former landlord sent alleged debt to collectors
landlord tenant attorney California Aug 10, 2026
Location: California I’ll be as brief as I can but willing to expand more as needed in the comments. In short, moved out of prior rental in March 2025 and was returned my entire deposit in the required timeframe. Within that frame, landlord followed up about pet urine discovered by carpet cleaners in a hallway closet and requested I remit payment for treatment, which I did. The landlord provided the cleaners’ assessment and invoice, all was well. 3 months later, about 2 months after new tenants took occupancy of my former unit, landlord alleged further extensive carpet damage and demanded payment from me: I responded requesting the documentation but also questioned whether damages discovered after new occupants took residency could be sufficiently proven to predate their residency. As of 3 months ago (over a year after move out), landlord continued to allege damages were caused by my animal and requested payment. Most recently, they have stated they are sending this debt to collections. I will respond to the collection agency when one reaches out to me with my own documentation demonstrating that these damages were alleged after new occupants took residency of my former apartment, but I did want to ask here if I might have any other legal options I should consider preparing? I should note I was expecting to respond to a small claims court filing, but I assume my former landlord opted not to go this route because it is unlikely that they would be able to prove these damages predated their new tenants’ occupancy. (They also reside in Washington state, while the property I rented is in CA.) Thank you in advance for your time and advice any of you are able to offer.
