Im pretty sure that they are treated like all other accounts....7 years from the date of delinquency. In this case, probably 7 years from the date you moved out. I have one on my report also. My ex-spouse and I went our seperate ways, breaking an apartment lease. The balance owed is $800. We were so stupid we didn't pay the phone bill either and it was reported by a collection agency. The phone company never reported only the collection agency. The balance was not large so I paid the phone company. Then the collection agency listed the account as a paid collection. I disputed saying "I dont know this collection agency, never dealt with them, and paid the original creditor." The collection agency didn't respond and the account was removed. I am planning to do the same with my broken lease. The apartment owners have no account on my report, only the collection agency. I hope I get the same result. Is your account being reported by the lessor or by a collection agency? Someone told me that lessors can't report but an agency can.
5 yrs if you live in NY... Killer wrote: ------------------------------- Im pretty sure that they are treated like all other accounts....7 years from the date of delinquency. In this case, probably 7 years from the date you moved out. I have one on my report also. My ex-spouse and I went our seperate ways, breaking an apartment lease. The balance owed is $800. We were so stupid we didn't pay the phone bill either and it was reported by a collection agency. The phone company never reported only the collection agency. The balance was not large so I paid the phone company. Then the collection agency listed the account as a paid collection. I disputed saying "I dont know this collection agency, never dealt with them, and paid the original creditor." The collection agency didn't respond and the account was removed. I am planning to do the same with my broken lease. The apartment owners have no account on my report, only the collection agency. I hope I get the same result. Is your account being reported by the lessor or by a collection agency? ....
