Q: I have recently moved out from a house and I’m having some problems with regards to receiving my deposit which I innitialy gave when I moved in. The situation is as follows: 14 days before the month could end I made my intention known to the landlord that I am looking to move out and 8 days before the month could end I confirmed that I’ll be moving out, however the landlord says that I gave a too short notice and she can’t return the deposit and I did not give much time for her to get another tenant and I did not give 1 months notice (keeping in mind that we have not renewed a lease). She will now only give me the deposit when she gets a new tenant. Please advice regarding the shar’ee point of view in this situation.
A: It is not right for her to hold back the deposit after you have left the house.
And Allah Ta’ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
Answered by:
Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)