I vacated my apartment 14 months back. Last week I received a letter from a collection agency, saying that I owe the apartment management, $600. I was surprised and called up the agency to get detailed bill. I also called up apartment management. They tell me that it is for the iron burns on the carpet.

When, I moved in 2 years back, the marks were there. I was lazy to report this. Later, when I moved out, in Dec 2005, I received a notice of a fine of $600 for the iron burns. I called up maintenance manager and explained him that the makrs where there when I moved in. He agreed to take this off from my file.

I agree that I am idiot not to have mentioned this when I moved in. and a double idiot, not to have the maintenance manager give it in writing that he has agreed to take it off from the file.

But my question to you is, should I be paying them $600 now? Do they have a legal (and ethical) right to ask me for this money after 14 months of my moving out?

Please advice.