Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in Missouri

I was going to rent a property through a private owner in st.louis, MO I gave the lady $200 as my deposit on 8-27-09 and was scheduled to move in on 9-10-09 some things came up and I was not able to move anymore I kept in contact with her and explained to her the situation and she said ok and that she understood. When I asked for my money back she told me no because she had held the place for me, the property had been on the market for 78 days exactly when I contacted her and I had never signed any paperwork stating that my deposit was non-refundable nor did she ever state to me that it was, she said that it was my responsibility to ask if it was refundable or not. What are my legal options


Asked on 9/16/09, 11:12 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Anthony Smith LawSmith

you seem to have a great case for small claims court. File suit, an dgo tell the judge your side of the story, and show your documents, (cancelled check, letters, emails, etc) and the other side will tell their version of the events. Whoever the judge believes more will prevail. Generally, a security depost is refundable, minus the cost of damages done to the property. If she held the property for you (told others willing ot rent it, that is no longer available) you may owe some damges to her. Under teh facts you described, that did not happen in this case.

Good luck

Read more
Answered on 9/16/09, 4:39 pm


Related Questions & Answers

More Landlord & Tenants questions and answers in Missouri