Large Eviction Debt After Signing a Lease for a Relative
My question involves collection proceedings in the State of: California.
About 2 years ago I signed an apartment lease while living with my mother, she has horrible credit and has always been financially irresponsible so the only way we qualified for the apartment was if it was under my name. I had apprehensions but still signed the lease.
About a year and a half of living there we were served with eviction papers. I spoke to my mom and she stated that she would take care of everything and I thought it was settled until I saw a property manager and she stated she was concerned that we would be evicted and I was so young and my credit score would be affected. I confronted my mom and she flipped out saying that it wasn't my concern since I didn't pay the rent and if I wanted I could pay the past due rent. We were evicted January of this year but my mom told me she "took care of everything".
About a month or two ago I got a notice from credit karma that there were collections on my report. There were two collection amounts of $6,067 and $3,891. These amounts are now $6,113 and $3,921. My credit score has dropped over 60 points. I'm assuming the amounts are for back rent, attorney fees, etc but I don't have any paperwork. Whenever I attempt to talk to my mom she gets upset and refuses to give me any information.
Also to add, the eviction papers were made to both my mom's and my name although she was not on the lease but only my credit was affected and sent to collections. I also never received any other papers before or after being evicted but it's possible my mom took them.
I want to improve my credit but don't know where to start. I've come across conflicting information and have some questions.
I've been told to send a letter to the CA but I've also been told that wouldn't be wise because of the high amount?
I would assume the two derogatory marks have hurt my score more than 1 derogatory mark would, should I talk to the CA?
Since the amounts are increasing will it continue to lower my score?
There is no way that I can pay that the $10,000 now but I have read that it stays on my report whether I pay or not?
Is there a possibility that I will be sued?
Should I speak to the apartments property management?
All help and advice is appreciated. Thank you.
Re: Large Eviction Debt After Signing a Lease for a Relative
You can check with the court that issued the judgment against you to try to determine the present balance of the judgment.
You can try to settle the debts with the creditor, but we can't promise that they'll be interested in settlement or that you'll be able to agree as to an amount.
It's not clear why you would have two amounts showing on your credit, and we have no way to investigate that for you. If this is the same debt, reported twice and in two different amounts, then that's something that the collection agency (or agencies) reporting the debt should correct.