Collection not valid...?? What to do?

[Koffee]

Okay....here's my story.

I moved out of my apartment in August. Now I have a bill for $7000.00+

Apparently, without any notice the apt. turned off the water for repairs. ( I did not know) The movers disconnected the washing machine during the move. The next day the apt turned the water back on and it flooded my old apt and the ones on each side of me. (ground floor) I just received a call from the collection agency, which I did not take. What is my best route of response. There is NO WAY I can or will pay it.

[Ned505]

Koffee,

I see this as an insurance issue. 

Do you have a renters insurance?  If so the easiest thing to do is engage your agent.

You should also file a claim with the movers insurance agent and the property owner's agent.  The asjusters will fight and point fingers and then settle.

Also, your contract with the property owner is different.  The dispute is over damage, not about payment. 

Good luck!

Ned.

[Anonymous]

Seems like the movers would have turned off the water at the machine before disconnecting the hoses.  If they did not, and the water was on, there would have been a mess.

Had you already returned the key to the manager?

[Koffee]

Yes, the key was returned.

No, I did not have renters insurance.

I agree if the water was on, when the washer was disconnect there would have been 1 or 2 gallons of water on the floor, but we would have turned off the valve and cleaned up the spill. But since the water was off at the street for repairs, I did not know that the faucet was left in the on position. The apartment did not flood until late that night or morning when the repairmen turned the water back on.

My stand is that had I been notified that the water was turned off, I would have double checked the faucets.

[Anonymous]

This could be a hard one.  You may need to seek legal advice.  See if you can get a free consult with an attorney.

Was the key returned before the water was turned back on?  Does your state require a joint walk thorough with the apartments upon moving out?  If so, was it done?