I live in Alabama. We apparently have no tenant laws here, so it may be that no help is available. Still...

I recently made a deposit on an apartment that was not yet ready to rent, but put the deposit down because I was told "the apartment will probably go fast" and "once the deposit is down, we'll get it ready quickly!" That was three weeks ago. They claim it will be ready Friday, but they claimed it was ready over a week ago, and it was not. How long after a deposit is made on an apartment should the apartment be ready? I doubt there are any laws in my state about this, but does anyone know of any standards on what is reasonably expected?

Are we talking new construction or just getting an existing apartment ready? Does the lease or deposit contract say anything about when occupancy will occur? Do you have an issue with having to vacate your current residence?

While Alabama may not have any specific laws about landlord/Tenant, contract law still applies. By asking for and receiving a deposit, you entered into a contract with the apartment owners/managers. There had to be terms to that contract.

The situation is that the apartment does not need construction - it is whole, solid, etc. It needs lots of maintenance, though. There's a hole in the ceiling, no tile on the kitchen floor (just cement) rail broken on the balcony, doors off the hinges and on the floor, etc. It's just in crappy shape, and in no condition for someone to move in.

All I've done is put down a deposit. I haven't entered into the lease yet. If there is a contract regarding the deposit, it was not shown to me.