I went to see an apartment that I loved. I gave the owner a check for $1,100. for a downpayment to hold the apartment. He told me he will not be showing the apartment anymore, they just had to check my credit. My credit check was very ggod 763. The owner told me to pay the rale estate agent beforer I sign the lease. I paid the real estate agent $1,100 cash. The next day I was going to sign the lease when the owner called me and said they found someone else that wanted the apartment with better credit then mine 801. This does not seem right to me. I made arrangement to move at the 1st of the month and notified my current landlord that I will be moving. Can they get away with this? Is it legal to do this to me? Any advice will help me . Thank you

If they didn't sign the lease and give you your copy than yes they can. They never entered into a binding agreement with you. Your only recourse would be if you payed with check and wrote deposit on it and they endorsed it and cashed it because then you would have signed proof of an agreement.

Yes I hate to say,but it's was legal ..and yes..he could do that.Why..well..#1 You had nothing in written,Nothing is legal until it's in written.Sorry, but anybody can make you a promise,does'nt mean they will keep. It could have been worse,they could have took your money.

Did you get your money back?? I hope so. The agent probably found something else that indicated you were a risk. It wasn't nice, but it is legal. The LL can chose whoever he/she wants. Although credit isn't always the thing that determines whether or not you get an apartment, this LL found it more impt. than anything else....unless the LL lied. You should have paid and signed the lease the same day. If they kept your money that is rediculous and you need to go to court to get it back. You should never do anything until you have it in writing. It wasn't in writing and you went ahead and gave your notice at the other apartment. Not sure why the LL did this unless he/she still has your money.

Send me $1,100 and I'll tell you. You've just learned a hard lesson. Is it right? No! Have they likely played this game successfully for years and cheated many others out of money? Yes! Always remember one thing if nothing else.....if it ain't on paper, it don't exist. Never give a dime of money to anyone without a receipt (except me of course). It probably isn't even worth visiting with an attorney about. Hate to say it, but it's a lesson learned.