So last November (2019) I hired a property management company. tenants were moving out December 31rst. By March of 2020 it still wasn't rented. So I cancelled. 

we had no signed contract. Just a verbal agreement that she would get half the first month's rent for leasing fees.

5 days ago I got a bill in the mail that my tenant handed me for 274$ from said PM.  The bill claims I've been notified multiple times and that I am 90 days late on the bill. Said that if I did not reply within 5 days they would be getting a collection agency or legal action.

What can I do? My lawyer isn't answering and I need to answer today according to this bill.

We did not sign any contract, I feel like this is an illegal bill.  This is what I have written up to send back to them.

To whom It may conscern at bpm.

I was just handed a bill for the first time today from my tenants at 50 Mackenzie Crescent.

Claiming I am 90 days past due.

Firstly I do not live at this address, so how do you expect me to receive this?

Secondly, I will not be paying this illegal bill. We had no signed contract. The only verbal agreement was that you would collect payment after successfully leasing the place. As industry standard is. (Which you were unsuccessful in doing from November 2019 to March 2020).

Charles X

@Charles Gaucher it is up to the company to provide proof that services were rendered. Without a signed contract, they have no case against you. Seems like they are trying to strong arm you into giving them money. I wouldn't have responded to them, personally, since they didn't even send the invoice to you directly.

The fact they were willing to work with you without a contract, should tell you how unprofessional they are.

Now, you're seeing even more evidence of it.

If they are this unprofessional, this is a shakedown. Without a contract, they have no legal leg to stand on.

Not sure what everyone elses PM's are charging, but the 3 that I use charge a full months rent to find and place a tenant.  It may seem like alot, but I've never missed a months rent in 7 years due to an empty apartment.  You get what you pay for. 

@Charles Gaucher

It is not illegal to send someone a bill. It may be unenforceable but it is not illegal. Find your shredding machine and handle it that way. And most importantly, hire better. Real estate is a playground with expensive lessons so either get good and educated or get out your check book.

You said you cancelled

How did you cancel?

Originally posted by @Michael Plante :

You said you cancelled

How did you cancel?

By email, which they replied to and I went the next day to pick up the keys. March 6th.

This bill was received in December.