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UHi everyone, I’m in a bit of a situation and could really use some advice.
A couple of days ago, I checked out a 1BHK flat through a broker. The total security deposit was ₹75,000, and we were asked to pay ₹20,000 upfront as part of it to “secure” the flat. The broker instructed us to hand the cash to the building’s security guard, which we did the day before yesterday. The next day, the owner sent me a WhatsApp message confirming, “Token amount is received.”
We were told this amount was part of the security deposit—not a separate, non-refundable token—and we’d receive an invoice, which we haven’t gotten yet. Due to unexpected financial issues, we’ve decided not to move forward with the apartment as it’s beyond our budget, and the broker couldn’t negotiate the rent down.
I reached out to the owner to request a refund since:
1. We were under the impression this was part of the security deposit, not a non-refundable token.
2. It’s only been two days since we made the payment.
3. We haven’t signed any rental agreement or paperwork.
4. We haven’t even moved in or occupied the flat.
However, the owner told me over the phone, “Token amount is non-refundable.” When I explained that we weren’t informed of this, he simply said to speak with the broker. The broker said they’d talk to the owner but haven’t gotten back to me.
I realize now that I should’ve been more cautious and not rushed into handing over money without proper documentation. But is there anything I can do to recover the ₹20,000?
Any advice on how to handle this, legally or otherwise, would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!
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