Warning: Landlord claimed I ruined their credit score over a $350 late fee dispute

I was 3 days late on rent after a bank error in Portland back in March, and the property manager said they'd report it to the credit bureaus anyway. Did I fight it through the tenant board and risk more fees, or pay the late fee to keep my housing history clean? What would you do when a small slip-up could tank your rental options for years?

3 comments

3 Comments

blair7014d ago

Did you actually check if they reported it or just threatened to?

max_cooper2114d ago

Oh man, I've been down that exact road before. The best thing to do is actually check - call the local code enforcement or permit office yourself and ask if a complaint was filed against that address. Nine times out of ten they'll tell you no, and then you know it was an empty threat. But here's the thing, some people bluff because they know you won't bother to verify. I had a neighbor who claimed they reported my shed for being too close to the property line, but when I called the county they said they hadn't heard a peep from them in years. So just pick up the phone and save yourself the worry.

ray_sullivan14d ago

Did @max_cooper21 actually show you the permit records or just talk?