My question involves a security deposit in the State of: Florida
Some parts may seem irrelevant at first, but it kind of ends up tying together near the end.
[August 2009]
We sign a a years lease for a property at $900 / month starting September 1, 2009. There is a $900 security deposit, $600 of it being non-refundable. It was verbally stated that the $600 is for a "pet damage deposit". This lease was done through a local real estate company, who takes care of the property for the owner. We never do a walk-through of the property or receive the owners information.
[October 2009]
We let the real estate company know verbally that the sink was leaking. We noticed the well on the property was not filtering water properly. We let the real estate company know.
[January 2009]
We let the real estate know once again about the water. It's supposed to be taken care of. We've started to buy bottled water for drinking water.
[March 2009]
The water is still getting worse and we again let the real estate company know. We're still buying bottled water just to drink.
[May 2009]
I've finally had enough and write the real estate company about the problem and asked it to be fixed. It was fixed no more than 14 days later. The was no circuitry for the filter to work correctly.
[June 2009]
We are notified verbally by the real estate company the landlord had spent a lot of money on the filtration system (which we were led to believe was there and working in the first place) and he may want to go up on rent when our lease is up.
[July 29 2010]
Real estate company let's us know via email the landlord wishes to increase rent because the filtration system was costing him a lot of money. We let them know verbally we did not wish to pay that price and we gave them our 30 days notice the next day verbally.
[September 1 2010]
Our lease has expired and we are moved out of the property. A few days later we give the real estate company a forwarding address to which they should send the deposit. They let us know we should have it back soon.
[October 4 2010]
We call the real estate company to find out what was going on, as we haven't received our deposit or a letter as to stating why. They said they'd talk to the owner and find out why.
[Today - October 14]
I had written a letter requesting our full deposit back the previous night so I can send it certified today. I sent it off and lo and behold, we have a claim on our security deposit in our mail this afternoon. It states that there were $200 worth of damage to the property (there was water damage under the sink, the drip pans in the stove needed to be replaced, and there were 3 missing blinds [which weren't there in the first place]). We got a total of $100 back.
The check, statement and envelope were all dated in October, but the claim was dated (more like back-dated) for September 7. I know he has sent this claim too late legally and he hadn't even sent it certified. I also know I am entitled to my full security deposit back because of this. However, I was told that since he did not specify what the non-refundable deposit was for on the lease that it is not valid.
Am I entitled to the $300 back or the full $900 back? Also, should I impose an objection on the claim even though it was legally sent too late (and now that I have the owners address)?
Thank you!

