My question involves landlord-tenant law in the State of: California
Hi I and my 2 other friends were looking for an apartment. I found one and talked to my friends on the phone, both of them agree to rent it with me (we been friends for years)
So I wrote a 1000 security Deposit on 01/23/2014 and was cashed on 01/28.
On the deposit doesn't say anything about if i don't rent the unit i will lose money. There is no application, no background check. All I did was write a check, a copy of driver licence and fill out a form has my name , basic information but no contract or no term, policy...
We and the landlord decided will sign a contract and move in on 02/07/2014
Then today both of them want to back off and not pick up the phone.
I have talked to the landlord and she said she will have to talk to the owner about the deposit and get back to me.
Also there was no verbal contract, I did not agree to anything. She just asked me the deposit and i gave it to her.
I know that there is a loss for the landlord too but I am a student and don't have much money. Also if there is a deduction from the deposit can i sue my friend if they dont want to share it with me. my friend did not sign any contract and also the deposit check is under my name.
We chat on facebook(in foreign language) and i still keep the conversation of my friends, I think i will sue my friend so they would learn a lesson.
Update:
I think if the landlord decide to deduct too much from the deposit I think i still gonna rent it and rent the 2 rooms out. But the landlord wouldn't want me to rent out the other 2 rooms. What is the best strategy should i take. thank you

