How Do We Cancel The Rental Agreement And Get Our Money Back?

Actually there should have been some clause regarding paying back of deposit money once you do not want the apartment due to certain conditions. However, since you agreed to rent the property based on its current condition, you are legally not eligible to get the rent and security back (if there is no clause in the agreement regarding this). I would recommend you to consult the landlord and tell him the whole thing. Negotiations might lead you to get your money back.

We filled out a rental application and sent it with a check that according to the agent "would help speed up the process because the seller would know that the offer was serious" Now we found a better apartment and since we had not heard from the agent we told him that we wanted to cancel the offer. Now he tells us that they will keep the check and divide it amongst the owner and the leasing agents. We were misled and now we may lose $1500. Is that legal or can we get a lawyer and appeal?

Your tennant screening fee is in the wind  Bye bye.  If you can them anything other than that, well, then that would considered towards a contractual obligation.  Keyword, CONTRACTUAL.  That should be the only reason they have money of your over the screening fee.  Are you contractually obligated?

Agreement is binding maybe talk to landlord or pray

Sample landlord notice terminating tenancy