If I give a landlord a reservation fee prior to taking occupancy then decide not to rent that property. Do I get the money back?

It depends upon your agreement. If he kept the place off the market, probbly not.

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Depends what your agreement says, did you have one? Did you sign it? If so, it governs your tenancy and you need to read it carefully or hire a lawyer to do it.

If you were offered one but didn't sign yet, maybe you have an out that way.

I agree with my colleague that it may depend on how much time went by between your transmittal of the fee and you notifying the landlord you changed your mind and whether the landlord relied and changed his position, by not advertising or accepting another tenant.

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