Can you get financing for the property? If your lease includes an option to buy, then you have right of first refusal. He can't sell unless he offers the property to you for the same price.

As Judy indicated the lien idea is not going to fly because you would have to sue him and since the deposit is not due back yet, there is no grounds for a suit.

I would have a lawyer place it into an escrow acct. if you just put it into a savings acct, with your names, it is not the same.I know paying a lawyer cost $$. But in the long run it will best serve yor interests.I feel bad for you and yours ! My mortgage co. (country wide ) changed everything and are trying to take my home of 20+ years away from me.Hopefuuly your landlord will meet them when they all arrive in HELL.P.S. God bless your family for being police officers!

In Virginia, you can send your rent to the Circuit Court in your area with a letter stating your conflict with the landlord. Doing this shows your good faith in paying the rent, but that there is a situation that has to be cleared up first. The landlord can't evict for non-payment as long as the Circuit Court holds the rent.

It might be worth finding out if Florida has similar protection for renters. Any large real estate office that handles rentals should be able to give you guidance, especially if they know you are going to be looking for a new location soon.

Good luck, I hope you get your money back.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ahrensfox

I would have a lawyer place it into an escrow acct. if you just put it into a savings acct, with your names, it is not the same.I know paying a lawyer cost $$. But in the long run it will best serve yor interests.I feel bad for you and yours ! My mortgage co. (country wide ) changed everything and are trying to take my home of 20+ years away from me.Hopefuuly your landlord will meet them when they all arrive in HELL.P.S. God bless your family for being police officers!!

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I do not understand your advice - how to handle this problem has been posted, COMPLETE with the Statute (law) that covers this situation.

Why would you advise the OP to go outside the Statute, including retaining an Attorney and spending the extra money - ?

What did Countrywide do to your existing mortgage that changed everything and is causing you to lose your home?

I appreciate that you are obviously very angry with Countrywide but your comments about who is and who is not going to Hell are inappropriate on the legal board. Those comments belong on a message board.