Can I terminate a lease, If I do not accept security deposit

[Ervin Taylor]

I found a tenant for my single family home and everything was going smoothly. Once the lease was signed, there were a lot of problems that arose.  I did not accept security deposit or first months rent and told the tenant I will terminate the lease. He now is threatening me with law actions. I found this tenant through a real estate agent. I was told by other investors as long as no money was transferred, that this is legal. Please let me know your thoughts and I am open for questions. I know this is a legally binding contract because of all of the problems arose. I felt this would be a mistake on my part and the issues would only become greater.

[Chris K.]

This is definitely something to consult an attorney about asap and I know you've already been told but now you know never to sign a lease without getting the money up front. I don't know who you use to process your rent payments but they have to show up to lease signing with a voided check and have to sign the electronic rent payment agreement right there. 

I don't suggest you do this at all cause it could get you in trouble but if this happened to me and they haven't moved in yet I would be on my way to that house right now to change the locks. They sound like nothing but trouble.