Deposit Issue

By Mary Adele Philips

On March 28, 2013, I signed a lease with a couple whose house I wanted to rent. I paid an earnest money contract on the home to hold it in the amount of $100 and then paid an additional $2,400 for rent and deposit. The move-in date was scheduled for April 15. I never moved into the dwelling in any way, but started preparations for the move by a more thorough review of the house. This is where I found problem after problem, including the fact that the pool company I was going to hire to maintain the pool explained to me that the pool had more work neede, than was stated by landlord. After seeing that the "rental" of this house was going to include an exorbinant amount of work that was not known at the time of the lease, I contacted by phone and then emailed the landlord to tell them (it’s a couple) that I would not be moving in and to return my money. They have now said that with a signed lease, I’m not entitled to my deposit or first month’s rent. Is this true? What is my recourse, and how to handle this issue without having to spend as money and time that  What are the laws?

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