Hi there. I just encountered this issue with my landlord. I have informed my landlord that the house condition is not suitable for staying anymore due to water leakage in between cement/ walls and water has already filled the underground (able to see water stain on the floor). Hence we proposed to move out earlier than the agreed date stated in the tenancy agreement due to this unforeseen circumstances. We were then told to find new tenants to "replace" us. We did as what we were told. Several people have contacted us saying they are interested to rent. So we informed the landlord about this. He then said that he will need to filter the new tenants whom he preferred either from the first world country or only Chinese female will be put under his considerations of new tenants. In addition, he refuses to refund the security deposit worth a total of RM 3000.00 to us claiming that we are the one who breach the tenancy agreement first for not staying to the agreed full period. Problem is the house condition is getting worse as we can see the paint started to peel off and scatter on the ground and molds started to grow on the wall. It is not that we want  to move out earlier but it is because the house condition doesn't allow us to stay in there anymore. My sister has got her eczema getting worse due to the damp. We have shown the landlord but still he insisted not to refund the deposit since we would want to move out earlier and he insisted that the eczema is not due to his house condition. Please really need your help and advise here. Thank you so much...

1. Is there any tenancy agreement signed between both?
2. the landlord cannot withhold your deposit. If not, threaten to sue him/her for breach of agreement.