Is this fair credit reporting

"Hello" and welcome to the Credit Forum. Not an 'expert' here, but......I just want to ask a few questions. Were the Utilities in YOUR name, and the tenants paying YOU for them? That's the only thing I can think of, why the debts would be on YOUR Credit Report. Anyway.....there are experts, on this forum that can help and answer your questions. I'm sure one of them will be along shortly. I think you will enjoy this forum. Hang in there. Thanks.

Hi meka34
Yes, chargers has got it right. If the utilities were in your name and the tenants were paying the utility bills to the companies directly in your name, then if they do not pay the bills for any particular month, you alone are responsible to pay off the debt and if you go default, the outstanding debts will be listed in your credit report and lower your credit score.

Yep...................I rented a trailer, some years ago, from someone, and ALL of the Utilities were in the Landlords name. So, if I was late paying something, the 'late payment' would be on the Landlords CR. Maybe if you DO write a 'dispute' letter, and explain the circumstances..including the names of the tenants, etc.

The negative listing will stay in your credit report for seven years from the date of the last payment of the bills. Now since the bills are already been sold off to the collection agency you should first send a DV letter to the CA to be sure whether the debt has been sold off to them. If the debt has been sold off, try to make the CA agree to pay for deletion agreement. If the CA agree to the PFD agreement, you should get it in writing so that as soon as you pay off the debt, the negative listing gets removed from your credit report.

Taking on so many peoples electric bills is not a good idea. You pretty much had set yourself up for a really risky scene. Unfortunatly the aboved posters are correct, now that the tenants have defaulted you are pretty much stuck with the end results. If I were you I may call the electric company and see if there would be a way to work out a repayment deal. It may be an idea to ask them if you repay if they will delete the markings. Some will work with you. anything is worht a try..if not you will have to deal with the markings for 7 years. To get your money back if you do apy these off you could take each individual to small claims court and get your moeny back if you have enough proof.

If you DO go to Small Claims, I really don't think you would have a difficult time. I would think you would need the Lease Agreement and anything else you have in writing.

I am sure if he has any records of the acccounts he can most likely sue and win back the money. There is also another option here if he does not have the moeny to front the bills. He could first take they tenants who defaulted on their utility bills to a magistrate or samll claims court and after he collects then go and pay off these bills. If I were to do it this way I would eb sure to be in contact with the utility company so they knew what was going on and they may be able to work with the property owner. If he can prove to a court that these are not his bills and then show it to the utility company they may go and remove the morkings from his record. You never know until you try.