Is this legal for my former landlord to do? (apartment, lease)

[glittergrl72]

I recently moved out of an apartment I had lived in for 5 years. My lease ended on 7/31/12. I gave my full 60 day notice as of 5/30/12. However, my new lease started on 7/1/12 so I knew that I wouldn't need this apartment for the full month of July. I asked my landlord if he thought he'd be able to re-rent the apartment mid month. He said yes. So I then decided to schedule my moving day for the 9th of July so that they would have ample time to paint and whatever they needed to do so the new tenant would be able to move in on 7/15. The move went well and when I turned my keys in he said everything looked good and I would get my full security deposit back in 21 days, including 1/2 my rent for July. So, it's been over 21 days and I called him and he said he had bad news, that the potential new tenant had been approved and signed off and gave a $400 to move in, but then kept changing the dates to the 18th, then the 21st and then just never came and never called back. He said they are keeping her $400.00. And that now the 21 days isn't starting until 8/1/12. So that means I won't get my security deposit back until August 21st. And they aren't giving me half my rent or the $400.00 they kept from her.

I don't think it's legal for them to keep my $1005.00 rent for the month of July and keep this other lady's $400.00, when it was evident that she wasn't going to move in in ample time to rent for August 1st. That is double dipping and I think at the very least I should get the $400.00 they kept from her.

Anyone know for certain if they are breaking the law?

[ManBearPig1]

HOME Line — A nonprofit Minnesota statewide tenant advocacy organization

I'd give them a call.

[nrogers1122]

Yeah - City-Data.com is not the place to seek legal advice.