I paid a deposit on an apt but did not take the apt...can they keep the deposit?

Question

No lease was signed and no apartment was really offered. this was a part of the application process seperate from the app. fee

Answer 1

By common sense usage of the language, if you paid an application fee, then the deposit should have been dependent on you getting an apartment (and why did you pay it ahead of that, should have been paid with the lease signing?), so you should get it back, but not the application fee.

Answer 2

Re-read the housing/rental/lease agreement for the apartment complex. Not that I think its necessarily ethical, but a lot of places will charge you something (like the deposit) as a fee for backing out of the agreement. Given that you said you didn't sign a lease, but did fill out an application, its possible the terms of the application paperwork says something about this. If you think you got ripped off, consult an attorney and/or hang your head in shame for giving the complex money before you actually signed a lease.

Answer 3

They can't ask for a deposit with application. Contact the housing authority, they are far from being in the right.

Answer 4

well essentially they would have taken a unit off the market and lost money on it while holding it for you. On any of the paperwork or reciept did it say anything to the effect of "deposit non refundable after 48 hours" or whatever? how long did you wait to notify them you decided not to take it?

Answer 5

read the application

Answer 6

They can keep it if you signed anything stating that it was non-refundable.

Answer 7

no way! they cant keep it.....get it back!