Landlord refusing to pay back security deposit.
Hey Folks, This question isn't about me, but my girlfriend. I'm going through a tough time because of her. She was going to rent an apartment in California that she liked and also paid the security deposit to the landlord in advance (landlord also lives in the apartment, i.e. my girlfriend has to share the apartment with the landlord). My girlfriend didn't sign any contract agreement whatsoever though. But now after that my girlfriend realized that the landlord is a very messy and dirty person, she doesn't want to share an apartment with her anymore. But the landlord is refusing to pay her back the deposit, even though my girlfriend didn't move into that apartment and didn't even live there for a singe day yet. The reason why the landlord is refusing to pay my girlfriend the deposit back is because she already gave her the keys to the apartment, which she says is almost like an agreement/contract and also because she missed out on renting the place to other people because of my GF. So my girlfriend can now contact anyone she wants or sue her, but the landlord will be in the right. Is that true ? Can someone please clarify if this is really true? And if this is not true, what should my GF do or who should she contact ? Who could help my GF out with this? The police ? A lawyer ? Thanks in advance folks.
God bless,
Ben