security deposit refund

[MikeC]

i was going to get a new apartment. i gave the landlord a security deposit but did not sign a lease. i decided not to take it after all the cleaning that needed to be done. all this happened within an hour. i was never given a key but he said just leave the door unlocked. he lives about 35 minutes away he would drop it off next time he was down in the area. i never moved in or had a key to the place am i allowed my security deposit back

 

[Attorney_Replogle]

I would say you are! All real estate transactions (leases, renting, purchases, sales) have to be in writing in order to be enforced. You never signed anything, thus the landlord's right to keep the security deposit is not enforceable.

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Mark B. Replogle