apartment is getting prepared for a new renter. I said I PAID THAT! They said if you can provide us with the receipt then we can remove this from your rental history. I called and texted and emailed my bishop roughly 3 million times over the next 3 weeks. He never responded. I quit my job (I couldn’t afford to live in a hotel forever. That shiz is expensive) and moved back in with my dad.
From there I lived with the lady in KY and then for the last 2 months with my brother in MN.
My bishop in KY FINALLY (after almost a YEAR) got in touch with my bishop in CO and they emailed me the paper work–a picture of the ledger that showed that I paid my rent on time every month, plus the cleaning fee and etc. that I was being charged for my last month there plus the rent for that month. It shows that I paid it on 12/1 and that my Bishop paid 1,000 on 12/7.
About 1 week ago I accepted another job in OH. Children’s Librarian–hurrah! It pays enough that I’ll be able to support myself in my own little apartment. Except that for whatever reason old apartment is STILL on my credit history. Ive reached out to them several times and they havent reached back. I’ve been searching for apartments and so as to not waste my time I have been briefly explaining the above in my apartment inquiries.
I got a response back just now. Encouraging me not to apply because the collections agency is still on there. I was told that it doesnt matter that the fees were paid after they were accrued. What matters is that they exist. I explained that they
isa: I'm not a serial killer I'm just really passionate about things
July 11, 2019 at 4:40 PM
SHOULDNT. I had done what I was supposed to do. I couldn’t afford the apartment anymore, plus I got a job in a different state. I gave as much notice as I could. They said that they would charge me all of those fees at their discretion. They chose to charge me all of those fees. I, with help from my church, paid all of those fees THAT DAY. It SHOWS on the ledger that all of those fees are paid. And now….almost exactly 1 year after I left the first OH job because I couldn’t find a place to live I find myself in almost the exact same situation. Except that this time I have receipts showing that this is NOT my fault, something screwy happened on their end but I STILL can’t find a place to live.
I can commute from my dads house—its 2.5 hours away. Or, maybe I’ll get offered one of the jobs I’m still waiting to hear from in MN–go back to my brothers house and what? Pay those fees a SECOND TIME?! And then when those are paid move out of my brothers place?
This is exhausting and upsetting because I feel like I’ve done exactly what I was supposed to do every single step of the way and yet…here I am. Still getting dicked over.
Advice?
egads aka Dame Maggie
July 11, 2019 at 4:47 PM
Oh, I’m stumped. Also f** that bishop for not getting back to you.
Is there a possibility of someone else being a cosigner/guarantor on the rental application? We did this for our kids when they moved off campus at university.
isa: I'm not a serial killer I'm just really passionate about things
July 11, 2019 at 4:53 PM
I mean, he was active military and serving as the bishop of the ward. Dude was busy and I get that. But….I dont think this is my fault? Right? Am I crazy? I mean…? ANd I dont have anyone in my life who can cosign for me.
egads aka Dame Maggie
July 11, 2019 at 4:58 PM
This is not your fault. Do you, or anyone you know, have any connections within the church community that could potentially help you out?
isa: I'm not a serial killer I'm just really passionate about things
July 11, 2019 at 5:09 PM
You know, I didn’t think this was my fault but this is extremely ridiculous. Like an only could happen to isa scenario because my life does insist on sucking when at all possible. Zetus Lapetus. Im hoping to talk to my old Bishop on Sunday and see if he knows anything or anyone. I may look into being a not on the lease roommate until it all gets sorted out. But I am SO SICK of living with other people.
SnarkyJellyfish
July 11, 2019 at 4:53 PM
Not an expert by any means, but can you get a notarized or witnessed letter or affidavit of some sort from the apartment people and/or your bishop plus copies of the receipts showing that you are in the clear? And can you ask landlords/renters if they are willing to look at those things in lieu or in addition to your history?
If not, have you tried contacting the credit bureaus directly and not the creditors? I feel like there is a specific branch of gov’t or something that deals with this stuff (probably in the same vein as whatever deals with identity theft? maybe?), though I could be wrong.
I sincerely hope something works out for you, I’m rooting for you. If I think of anything else I’ll let you know. There may be a legal solution as well, but I stayed far away from any law that involved numbers. If you can, look for a legal clinic that helps with housing issues you may be able to get answers there too without having to spend $$ on a lawyer.
isa: I'm not a serial killer I'm just really passionate about things
July 11, 2019 at 4:59 PM
I will look into a legal clinic tomorrow, and I suppose the responsible thing to do would be to explain to my new boss (I havent even started yet! grump) my situation so that if I decide that moving back to MN is the best option its not coming out of nowhere.
And I’ll try the credit bureaus as well. I’m not tossing in the towel just yet. Someone told me today that they may be able to work with me if I can get a copy of the receipt on letterhead, from the apartment. I called them today but they were out of the office. OH, all the sighs.
SnarkyJellyfish
July 11, 2019 at 6:57 PM
I think with enough evidence the credit bureaus could sort this out. I just suspect that if it’s anything like dealing with the courts, you’ll have to be very very patient. Also, get the name and dept. info of every single person you talk to. That way if you get shunted around you can show a direct trail of idiots. Learn from my mistakes.
isa: I'm not a serial killer I'm just really passionate about things
July 11, 2019 at 8:58 PM
@snarkyjellyfish thanks for the advice. I’ll look into the free legal counseling around here. I dont have a ton of evidence, though. I have a ledger–that they didnt even keep on letter head, it just looks like it was typed on excel or something, and the check from my church showing that it was signed over to them.
The ledger shows that it covers everything that Im being charged with, but like I said, no letterhead or anything. I’ll put my librarian pants on and pretend that Im figuring this out for someone else. If I look into it for myself? Paralyzed. Look into it for a random patron, have a seat, and I’ll find you a dozen agencies to call.
Its just frustrating.
SnarkyJellyfish
July 11, 2019 at 9:12 PM
I feel you. If there isn’t a letterhead see if you can get some sort if sworn statement to attest to it.
In regard to legal counseling, the best place to start are your state and city bar associations. Those websites will have links to resources and information that can help guide you.