I signed a lease and got laid off the day I was due to move in?

Question

I signed a lease yesterday and got laid off this morning. I told the landlord that I did not feel comfortable moving while unemployed. Can the landlord keep my deposit?

Answer 1

Yes, but you approached it wrong.

You should have told him the situation and asked him very, very nicely that since the lease was less than 24 hours old, if he would consider terminating it.

He can keep your deposit if he wants to.

Answer 2

Yes, they can keep your deposit, because they kept the unit off the market for you.  If they are NICE folks, they might give it back, knowing what happened to you.

Answer 3

Yep.  

Answer 4

Yes he can keep your deposit.  He can also hold you liable for the duration of the lease or until a new tenant is found.

Answer 5

Probably.  Run a search for renter's advocacy groups in your area.  They usually give free advice about this kind of stuff.