If I Haven't Signed a Lease, Can the Landlord Keep My Deposit

[Jedoman]

My question involves landlord-tenant law in the State of: Texas
I was approved to move into a rental house in Lubbock, Texas. The landlord asked for a deposit to hold the house. I have since been laid off and cannot afford the house. Since I have not signed a lease, I asked for my deposit to be returned. The landlord refused. Can the landlord actually keep all my deposit (one month's rent @ $1,300) and my pet deposit ($300)?

[jk]

was there anything in writing? If so, did it specify this as a holding deposit, a security deposit, simply "a deposit", or ???

were there any terms mentioned: not refundable, refundable under certain terms, ??

[Jedoman]

My question involves landlord-tenant law in the State of: Texas
I was approved to move into a rental house in Lubbock, Texas. The landlord asked for a deposit to hold the house. I have since been laid off and cannot afford the house. Since I have not signed a lease, I asked for my deposit to be returned. The landlord refused. Can the landlord actually keep all my deposit (one month's rent @ $1,300) and my pet deposit ($300)?

I signed nothing. The receipt I have states that it is a security deposit.

- - - Updated - - -

I did sign the application. It was just an application, not a lease. I was supposed to come in and sign a lease yesterday. That's when they told me that I would forfeit the deposit if I didn't sign the lease.

[jk]

If the receipt states it is a security deposit, then it has to be returned if there was no lease signed. If it was listed as a holding deposit, it would likely change the game.

[Jedoman]

Thanks for your help!