Need Help (San Antonio, Anton: real estate, sublet, apartment complex)

[2late2process]

I need to find an apartment quickly. But I have a broken lease (total cost almost 3k) the apartment will not call me back to try to set up payment arrangements and the collection agency just wants it all. Most apartment complexes at least want a letter saying that I am paying it off.

I am so lost. I have tried to use an apartment locator with little luck and the few places they did find wants me to pay at 1k deposit... which is understandable but I dont have that. I have a little one to support and have only had my job about 3 months after being unemployed for 9 months.

Any help anyone can give will be great. Thanks.

[firstclassflyer]

Originally Posted by 2late2process

I need to find an apartment quickly. But I have a broken lease (total cost almost 3k) the apartment will not call me back to try to set up payment arrangements and the collection agency just wants it all. Most apartment complexes at least want a letter saying that I am paying it off.

I am so lost. I have tried to use an apartment locator with little luck and the few places they did find wants me to pay at 1k deposit... which is understandable but I dont have that. I have a little one to support and have only had my job about 3 months after being unemployed for 9 months.

Any help anyone can give will be great. Thanks.

Sounds like you'll have to go with someone that's just renting out one unit or so...stay away from the big complexes that are definitely going to check up on your credit etc....try Craigslist and good luck.

http://sanantonio.craigslist.org/apa/

[BamaSailor]

Typically, collection agencies try to use scare tactics and often play a rude game to see if you'll just give in. Remember you are talking to "an idiot in a cubicle" as Dave Ramsey likes to say. Do yourself a huge financial favor and simply listen to Dave Ramsey on AM 550 from 1-4PM M-F or listen to his show on his website www.daveramsey.com (in case the link get removed here, it is his name dot com) and go to the archives link. Back to the collection agency...insist on talking to a supervisor, knowing that they too will try to play hard ball with you. Let them no that you do not have the money but will set up payments. If you can scrape up say $1,500 then offer that to pay it off in full. Get it in writing before you pay that X dollars will be considered paid in full. Pay only with a cashier's check or money order. Do not give them ANY electronic access to your account. If the apartment is nearby, I would visit them in person with a check in hand for part of the amount if you can come up with it. If not, visit them and see if they will set up payments. Depends on if they have actually sold the debt to a collection agency. You owe the money and should pay your bills but don't give in to the pressure scare!

[RGJ]

You would think that the previous apt complex would have been a little understanding. $3000 is a lot of money to owe for breaking a lease(presuming it's for early termination and not damages). Did they try to mitigate the amount owed by re-leasing your unit? That may all be water under the bridge at this point. Maybe you can find someone who already has an apt and sublet a room?

[BamaSailor]

Originally Posted by RGJ

You would think that the previous apt complex would have been a little understanding. $3000 is a lot of money to owe for breaking a lease(presuming it's for early termination and not damages). Did they try to mitigate the amount owed by re-leasing your unit? That may all be water under the bridge at this point. Maybe you can find someone who already has an apt and sublet a room?

Good point RGJ. How was the $3,000 calculated? Penalty plus one month's rent; rent for the remainder of the lease... Did you give notice at all? What did the written lease say about ramifications if you break the lease?

[2late2process]

Originally Posted by wc2005

Good point RGJ. How was the $3,000 calculated? Penalty plus one month's rent; rent for the remainder of the lease... Did you give notice at all? What did the written lease say about ramifications if you break the lease?

I did give them notice. I told them when I lost my job that I might have some problems paying. They knew I was preggo too. When I moved out I told them that I thought it was better to avoid an eviction and just agree to move out early (2 months early). Part of my contract says that I have to pay back any 'specials' that I received upon move in. Plus an early termination fee. The rent was only 500/mo.

The apartment complex wont tell me if someone moved in after I did or not before my lease was up. I am sure that they did. The apartments are inexpensive and in a good area.

[goodmanm]

Originally Posted by 2late2process

I need to find an apartment quickly. But I have a broken lease (total cost almost 3k) the apartment will not call me back to try to set up payment arrangements and the collection agency just wants it all. Most apartment complexes at least want a letter saying that I am paying it off.

I am so lost. I have tried to use an apartment locator with little luck and the few places they did find wants me to pay at 1k deposit... which is understandable but I dont have that. I have a little one to support and have only had my job about 3 months after being unemployed for 9 months.

Any help anyone can give will be great. Thanks.

I would find out for certain that the debt was sold to the collection agency or if they are collecting on behalf of the apartment complex company. You should have received a letter from the company running the complex that your debt was sold or assumed by the collection agency.

You mentioned the complex wasn't returning your calls. You may consider going there in person and ask to speak with someone.

It's also good to know your rights under Texas law regarding collection agencies:

Texas Attorney General

Best of luck to you.

[RGJ]

Somethings amuck here...If your rent was only $500 per month and you had two months left on the lease, that would only be $1000.00. with no early termination fee or specials that you may have received. That doesn't consider any deposit. Next time this credit agency calls you and as much as I'm not in favor of bringing in the lawyers, I would inform them that you are pursuing legal action against the apts and if they call again, they will be included. You really should talk to an attorney or legal aid of some sort. This sound totally wrong.

[RGJ]

Also, you might get in contact with the Attorney General's office; San Antonio Board of Realtors and the Texas Real Estate Commission....just some thoughts.....

[2late2process]

Thanks for your help... I will try to fix things with them but I still need a place now... but thanks for you help guys.