Landlord is holding deposit
By Tenant
Browsing through the internet, one can find a lot of cases that tenants complain about their initial deposit not returned by the landlord when they decided not to move in. Now, before we go ahead and file a complaint or a lawsuit against the landlord, let us remember that there are two sides of every story.
So, what is the purpose of the initial deposit? An initial deposit is a type of payment that you make so that the landlord/property manager will hold of showing the unit/apartment that you are interested to to other interested parties. It is sort of a reservation fee that you can sometimes take back if in case you decided not push through with the rent. Now, there are a few things to consider so that you can determine if you can get your deposit back:
- Did you sign a lease agreement or an application form? Usually, you will have to sign an agreement when you do decide to push through. If you did sign an agreement and there is a clause with a grace period for backing out and you got over it, you’re stuck until the lease expires. But if you didn’t then you can still get out with a portion of the deposit but still depends on the agreement you had with the landlord.
- Was there a receipt? Always make sure to ask for a receipt every time you make a payment. Not only does it help the IRS but it is also proof that you did pay for something.
- What do your state laws say? In some states, the landlord is obliged to return your initial deposit minus the days without a tenant as a holding fee. While in other states, you cannot take your initial deposit back. So, remember to check with your state law before doing anything.
One of the initial deposit’s purposes is to convince the landlord not to rent to other tenants and while you make up your mind. Now, if you take back the deposit, what will take care of the few days of no business for the unit because you were making up your mind?
Edited on: Thursday, March 7th, 2013 12:50 am
15 Responses to “Landlord is holding deposit”
Peter March 7th, 2013 1:00 am |
|||
What if I did not sign any agreement? Can I still get my deposit back?- |
Inell March 7th, 2013 11:00 am |
|||
I gave the landlord a holding deposit for the apartment I wanted to rent however I found out that he gave the apartment to another tenant. Now |
Page March 7th, 2013 9:40 pm |
|||
Can I file a lawsuit against my landlord if he won’t return my deposit? |
Donella March 8th, 2013 8:00 am |
|||
Is there a grace period as to when my landlord can give me back my deposit? |
Wm March 8th, 2013 6:20 pm |
|||
How can the landlord determine how much he would deduct on my deposit for the days his apartment don’t have a tenant? |
Bud March 9th, 2013 4:40 am |
|||
It sucks spending $500 on deposit then you cannot take it back if you decided not to go through with the apartment. |
Garth March 9th, 2013 3:00 pm |
|||
OMG! $500 just for a reservation and is non-refundable? |
Carlee March 10th, 2013 1:40 am |
|||
Is it cheaper to hire a lawyer so that you can get your $500 back? |
Garfield March 10th, 2013 11:40 am |
|||
Is it worth it to go over all this fuss just to get your money back? |
Allen March 10th, 2013 10:00 pm |
|||
As a landlord am I still obligated to return the deposit of this guy who said will move in but never did and it has been several weeks now? |
Judi March 11th, 2013 8:20 am |
|||
Being in this position sucks! |
Daine March 11th, 2013 7:00 pm |
|||
Do I just have to wait for 30 days until my landlord gives me back my deposit? |
Mariano March 12th, 2013 5:00 am |
|||
What is the required deposit for an apartment? |
Clifford March 12th, 2013 3:40 pm |
|||
My landlord gave the apartment I deposited to another person and now he refuses to give me back my money. |
Heath March 13th, 2013 2:00 am |
|||
Am I supposed to give back my tenants deposit when he never told me that he will no longer rent my apartment and he never showed up to move in? |
Close
Yes, the RPA® Can Help You!
Filing an official complaint is the nation's fastest way to solve tenant problems.
Not Ready? Learn more...
Need Help Filing Your Complaint?
Agents Available Mon- Fri 10am to 10pm
Recently Resolved Complaints:
See how the Nation's Rental Authority has helped thousands of tenants already!
-
Damage Bathtub, Broken Ov...
Statesboro, Georgia - 30461
Case Number 24-0778
-
Black Mold and refusal of...
SALT LAKE CTY, UT - 84106 1716
Case Number 23-2121
-
Scam...
NEW BROCKTON, AL - 36351 8509
Case Number 23-9247
-
Deposit Problems...
ROCKFORD, IL - 61108 4331
Case Number 23-9576
-
Deposit Problems, Violati...
Tyler, Texas - 75708
Case Number 24-0862
Ask Question:
Post a new question to the RPA Tenants rights forum.
You Have Tenant Rights.
Recently Posted Questions:
Over 4,000 questions have been asked by tenants including these new posts:
Tenant Rights Categories
Popular categories about renters rights.
-
- Apartment Complaint (618)
- Frustrated Landlord (21)
- Frustrated Renter (949)
- General Topics (556)
- Landlord humor (2)
- Landlord Legal (25)
- Landlord Problems (846)
- Landlord Q & A (14)
- Landlord Stories (5)
- Landlord Tips (7)
- Legal Questions (1105)
- Rent Horror Stories (192)
- Rent Humor (12)
- Renter Q & A (449)
- Tenant Problems (34)
- Videos Post (109)