Should tenant pay first before we send the signed lease?

[Vinh Nguyen]

Hi all!

I am new to this landlord thing. I am requesting the tenant to pay the first month rent, last month rent, and the security deposit. My question is do I request the tenant to pay the fees first before I send her the lease with my signature or vice versa? please advise.  

[Robert Johnson]

I wouldn't send out a lease with a signature. They could take that lease and sign it and show up and get a locksmith and move in. I've had people try all sorts of stunts over the years. I had this one potential tenant who went through a complicated process required by the HOA. After she was approved she showed up to move in. I had not provided her with a signed copy of the lease at that point. I take cash only for the first month and security deposit. Or a check 21 days in advance. She wanted the keys but said her mother was paying so I contacted the mother. The mother stated that since I had advertised on Craigslist there was some doubt as to whether I owned the unit or not. I asked her why she hadn't checked the property records but she stated that wasn't enough. She wanted me to let her daughter move in as a sign of good faith and I simply hung up at that point because she was obviously a scammer. The daughter then called me back and started screaming about me hanging up on her mother and I hung up on her also. Two weeks later I rented it to someone else who ended up staying for 3 years. Always get the funds up front. If they have a signing issue they can sign and overnight the docs at their expense. Without secured funds and especially now, you're screwed. Don't take a check without proper clearance times.