obligated for payment on condo?????

[combsbja]

My husband and I stayed at a condo on the coast of North Carolina July 7th through July 14th. I received a bill from the realty office on 9/18/01 for $45.00 for a broken toilet seat and a broken mirror, neither of which we damaged while we were there. My question is how long after one stays in a rental property are they legally obligated by their "contract" to pay for damages the property management claims was done. I find it a little ridiculus that they are sending me this invoice 2 months after we stayed there.

Thank you for any advice you'd be willing to offer.

 

[JETX]

Though I agree that 2 months after the fact is excessive, I am not aware of a statutory timeframe for notice in this situation.

More importantly, what did they say when you asked IN WRITING for an explanation of the delay and for some support for their contention that you were the liable party???

 

[combsbja]

Halket,

Thank you for your reply to my question.

I received the invoice on 9/18/01 and have not yet replied to the real estate office.

 

[Gene Gayda]

In most states, the rental for only one week's time is not regulated under landlord - tenant law. Most commonly, it falls under innkeeper (motel) law.

Paraphrase your question as: "The Holiday Inn sent me a bill two months after I stayed with them."

Can they do this? - Yes.

If you paid by credit card, it would probably have shown up (unannounced) on your monthly statement.

Should you automatically pay this? - No.

Can they put this on your credit file if you ignore it? - Yes.

Should you write them a letter asking whY? - Yes.

Good luck.


Gene