OK,

Had our walkthrough the week after we moved out landlord says no problem send deposot tomorrow, 2 weeks pass, I make friendly reminder call, "oh, I was out of town, will send out tomorrow" week passes, no deposit.

I send a certified letter, remind him of our walk through, his consent that everything was fine, and that we are now past the 15 day point and provide address for him to send deposit. Leave a message stating letter has been sent.

When we moved in the agent (not landlord) stated we would not have to pay for water. We reconfirmed with her, by phone, no, definitely you do not have to pay water. A few days before the 30 day mark he sends a check (certified) for 7 bucks, says we never paid water and it is in collections and he is making a claim for $493.

Our side: we never rec'd a bill for water, directly to us or forwarded by him. We have tried to hunt down the agent to get a signed affidavit stating she told us no water, but she has apparently disappeared from the area.

My questions:

1. Does he have a case?

2. Will the fact that we have no bills etc. for water be grounds enough to warrant that this claim is specious, or are we sunk w/out an affidavit from the agent?

3. In FL, in Hillsborough County do we request double the deposit amount?