On 2/19/2011 my fiance' and I paid 1000.00 down -( 600.00 first month rent and 400.00 deposit)on a house we wanted to rent out. We were given a lease but it was never filled out. We were told that the money paid would go towards repairs on the house. The house was not in livable conditions ( windows, doors, old carpet, holes.. no pluming) The landlord made aggrement via phone that we can move in by 3/4/2011. Unfortunately my fiancé was murdered on 3/3 (unrelated situation) and when I told the landlord that I will not be moving in and wanted to get my money back he said that we owe another 250.00 for the next month. The landlord says he no longer has the money anymore due to starting on the repairs. The house was still not livable by 3/5/2011. Now he says that he has to move someone else in the house. What options do I have to get my money back. Should I wait until someone moves in, or should I take this to court. Turns out the landlord still owes on the mortgage due to previous tenants not paying rent. I really need my money back, I'm 8mths pregnant and could use this money towards another place to live for me and my family.

Can you clarify something about the lease? Was it a standard lease with none of the blanks filled in? Where is this located?

It's a standard lease. He gave it to us to fill name, info, address, and move in/out dates. It's a typical lease just blank. I didn't fill it out just because of the concern of when the house would be ready to move into. The house is in Atlanta, Ga. My fiance's mom wants to put a lien on the house.

If he won't give it back you need to sue him in small claims