My question involves landlord-tenant law in the State of: Texas
I move out of this property July 2008. I received a final bill dated 8/5/08 fo$ 78.91 and paid the bill via a money order to the apartment complex on 8/6/08. The billing manager signed and gave me a receipt for pmt.
On August 16 2008 I receive a letter from a collection agency for the amount paid. I contacted them faxed over proof of payment and contacted the apartments to get an answer as to why , she explained it was in error and would correct it. She called me and apologized and I confirmed with collection agency that it was handled. In January 2009 I received a call from the collection agency for the same amount but with interest. I contacted the apartments again and she was on vacation two weeks later she called me back and advised that there was a balance left of 29.71 that was for a partial light bill for the day I moved out and that she forgot to send a bill so in actuality I owe a balance but just not the one the collection agency has. So I asked her to remove me from collections because the bill they have has already been paid and I will pay her the 29.71 once I receive a bill from her with a break down of charges. She told me she would not do that. I was under the understanding that I have a right to review charges for a balance owed.
The account in collections is for the 78.91 + Interest not for the 29.71 . My question is can she keep me in collections eventhough 1. The acct is not related to the balance and 2. She didn't notice the 29.71 balance until two weeks ago and failed to send me a bill allowing me enough time to pay it?

