Broken Lease-Sold to Credit Agency-How to Pay them?? (apartment complex, credit report, payment)

[2late2process]

I broke my lease in Dec 2008. I lost my job and was 38 weeks pregnant. I moved out and they said that my total bill was $2100. Well I now have a job and I was looking for an apartment but needed to pay the old apartment complex off. I contacted them about payment arrangements and they sent a letter back stating that they are no longer respoinsible for collecting the debt. (Does this mean they sold it to the collection agency?) In a month or so (if that) I will be able to provide a lump sum to pay it off (if full if I have to). Thing is I would prefer to pay it to the apartment complex and not the credit agency. I have heard a lot of stories about paying credit agencies.

If I send in a payment for the full amount owed to the apartment complex, can they refuse my payment? And can I considered it paid in full since it is the amount that we originaly agreed upon?

I really need to move in to my own place but no one will rent to me w/ oweing this much to this apartment complex. Thanks for any help.

[Ultrarunner]

The right contact information should be listed on your credit report.

I agree to be cautious in that any payment tender is acknowledge as full settlement...

It's great you are making an effort to clear your name

[JS1]

Negotiate a settlement with the debt collector. DO NOT pay them in full. Doing that is lining their pockets. They are scum.

[kodaka]

Yes you should pay the debt collector, yes you should negotiate a 'settlement', and yes the contact information should appear on your credit report.

But the original owner of the debt is still obligated to provide you with that information. They can't simply tell you to go away and figure it out for yourself.