Understanding Debt and Collections: How Can a Debt Collector Contact a Tenant?
Tenants and debtors (generally) have rights and protections under state and federal laws. Debt collectors must contact in the following ways:
- In person, by mail, or other ways
- Between 8 AM and 9 PM unless you agree otherwise
- Can contact you at your job unless they know that your employer does not allow this. If the debt collector calls you at your job, they can’t say anything that would let your employer or anyone else know that you owe a debt.
- Can contact your friends and family, but they can’t tell them you owe a debt.
- If you have a lawyer, the debt collector can only contact your lawyer about the debt.
- Debt collectors cannot harass or threaten tenants, use profane language, and call outside of reasonable hours.
- Debt collectors must also provide tenants with written notice within five days of the initial communication, informing them of their rights and how to dispute the debt.
The tenant may stop the creditor from contacting them. To read more, visit this link.
The above article provides information about legal issues but is not the same as legal advice. Legal advice is when a lawyer applies the law to your specific situation. The information in this article does not replace the advice or representation of a licensed attorney. Law Center for Better Housing cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information in this article and is not responsible for any consequences that may result from using it. You should consult with a licensed attorney to ensure the information in this article is appropriate for your specific situation. Using the information in this article does not create a relationship between Law Center for Better Housing and you as your attorney.