apartment property damage collection agency calls- credit rating

[jety]

I lived in an apartment for two years and after I moved I got a letter from the management that there were damages in the unit and that I needed to pay for. They retained my security deposit of $500 and asked me to pay $624 more. Some of the items listed were valid and some were not. I left my king size mattress at the trash disposal place while moving out. They charged me $100 for that saying that it is used furniture, not trash and they had to pay for its disposal.

Anyway, what happened was that I wanted to neotiate with them about the charges. The employee who I was talking to ( I went there thrice, called several times) said she didn't have the authority to change any of the charges listed and that the manager had to do it. She said she would call me when she( manager)had time to talk to me. After a month I received a call and a letter from a collection agency asking me to pay $78 that I owed to my previous landlord. I am confused about the charges. They should have been $624, not $78. While I never said that I would not be paying the charges, I am disappointed that they sent it for collections even as I was trying to talk to them( although I waited too long, I agree, I should have spoken to them once more without waiting for her to call me, I came to know now that the amployee had since resigned, she should have let someone else there know the situation, apparently she didn't).

My question is, Should I simply pay the $78 to the Collection Agency? Would it affect my credit rating?

Should I contcat the property and bring to their notice the difference in the amounts? Should I ask them I that I want to pay the entire amount to them and ask them not to spoil my credit rating?

I don't want my credit to get hurt as I am planning to buy a home soon. I was never late in my payments and my credit has been excellent so far. What is the best course of action for me? Please advise.


Thanks in advance,

Jety



I had posted this in real estate forum wrongly and have been guided here by a senior member, thanks.

[jety]

Why is no one answering my question?

[zippysgoddess]

You just posted, have a little patience. There is no one who is paid to be here, we are all volunteers of different areas of expertise who will answers posts as our free time permits.

If they have already sent it to collections, then it is already affecting your credit. If you want to get the correct amount to pay, contact them and pay it, like you should have done a long time ago.

[jety]

What do you mean I should have paid long ago? Do you pay if you think you are sent a wrong bill? I know that I need to pay my bills. I am trying to setlle with them as I thought the charges are not right.

I had posted this in a different section and nobody replied there as well. I asked why my query is not getting answered because I know my language is not very good and thought may be I was not very clear.