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Dear Consumer Action:

When we moved into our apartment, we paid our first month's rent plus a deposit of $1,100, plus an extra $500 deposit because we owned a kitten.

The $1,100 was for the last month's rent, so I expected to get $500 back. Instead, I got about $155.

I handed the keys back to the rental agent on the last day of the lease, but she still charged me $150 late fees for the last month's rent, plus about $100 to clean the carpet (even though I had it cleaned) and about $100 to fix a drain problem in the sink that had been there since we moved in a year ago.

I think I should get the other $350 back. - G.E., Atlantic City

The rental agent said the $1,100 was the regular security deposit, not the last month's rent, and that she had dealt with your roommate in the past on all issues. She said she told him that if he did not pay the last month's rent on time, you would be charged the maximum amount in late fees.

You did not send us a copy of the lease. If your lease states the $1,100 is to be the last month's rent, we can pursue it further. But it would be highly irregular if it did.

Under New Jersey law, landlords must put security deposits into interest-bearing separate accounts that they cannot touch until the apartment is vacated.

As for the cleaning and repairs, she said you never reported the sink as a problem until you were close to leaving (a nickel was found to be jammed in the garbage disposal). Under the lease, the carpet cleaning had to be done by a professional, but she said you paid your sister to do it instead.

Renters should understand their leases and follow their requirements in order to avoid losing money at the end of a lease. They should also report any problems within an apartment immediately so they are not blamed for them later.

Gas card update

We continue to receive letters from consumers who have not gotten $50 gas rewards cards (for which they paid Acme $35) from the company administering the program, Mpell Redemption Center of Columbus, Ohio.

We have forwarded contact information for all letter writers to Acme, which is sending $50 store cards to everyone still awaiting the gas cards.

Acme says it is now able to handle all future issues regarding the gas cards through its Customer Information Center, available at 877-932-7948. A spokesperson for Acme said anyone still awaiting the gas card can call for "prompt reimbursement" with a $50 store card.

Please let us know how Acme handles the requests through the CIC number and if you have any problems getting the store cards in the future.

Consumer Action will respond to each properly submitted letter about a problem or question, either in this column or by letter or phone. Letters must include copies - not originals - of all relevant documentation and a name, address and phone number at which you can be reached. Send letters to: Consumer Action, The Press, 11 Devins Lane, Pleasantville, NJ 08232.

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