omg! i'm so mad i can hardly see straight.

i called the last place i lived up in northern florida to see about when i'd get my deposit back.

first, the manager, helen, can't find my file and asks me to call back in a few minutes.

when i do call back, helen has conveniently stepped out.

but i'm told i owe $350. i ask how can that be?

"you didn't leave any keys."

"oh yes i did. i put them in the slot, two house keys, a mailbox key in an envelope with my forwarding address."

"the cape canaveral address?"

"yes, and the keys were in there with it"

"well, your lease wasn't up."

"oh yes it was, and i put in my written 30 day notice at the end of may. my lease expired at the end of june. sure i left a few days early, but i was paid up until then."

"well, i don't know."

"the way i see it, you owe ME money. i understand you have to take out for the electric i used in june, but i should still get about half of my deposit back."

"well, i don't handle 'move outs.' i'll have to put this on her desk and you'll have to talk to her."

without asking for my phone number until i gave it.

man, i did everything i was supposed to do. i was a good tenant, paid my rent and utilities on time (my water and electric early every month), didn't cause trouble, put in my 30 day notice like a good little girl, dropped off my keys and forwarding address in the night box, like a good little girl...not only that i left that place cleaner than anyone else ever has.

and they're still trying to screw me.