I was evicted 2 1/2 years ago. I was not sued. Can a collection collect for upaid rent?

I had a letter on my door knob of the apt and about them evicting me. I went to court the apt people were not there it was just me so the judge told me i had 3 days to leave and i said ok. I left in january of 2006 and then now i just got a letter from a collection agency trying to get 3grand. They need to hear from me within 30days to validate the debt and they offered me a settlement of 1,560 but i dont have a grand sitting around i would have to do installments. I assume i will only have a judgement against me if they take me to court and sue me but i just wanted some insights. I am also paying a school loan and school tuition so it hit me at a bad time

Each state has a different statue of limitations. Mostly 6 years

As a former collection agency owner I can tell you that they would much rather settle than taking the time to go to court.

Offer to pay them what you can per month. Your FICO will be affected if that's a consideration.

Do NOT contact them at all, just ignore it.

EDIT- All these people on here telling you to pay are lying to you. Your credit already got the hit from this whether you pay or not. If the judge told you the case was over if you left, then that WAS the judgment. These vultures make a living off lying to people and collecting money that isn't theirs. They are the lowest form of scum, and should not be trusted. Your credit won't be good again til the eviction is off it, no matter what you do. Just save that money and keep paying cash for stuff.

They can collect on you. If it is determined you owe them the money, did you break your lease? It depends on how it was stated in your lease, if you were evicted, then you owe them what's left on your lease. Even if you don't have a judgement, they can collect. All a judgement is, the courts determined that you do owe them the money, and they can go after you, even getting a garnishment. Good Luck.

They evicted you. If the didn't have solid grounds to do so, then I'd just ignore the collections. Most of them are just bullies trying to cash in on other peoples misfortunes anyway. In most cases, it isn't worth the money and effort to go to court and try to get a judgment. But hey, We probably are from differing states and the laws different anyway.

If you were ordered by the court to move in 3 days and you did that, then no you can not be held responsable to pay a dime.In fact since the apt.owners didn't even show up for court, they gave up any chance of getting money from you.

unless you pay it it will go on your credit report as bad and thats bad

Lookyhere,

You need a COPY OF THE JUDGMENT to verify if the judgment was just an order to move out, or if it was a judgment including damages for unpaid rent and so forth.

If it INCLUDED THE DAMAGES then the creditor (landlord) or his agent (the collection agency) can garnish your wages or levy your bank accounts. Until the judgment expires (10 years here in A) , if you dont pay up they can get your money any time they want in whatever legal manner they wish to use

If it did NOT include damages, then they can sue you again. That's the hard way for a collection agency. If I were you, I'd work a settlement agreement out for the $1560, made in a few monthly payment. A FEW is critical here, as the agency doesn't want to drag this on for years and years. So let's say you get them to agree to 1560 / 4 = $390 per month for four months straight, or however you can pull it off. Whatever that agreement is, GET IT ON PAPER that when you have finished paying the $1560 with NO MISSED PAYMENTS, then they will release you from the debt.

No paper, no deal - cause they can come back for the rest later otherwise.

If there was a judgment of any sort, you want them to agree (before you pay) to HAVE THE CASE DISMISSED AFTER YOU'VE PAID so it disappears COMPLETELY from your credit report. They might or might not, but try your luck.

L8rs!

Depends on the statute of limitations for debt in your state.