Is rent due date based on the start date of a lease?

[Vinson Lee]

Hi I was wondering what some of you do in terms of setting a rent due date.  I mean, I have a lease that is going to start on the 14th of March.  It is a 12 month lease.  I was thinking of having the tenant pay me the prorated amount for 3/1-3/31.  then starting on 4/1 they would pay me the full monthly amount.  Am I being too complex or should I just make rent due based on the start of the lease and have them pay me the full monthly rent on the 14th of every month.  Part of me just likes collecting rent on the first of the month, but the other part of me says maybe im just making things more complex.

[Kelly N.]

Hi,

I like all my rent due at the same time (due on the 1st, late on the 6th).  In most cases they don't start their lease on the first, so I prorate the SECOND month based on first month's occupancy days.  That way, I am collecting more at move in just in case they turn out to be flakes.  I haven't had a problem yet but I have only been a landlord for 2 years.

Kelly