What is the name of your state? WA
This morning I was served with papers, I am being sued by a debt collection company which bought the debt from my former Apartment complex.
The case is for $288 that the apartment company claims I owe them for lack of tidiness in my apartment (I know it's a paltry amount but I feel like it's the principal of the matter). A few questions:
Will a witness (friend and co-worker of mine) saying that he saw the place very clean a few days before moving out make a difference in court?
A large part of the money claimed is due to damage to the carpet. Most of the stains were existing before I moved in and should be noted on the exit report of the previous tenants. Is there any way I can force them to release that report to me? What about the cleaning bill for the carpet before I moved in (I don't think they cleaned the carpet at all before me)?
Which would be better, judge or jury trial?
Also, on my exit report they note a specific stain, but when I pointed out that it was pre-existing (in writing) they claimed (in writing) that the stain was not a factor in their tallying. Will this help me?
I appreciate the time and effort all of you make in keeping this site running, I hope my thanks can be enough for your services.
This morning I was served with papers, I am being sued by a debt collection company which bought the debt from my former Apartment complex.
The case is for $288 that the apartment company claims I owe them for lack of tidiness in my apartment (I know it's a paltry amount but I feel like it's the principal of the matter). A few questions:
Will a witness (friend and co-worker of mine) saying that he saw the place very clean a few days before moving out make a difference in court?
A large part of the money claimed is due to damage to the carpet. Most of the stains were existing before I moved in and should be noted on the exit report of the previous tenants. Is there any way I can force them to release that report to me? What about the cleaning bill for the carpet before I moved in (I don't think they cleaned the carpet at all before me)?
Which would be better, judge or jury trial?
Also, on my exit report they note a specific stain, but when I pointed out that it was pre-existing (in writing) they claimed (in writing) that the stain was not a factor in their tallying. Will this help me?
I appreciate the time and effort all of you make in keeping this site running, I hope my thanks can be enough for your services.