New apartment in a not so nice area?

Question

After two months and seeing 13 apartments, I found a duplex a few streets down from my current address. Its down a tree lined street with families in lower middle class neighborhood. The price is very affordable and has a bigger kitchen and offstreet parking (which is unheard of in my area) and is clean. I didnt feel unsafe when there. After viewing and talking to the landlord I put down a deposit. It was kind of a rushed thing since he said he was considering two other people but my credit was best, and after seeing dump after dump, i gave a deposit. My family members were upset that I did this, as they think the area isnt so great- about two streets down the area isnt so hot, not super high crime, but not the safest. I went last night and spoke to the neighbors who said aside from the ocassional bar fight down the street it is a safe place and everyone looks out for each other.

The landlord, a young guy starting out in the business told me up front that the deposit is non refundable

Answer 1

1st off...i'm not sure if your new landlord can hold on to your deposit if you haven't signed a lease (look into that if you decide not to move there, you might have to take him to small claims court)  

the street that i live on right now is nice but if you were to walk just a block away it gets rough.  be that as it may i have had no problems with my place.  crimes can happen in any surrounding so i think as long as you keep to yourself and are always aware of your environment you should be ok.    good luck

Answer 2

I think that you already know what you are going to do.  But i'll answer anyway. Don't stop payment on your check. That can get you in real trouble.

Deposits are always refundable in the eyes of the law unless they are clearly nonrefundable.  So you have learned a good lesson that you won't forget.  On any deposit, write "Fully refundable" on the front and at the top of the back.  If the other person says that is not ok, you are on notice that you better not rush your decision.

Right now you could flip a coin.  Maybe you will meet some friends at the new apartment that you keep for the next 20 years.  Maybe you will be beaten-up by the bar fighters.  No one knows the future.

But you should ask for the deposit and tell him that an expert said that it is refundable unless agreed otherwise by BOTH people.  If he fights you, walk away and lose your money.  

But it's the last time in your life that you will lose your money by mistake.  Promise yourself.