I signed a lease but the landlord is still "making his decision" (leases)

[Starchild78]

I signed a lease but did not pay my deposit yet. I thought once you sign a lease the apt is yours now it's time to pay the deposit, get the keys, and start moving in. I thought the apt was mine when I signed the lease, but now I'm being told the landlord has other applications and is still making his decision. Has anyone heard of this happening before? Please feel free to email me at [email]lawrah78@gmail.com[/email] thank you for your help.

[jaymoney]

You signed it but did they sign it and did you get a copy?

A leas is simply an agreement and no agreement is valid until both parties have signed it and exchanged copies.

[bluewin888]

Lease can be valid only after all payments and deposit are paid.

[SonorityGenius]

Its valid when you get keys in your hands and paid a deposit; most standard leases have a possession clause like this so if no keys, no possession and you get deposit back and its void

[Atomicdoug]

This sounds strange to me. A landlord should accept applications, and possibly deposit money to hold your spot. Once they decide who they wish to rent to, then they should ask you to sign the lease. Sometimes they will give you the lease to review ahead of time.

If their agent hasn't signed the lease and given you a copy, then its not legally binding yet.

[Sergio M]

Like others said, unless both parties agreed and signed the lease, deposits accepted rent paid, and keys exchanged, you don't have a lease.