Deposits are easy money for them.

If you didn't get whatever was said to you in writing, you lose.

"Where does it say I get my money back?" is the question you should ask, and if it doesn't say that than it doesn't say that.. nothing else is up to discussion.

Same thing about when you move in to a place. If you didn't get the previous damage in writing or in a report, you lose and there is nothing you can do about it when you move out.

You can complain all you want, but how does anyone really know that you were told that you would get the money back? I don't know you and how do I know you wouldn't lie over $150? I'm not accusing you of lying, just saying I don't know and no one is going to invest much energy in finding out over a few bucks.

Everyone has to learn this someway, just be glad this is how you learned it.