My girlfriend and her friend recently agreed with a landlord to move into a 2 bedroom apt. The date was nov 19. There was nothing in writing, all verbal. They agreed on a month to month lease for 1100 a month. The girls gave him 1100 security deposit(half cash and half check which said security deposit and a check for the first months rent) on nov 19th and received keys. They notified the landlord on nov 27th that that had a fight and can no longer move it. Initially the landlord said that he was keeping all the money etc. I explained to him that security deposit was supposed to be deposited into a bank account and not spent. He told me he spent it. I explained to him, I know nj law and he says he gets to keep it for the lost time. Do I have a case in New Jersey? I told him to give me a break cause he has another tenant already but they cannot move in until jan 1, and he says he has bills. What do I do?

They are liable for at least a full months rental, from the time they gave notice. Was the rent to be from the 1st to the 1st or the 19th to the 19th

Agreed, they need to give 30 days notice on a month to month lease, they are on the hook