What to do when a person you are going to rent from takes your money and then rents to someone else?

Get Legal Help Today

Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save

secured lock Secured with SHA-256 Encryption

What to do when a person you are going to rent from takes your money and then rents to someone else?

We talked to a lady 3 months ago about renting a place from her. She asked for $950 deposit last month and we gave it to her. A week or so later she asked if we could pay half this month’s rent because we moving in mid to late month – $338. We agreed to pay, but then about a week after that she asked if we were going to pay this month’s by the first. We said yes we would pay the other half. She said no that’s not what she meant; she needs the whole $675 for this month. I said that’s not what we agreed on. So I tried calling, texting but no answer. She said she was keeping my money and re-rent.

Asked on July 21, 2011 Texas

Answers:

FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 12 years ago | Contributor

Do you have a written agreement with the landlord about what you were to rent and when payments were to be made? If so, carefully read the document in thta it sets forth your and the landlord's obligations to each other.

Did you pay the money to the landlord in cash or by check? Hopefully by check so you will have canceled documents showing payment and deposit to the landlord for a unit you have not received possession of.

If you have not moved into the property and the landlord has told you that she was renting it to someone else and is keepng your money without any explanation, it seems that she has to return what you paid.

Write her a letter for the money's return by a certain date. If not received by then, go down to the small claims advisor in the county court that you have and be ready to file a small claims action for the return of your money.

Good luck.


IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.

Get Legal Help Today

Find the right lawyer for your legal issue.

secured lock Secured with SHA-256 Encryption