returning deposit if tenants can not rent.

By Donna

I need help..   I have a friend whos in laws rent slums but they think they are very nice homes..   My husband and I went to look at one of the homes for rent..  When we got there the electricity was shut off so we had to view this place by flash light..   well of course by flash light you did not see things like you would with lights on or during the day..   we were in a fix to find a place quickly..  when speaking with the owners earlier that day there was no mention of any type of security deposit and they would pay the water bill which they currently doing..   mind you we signed nothing with them..   we were in a bind so we agreed on renting the place..  at which time I gave them $250.00 to show our good faith..    well within 24 hours the landlord called asked if we could pay the rest of the security deposit and or another $350.00 towards the first month’s rent cuz he had an overdue electric bill that needed to be paid.    and also reminded me that the gas which is shut off at the property cuz there was no heat in the place at this time..  this was on a Thrusday I called him on Saturday to inform him that we could not rent the place due to the fact my husband was losing his job and we were forced to move and live with my parents.   he started screaming and yelling saying he took the ad out of the paper (the paper only comes out once a week and that is on Thrusday’s) and had took the signs down on the property (he lives less then 3 miles from the property..    he is now telling everyone that he is not going to give me my money back cuz I did not show good faith..   is there any type of law that cuz we did not sign anything it was a verbal agreement and that we could not afford the place with the utilities bills which I found out for the various companies would run me more a month then the rent ..  will I have to sue him in court.    after driving by the place in the daylight there are quite a few things wrong with the place..  do not know how anyone could live there ..  the windows are chaulked shut..  there is hay bales next to the side of the house where the foundation is gone (guess to keep heat in )  the main doors on the back of the house are broken and have plastic covering them (security???)..  and the gas water heater is right next to the bath tub..  there are light sockets fixtures inside that are made for the outside..   I have tried talking with the people and they will not budge..  need help asap…  I know what I did was wrong not putting anything in writing but I know I have rights (don’t I..??)  the home needs to be torn down  is there some sort of agency that goes and looks at rental properties and fines the landlord for unfit units.    please any help in this situation would be great.. 

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Holy Cow, we couldn't find any other related post. Sorry. :(