They know they can forfeit the application fee anytime before they sign the lease if they find a better place.With that said, at lease signing we only accept certified checks or money orders for the 1st month rent and security deposit.

I contested if they are in violation of their lease terms, that means they forfeit their deposit, especially since their actions are costing me money in the end.

You may have to forfeit a deposit or maybe even another month's rent but it will cost you less than 9 months rental payments.

here are some numbers to consider...our mortgage payoff is 155kour mother in law is our realtor, and she will forfeit her commission, but her broker will have a commission, correct?

You could walk away for $500, because the way the P&S is written (again, at least here in MA) is that the sole remedy for buyer default is to forfeit whatever deposits were made.Now the seller's property is stigmatized. 

If you pay off within first six months after the last loan closed, this person forfeits all commissions and cost that were covered.As it pertains to a retail bank and servicer, there is probably overhead and costs that go into honoring a loan at a certain percent over time when borrowing costs change for them and also personnel costs.

Deposits are put down to ensure performance, so, depending on what the language of the lease is, their deposit may be forfeit if they're breaking before the end of term.

@Anastasia Jordan You can look here and find things that are available http://www.sos.ms.gov/Public-Lands/Pages/Tax-Forfe...As over the counter forfeited lands. 

</p><p>(b) A landlord who in bad faith does not provide a written description and itemized list of damages and charges in violation of this subchapter:</p><p>(1) forfeits the right to withhold any portion of the security deposit or to bring suit against the tenant for damages to the premises; and</p><p>(2) is liable for the tenant's reasonable attorney's fees in a suit to recover the deposit.

On your deposit receipt, add language to the effect, that if the tenant decides not to move into the property, they will forfeit 1/2 of the move-in monies.