INDIANAPOLIS — A woman was supposed to move into an apartment complex in April. Due to changing circumstances, she asked to push back her move-in date, but the company 'Indy Town Apartment' told her she couldn't.
Instead, the company kept her security deposit.
"How is it that you can keep my deposit? Deitra Northington, who wants her deposit back, said. "I understand a $25 application fee, the $250 holding fee, but the $449; I don't see that happening."
Northington realized she wasn't able to pay the first month's rent that was due April 1st, and asked to change her move-in date to two weeks later. She was told that wasn't possible and figured she needed to start looking for another place to live.
According to Northington, the company told her they would return her deposit in 21 to 30 business days. But, it's been over a month and a half, and she still doesn't have her money back.
"That tenant should be able to get the security deposit back if they haven't signed a lease, or if they don't have something that looks like a lease," An Indianapolis attorney, JT Funk, said. "And if the landlord is refusing to give that security deposit back, then I would definitely talk to an attorney."
"Often times, tenants are just simply taking advantage of," Funk said. "And landlords know that these people a, need a place to live and b, are scrambling to find other housing."
At first, "Indy Town" told RTV6 they would never keep a prospective tenant's security deposit, but after checking, it appears they did.
They are now going to refund this tenant her money.
