Central High/Stephenson Mills

When I moved into Central High Apartments, I was incredibly impressed with the building (which is why I initially came in). The manager I met with a nice older gentleman. He showed me a one bedroom apartment that I was impressed with but wanted to take a day to think it over before signing any papers. I came back the next day, ready to sign, and the apartment was no longer available. The older gentleman showed me another one bedroom apartment (with more square footage) and offered it to me at the same price as the first/​smaller apartment I had originally seen. I put in my application and was moving in within the week.
I have mixed feelings about the apartment I had. I had high ceilings, a chalkboard in my apartment, and located a block away from downtown South Bend. The cons: outdated appliances, issues with the water temperatures, the building switching over from AC to heat without notifying tenants. I was okay with these cons when I initially moved in. However, a new management group bought the building and came in, making a lot of promises. This happened about four months into my lease. I received a letter saying that Forum Real Estate Group would not alter any current leases (which they didn’t with mine) and they would be responsible for returning security deposits at the end of my lease.
During the last 8 months of my lease, management seemed to change a lot. I was hounded about renewing my lease after I gave the manager three months notice to vacate. The new management didn’t make any changes to the building itself yet they wanted to raise rent for most tenants. As a result, I saw people moving out almost on a daily basis. During the month I was moving, Forum replaced the manager. I made an appointment with him to sign off on my apartment on the last day of my lease. Instead of meeting with him, one of the maintenance guys met with me and signed off on my apartment and also told me I would be getting my FULL security deposit back. He also told me that they would be updating the apartment I had and charging at least $ 300 more a month for it.
I moved out October 1, 2013. It is now the second half of February 2014 and I have yet to receive my security deposit. In Indiana, the law requires landlords to return security deposits within 45 days. I’m approaching the four month mark. I have called the manager who merely tells me he has emailed Forum. I tried to call Forum but still have yet to reach an actual person. I am owed $ 360 and think it’s ridiculous that it looks like I will have to file a lawsuit against the company in order to receive the money I am owed.
I will never move into another apartment owned by Forum Real Estate Group nor will I recommend them to anyone I know.