My question involves landlord-tenant law in the State of: Michigan
I recently moved out of an apartment that required no security deposit. I provided my new address and I received a statement for carpet damage to a bedroom 3 weeks later. I disputed the charge. The landlord replied with pictures of the bedroom and an itemized statement showing carpet replaced in the bedroom AND downstairs living room. Nothing in the damage statement says anything about living room damage. Therefore, I replied with calculations of my own separating the living room from the bedroom and utilizing the "usable" life of the carpet per the landlords earlier reply. I am waiting on his reply.
However, my question is in regards to the threat of the landlord sending the amount to collections. Michigan law states that if a tenant disputes damages then the landlord must negotiate an amount with the tenant or take the tenant to court. Since I don't have a "security deposit" per se, can he just send any amount he determines to a collection agency without getting a judgment? Seems like he may have found a loophole in the tenant law. I don't mind fighting this but I don't want a bill collector ruining my credit until I get it resolved.
Thoughts?

