Getting Rent One Year In Advance

[Niles Crum]

I just rented a home to a tenant who did not quite meet my income requirements.  I expressed my concern to her and she said she had $20,000 in savings and could get me a letter from the state where she gets just under $3,000 per month in a pension.

I suggested to her that if she paid her rent a full year in advance I would lower the monthly rental fro $1,100 to $1,000 per month.  She attempted to get me to go down to $950 and take care of the lawn but I stood with my original offer.  

Do you think that is a good idea to give up that kind of income to get paid one year in advance?  No criminal record and a credit score of just under $700.  No prior landlord for a reference but came referred by a friend of mine.