Obstructing communication as a tool of getting to collection

Alex · #1 06-07-2005, 10:02 PM

I have a property.One of bills I got was for swimming pool management company.
I paid the bill ( around $200 ) , but when they deposited the check after 1.5 months I hadn't sufficient founds on my account, so the payment was declined.Then I sent them another check and tried to contact the management company by phone. I had no success, they just do not answer calls and leaving messages doesn't help.After a month my tenants complained they do not get access to the swimming pool. They have been informed I should pay more than $500, because it was passed to collection's law office. The management company refusing to communicate and threatening to put a lien on my property.
What should I do?

aaron · #2 06-07-2005, 10:37 PM

Check your contract with them, in relation to late fees and penalties. Attempt to resolve the debt with them. Get overdraft protection for your bank account so it doesn't happen to you again in the future.

Alex · #3 06-08-2005, 07:03 AM

Thank you!
Actually, I don't remember signing anything with them.
I've already established account protection.What makes me angry is a fact they're providing incomplete address in Property management listings and during winter-spring months do not bother to check phone messages and respond.This way there is no opportunity to communicate with them, unless they initiate contact.They don't accept calls with blocked CallerID, so they're responding only to selective calls.When a friend of mine tried to get their address, they gave P.O Box.
They're unwilling to make any discounts.Does it make a sense to complain?

aaron · #4 06-08-2005, 07:48 AM

If they have no written contract, they probably have no basis for jacking up a $200 bill to $500 in the space of a few months.

Complain to whom?

Alex · #5 06-08-2005, 09:07 AM

any state or federal institutions.
actually, I don't know what is the best course of action

Alex · #6 06-08-2005, 09:23 AM

they claim attorney's fees, according to $250 per hour, $319 in total.
is there anything restricting them from just doubling and tripling this amount?
can they put a lien on my property? - it's their new threat.

aaron · #7 06-08-2005, 10:19 AM

On what basis do they claim attorney fees? You're not even sure if there is a contract, which may or may not allow for such attorney fees, so we can only guess.

It sounds like it is time for you to consult a local lawyer.

Alex · #8 06-08-2005, 10:36 AM

they just told I signed something in tonns of paperwork,when I purchased the house some months ago.
However, they intentionally avoided any contact in order to escalate it to collection.May be they get comission