Refused Return of Deposti

[percias]

What is the name of your state? Iowa

I am curious if I have any grounds for legal action dealing with the following situation...

we were renting a place. we signed a 6 month lease expressed we didn't want to go that long, but they would not let us have the property unless we did.
We ended up giving a notice to them that we would be moving out and could they please begin to try to find someone to rent the property. At no time did we tell them we were leaving and weren't paying..
They found renters who started renting at the end of what would have been our 5th month. We paid our 5th month in full and recieved a check for the two days that the other person were in. The included a sentance that stated because we did not in good faith perform on the 6 months that we then forfeit our deposit. Yes there was a clause in there about that, but I wouldn't think that leagaly they could rent it and keep our deposit. Is there anything that can be done for me?

Thanks for any input.

Jeffrey

[HomeGuru]

Originally Posted by percias

What is the name of your state? Iowa

I am curious if I have any grounds for legal action dealing with the following situation...

we were renting a place. we signed a 6 month lease expressed we didn't want to go that long, but they would not let us have the property unless we did.
We ended up giving a notice to them that we would be moving out and could they please begin to try to find someone to rent the property. At no time did we tell them we were leaving and weren't paying..
They found renters who started renting at the end of what would have been our 5th month. We paid our 5th month in full and recieved a check for the two days that the other person were in. The included a sentance that stated because we did not in good faith perform on the 6 months that we then forfeit our deposit. Yes there was a clause in there about that, but I wouldn't think that leagaly they could rent it and keep our deposit. Is there anything that can be done for me?

Thanks for any input.

Jeffrey

**A: after you read the L/T law post back.

[percias]

HomeGuru.. Are you speaking of the Landlord Tenant Law for my state?

[Sam111]

I assume HomeGuru is speaking of your state's landlord tenant law. Do a google search on it, but make sure it is up-to-date and from a reliable source. I found mine at [URL=http://www.hud.gov/]the HUD website[/URL] and selected my state.

Sam

[percias]

The only thing I find that they may try to argue is:

To remedy a tenant's default in the payment of rent or of other funds due to the landlord pursuant to the rental agreement.

This seems to be the only foothold they may have, however because they had the property rented prior to our last month, their are no damages to recover from.

Any other input from anyone?

Jeffrey