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View Full Version : I can I get my deposit back for a house that I didn't move in?


gpelletier
Sep 25, 2008, 11:25 PM
I gave a deposit of $2995 for a house to rent over the labor day weekend. That Sunday I gave a property management company a credit card access check as a deposit. By the next business day on Tuesday, I told them that I changed my mind and rented another house. They said they were going to deposit my check anyway. How can I get that money back? It already cleared from my credit card account.
:eek:

Justice Matters
Sep 27, 2008, 03:44 PM
Generally, in order to be able to keep the deposit the landlord must show it incurred damages. If the landlord was able to re-rent the house the next day then damages may be minimal or non-existant.

However, if the landlord turned away other prospective tenants after accepting your deposit and has been unable to re-rent the house since then its damages could exceed the deposit.

You should probably start by making a demand for the return of the money and see how the landlord responds.

You should also look up your local landlord-tenant laws to see if there is anything further that may help you.