<prompt> Human: Around 2008 I left my roommate and apartment and moved in somewhere else. My room was in good condition but I am certain the roommate left the apartment a mess. About a year later I get a call from a collection agency saying I owed 500. I tried calling the apartment and they never gave me anything concrete. I said whatever and paid half, thinking my other roommate would be responsible for the other half. Well the remaining 250 is staring at me still on my credit reports and doesnt seem like it will clear until the end of 2015. I plan on looking to purchase a house or condo in the next year and would like as clean of a credit score as possible. I just recently got a bonus so cash isnt tight, should I pay this amount or maybe fight it? Or should I leave it be and explain this issue to mortgage companies when I plan on purchasing a home?  <response>: If you already paid half, its too late to dispute it. 