Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in Florida

Orlando, Orange County, FL I signed a lease for a house, made the first months rental payment ($1000) & security deposit ($500). Move-in date commenced & the Landlord could not "locate the key" to the property & I was instructed by her staff to change the locks myself when I moved in, & that the property had been left unlocked for my access. Upon arrival, a storm a few days earlier had taken place & there was roof damage, a large crack in the living room ceiling, and roaches all over the place. 3 out of 4 of the bedrooms had mattresses on the floor, drug paraphernalia in one room, and a large bag of garbage in the kitchen; I know first hand that the property had previously been cleaned for my arrival. The property was not move-in ready. When I informed the landlord of this, an offer of reduced rent was made, assurances that no mold existed on the property, and that no one had been living there in the past two weeks. I have pictures of the property affirming my claims, 4 witnesses; the landlord refused the opportunity to view the pictures, dismissed the claims of my consorts, and refused to inspect the property with me in a timely manner. I deem that the house in not in "move-in" condition. I informed the landlord that due to the end of my lease on my current property (expiring in one week), and the home not being in "move-in" condition, I was seeking alternate accomodations & would not be honoring the lease. The landlord agreed to refund $1000 of monies paid, and then dodged me when I attempted to collect. I spoke with a local attorney, letters of demand were refused for delivery & I was unable to file suit owing to the attorneys' pregnancy, and declination of the case. What can I do? Is there a statute of limitations in order on this case?

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