Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in Washington

collection agency harassment

i was living with a roommate in a house where the landlord was a property management group. i moved out and signed all the proper paperwork to remove me from the lease through the property management group. The roommate stayed in the house for an additional year. When he moved out, he did not fill the oil tank (for heat). Now a collection agency is going after me to pay the bill even though I was not on the lease agreement at the time he moved out. I have all the documentation showing that I was removed from the lease a full year prior to the oil bill being submitted to the collection agency. My question is am I liable for this? Do they have any right to go after me? I have spoken with my ex-roommate and he has not heard a word from the collection agency. So it seems like they are only going after me to pay.

Thank you for any advice you can give.


Asked on 5/02/07, 2:23 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Elizabeth Powell ELizabeth Powell PS Inc

Re: collection agency harassment

I cannot imagine a situation in which a collection agency has a basis to collect for an empty oil tank a year after you moved out.

Collection agencies can call you until you WRITE to them and tell them to stop. Be sure to send a copy of your letter to the Attorney General Consumer Protection Division. Too many complaints will get the collector's license revoked.

That said, hang on to your documentation. You don't say where you are; you can call me if you want. You might also enjoy reviewing budhibbs dot com.

Elizabeth Powell

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Answered on 5/02/07, 2:35 pm


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