Owner not returning deposit amount
Hi,
My owner has given 1 month notice and asked us to vacate on 31st March I.e today. She’s settled in the US and her brother in Mumbai is looking after renting the house.
We made an advance payment (token amount) of Rs. 18000 on 2nd May. We had made the contract on 15th May but we had preinformed that we will be making the deposit payment after 25th only which was agreed mutually between me, the brother, and the broker. We made the payment of deposit on 26th when we received the keys. We were told not to take possession until we make deposit payment. So we asked to adjust the excess advance payment made in the rent of the next month for which the owners brother told us to collect the advance payment made when we vacate the flat.
In February when we were informed to vacate with 1 month notice we clearly told them to return 11 days rent paid in advance for which we were made to beg to come to a settlement. Which was clear cheating as we had all the evidence attached regarding moving into the house and collecting the keys.
The owner in US promised to make payment of the deposit amount and the advance payment to us when we vacate but now she’s saying that her brother is unwell and won’t be able to make it until next week. We have sent her a full video of the empty house but she’s refusing to give our money back saying till the house is fully checked personally she won’t give the money back.
Please tell us what is to be done.