I live in the state of Maryland. I applied and put a security deposit down on a two bedroom roommate style apartment. I got approved for the apartment. I and my roommate went to look at the apartment and it was smaller than advertised and the bedroom were side by side. The rental office showed us a floor plan that had the bedrooms on each side of the apartment and a certain square feet. The apartment we were to move into was smaller and the bedrooms were side by side (not good for two young men) this not what we were showed and told the apartment looked like. We decided that we did not want to move into the apartment. We feel as thought we have been lied to by the rental office. The rental office will not give us back our security deposit. Can they do this is this legal? We have not signed a lease. We just did a application to get approved.

Desperate for Help,

I live in the state of Maryland. I applied and put a security deposit down on a two bedroom roommate style apartment. I got approved for the apartment. I and my roommate went to look at the apartment and it was smaller than advertised and the bedroom were side by side. The rental office showed us a floor plan that had the bedrooms on each side of the apartment and a certain square feet. The apartment we were to move into was smaller and the bedrooms were side by side (not good for two young men) this not what we were showed and told the apartment looked like. We decided that we did not want to move into the apartment. We feel as thought we have been lied to by the rental office. The rental office will not give us back our security deposit. Can they do this is this legal? We have not signed a lease. We just did a application to get approved.

Desperate for Help,

Tell them that if they don't return your deposit then you will file a lawsuit. If they showed you a floor plan to get you to place a deposit and then weren't able to deliver what they showed you, then they don't have a right to keep your deposit.

If they don't return the deposit immediately then file in small claims court.