Tenant Rights Unlawful Retaliation

Summary

The user, a tenant in Oklahoma, faced retaliation from their landlord after reporting a mold issue. The landlord refused to renew the lease during the pandemic and later charged the user for items left behind, including a couch and a TV mount. The user disputed these charges, but the credit reporting agency sided with the landlord. The user is seeking advice on how to further dispute these charges.

Full Conversation

Oklahoma and it happened may of *
What evidence do you have to support your claim of retaliation? In Oklahoma, landlords cannot retaliate against tenants for exercising their legal rights.
My kitchen wall was completely saturated with black mold months before. They wouldn’t fix it so I had to threaten legal action. Also they removed the molded wall without following proper protocol. I have tons of pictures and emails regarding the mold.
Did you notify your landlord in writing about the mold issue before taking legal action?

In Oklahoma:
- Landlords are required to maintain habitable housing.
- Tenants can sue for damages related to health issues caused by mold.
yes
What was the response of your landlord after you notified them about the mold issue?

In Oklahoma:
- Landlords must address mold issues promptly.
- Failure to do so can be considered negligence.
yes
What was the content of your landlord's response after you notified them about the mold issue?

In Oklahoma:
- Landlords are required to respond and rectify reported issues.
- Ignoring such issues can lead to legal consequences.
they gave me a monthly discount until lease was up a few months later. At that time they would not renew my lease and threatened eviction. Refused to renew it during the pandemic when the world was shut down with a no eviction order in place for pandemic.
What actions did you take after your landlord refused to renew your lease and threatened eviction?

In Oklahoma:
- Landlords cannot evict tenants without a court order.
- Retaliation against tenants for exercising their rights is illegal.
I moved because I didn’t want an eviction on my record. Now they put an amount of $* on my credit report for things left behind. For example a couch I could not take on my own.
Did you receive any written notice or communication about the charges for the items left behind?
no but I also didn’t feel safe to give them my forwarding address becaise they were not nice or decent.
Did you document the condition of the apartment when you left? This could be useful in disputing the charges. In Oklahoma, landlords must provide an itemized list of deductions from the security deposit.
no. Some of the charges I agree with. Couch being one I do not agree with becaise I could not get help.
Did you inform your landlord about your inability to move the couch due to the pandemic?
yes
What was your landlord's response when you informed them about your inability to move the couch due to the pandemic?
no response
What steps have you taken to dispute the charges on your credit report?

In Oklahoma:
- Tenants can dispute incorrect charges.
- Documentation and communication records can support your dispute.
I’ve emailed them many times
What was their response to your emails disputing the charges?
they informed me I still owe them thereafter, nothing
What was the exact amount charged for the couch and was it specified in the lease agreement that you would be responsible for such charges?
* dollars and yes
What was the condition of the couch when you left it in the apartment?
great. Also electric recliners built in with electrical plugs and usb charging. It was heavy
Did you try to sell or donate the couch before leaving the apartment?
no because we were under pandemic restrictions and could not. Also as a nurse working covid unit could not expose others during restriction times as well
What steps have you taken to dispute the charge with the credit reporting agencies?

In Oklahoma:
- You have the right to dispute inaccurate information on your credit report.
- Credit reporting agencies must investigate disputes within 30 days.
i have disputed it once
What was the outcome of your dispute with the credit reporting agencies?
their favor and reported through credit karma
What was the reason given by the credit reporting agency for deciding in their favor?
accuacy
What steps have you taken after the credit reporting agency decided in their favor?
just an email
What was the content of the email you sent after the credit reporting agency decided in favor of your landlord?
nothing but the disputed amount. Nothing further
What was the response to your email about the disputed amount?
it was found in their favor. The only time I disputed it.
What steps have you taken since the dispute was found in their favor?
I emailed the ceo and his secretary emailed me my owed amount.
What was the content of the email from the CEO's secretary regarding the owed amount?
that he was looking into it and he would have some one contact me
Has anyone from the CEO's office contacted you regarding your dispute?

In Oklahoma:
- Tenants can seek legal advice if they believe they're being unfairly charged.
- Disputes can be escalated to small claims court.
that’s when o got the owed amount and listed items from his secretary
What was the content of the email from the CEO's secretary regarding the owed amount and listed items?
just my itemized owed amount
What specific items were listed in the itemized owed amount?
cleaning. Couch and tv mount on wall left behind because it was just me. I would need assistance with that too along with couch
Did you have a chance to remove the TV mount or ask for assistance in removing it before vacating the apartment?
no could not due to pandemic restrictions set by government
Did you inform your landlord about your inability to remove the TV mount due to the pandemic restrictions?
yes
What was your landlord's response when you informed them about your inability to remove the TV mount due to the pandemic restrictions?
they didn’t respond nor care
What steps have you taken since receiving the itemized owed amount from the CEO's secretary?
talking to you
What was the total amount charged for the cleaning, couch, and TV mount left behind?
$*
What was the breakdown of the $* charge for cleaning, the couch, and the TV mount?
couc * tv mount *. Rest was cleaning
What steps have you taken to dispute these specific charges with your landlord or the credit reporting agencies?
none so I’m asking you what can I do next
talking to you for advice
talking to you
none
What is the condition of the apartment after you left, especially the areas that were cleaned and charged for?
i owe for cleaning I am not disputing that part
i owe for cleaning
there was cleaning needed
What was the condition of the items (couch and TV mount) you left behind?
great condition and new
both were great condition
they were new
Did you have a chance to discuss the condition of the items (couch and TV mount) with your landlord before leaving the apartment?
yes and they did not respond
yes
yes I dis
What was your landlord's response when you discussed the condition of the items (couch and TV mount) before leaving the apartment?
no Response
they did not respond
What steps have you taken to dispute the charges for the couch and TV mount with the credit reporting agencies?
talking to you
ai you
talking to you
none
I reported one time and they found in landlords favor like I said above
What was the reason given by the credit reporting agency for deciding in favor of your landlord?
accuracy
it was accurate