The Villages of Forest Ridge & Town and Country Management apartment scam

In June of 1999 we rented an apartment after moving from out of state. Upon signing the lease, we informed the manager that we were searching for a house, would it be a problem to break the lease should we find our house. We were told, no problem, just give 60 days written notice so they would have ample time to rerent the property.

We found our house in September of 99, gave them 60 days written notice and paid the full months rent in November even though we left on the 12th of the month.

In January of 2000 we get a bill for 699.00 calling it a "termination fee". After reviewing our lease, no "termination fee" was mentioned. I Called and spoke to management, and was referred to their home office in Ellicot Maryland. They sent a copy of the lease showing we owed rent for every month the apartment was not rented, but still no specification of a termination fee.

The next month we get a bill for 519.00, calling it a "redecorating fee". WE also inquired about that, never got a response. Didn't hear anything until August of 2000, claiming it took them until February to rerent the property and we owed them 1398.00. The amount of 2 months rent.

Upon speaking to our attorney, he informed us it was the managements responsibility to rerent that apartment before any other were rented. I spoke to several NEW residences of the community who all told me that property was never shown nor offered to them.

Two people said they would have preferred that apartment, it was close to the pool and laundry room. I refused to pay the 1398.00 because they did not attempt to rent that property
as soon as possible, and instead of taking us to court, where we could defend ourselves, they reported a "charge off" on our unblemished credit report. We have never heard another thing from them.

After reading the Fair Credit Reporting Act of 1997 I found that they could not report to the credit bureau as long as the debt was being disputed without including a copy of the dispute. They did not do that either. Now I don't know where to turn.
Help!

iW2-9