I live in NJ in a huge complex owned by one of the largest apartment operators in the country. As part of a recent move from one apartment to another within the same complex, my current roommate and I paid (by two separate checks) a lease transfer and 17 days worth of rent (the total amount due for that month, per their calculations) on an apartment we recently vacated. When we received notice of the security deposit refund, they had failed to credit this money (nearly $1,200). Far more importantly, they threatened to turn our account over to a collections agency because of these charges (which were incorrect) and did not mail notice of the charges, according to the postmark, until two weeks past the date they said they would turn the account over. It's now been three weeks past the day we received the notice, and despite certified letters, emails, and countless calls to the management office, the corporate "helpline," and the legal department, no one has made any contact with me about this issue, and I have no idea if we've been reported. I believe this may be some sort of retaliation by the management because of an earlier dispute about the condition of the new apartment. In addition to the security deposit (which we have still not received), I'd like to sue them for some sort of proof that they have not turned the account over or some other sort of protection for us against their error (intentional or otherwise). I know enough about consumer law to know that it's rarely on the side of the consumer, particularly where credit reports are concerned, but we did absolutely everything by the book and need to make sure our credit is protected. Doesn't a company that I do business with have an obligation to post payments accurately and timely, and don't companies have an obligation to protect a consumer's credit report against errors they have made? Do I have to wait until the charges appear on my report (if they do) to take any action? Any suggestions?
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