tax question, starting to rent a property, depreciation

[Lynnette E.]

I have a property that is nearly ready to rent, but I am deciding if I should wait until in Jan. I will not collect enough rent to offset the depreciation this year, with only one month of rental income.  Two of my other rentals were completed this year and have only been rented a few months as well.  So, I will not have much income to off set the depreciation I already have this year.

I am thinking it may be better to not rent the property that is nearing completion this year and save the depreciation for  the year 2047 or so...

But I do not know if I have enough information to understand exactly when a property is considered as put into service.

If the lease is signed in Dec, but no rent is collected for Dec, would the property depreciation start with the  2019 taxes, or would it start in 2020 taxes since the rent is actually collected for Jan 2020?  Does it matter what month the rent is collected for or when you receive it, even if it is received in advance of occupancy?  Or is the put into service date based on when the property is ready to rent, even if it is not rented?

Please help me understand!