Accept Rental Unit Deposit Anonomously

[Aaron Linden]

Hey BP,

I am ready to accept my first tenants in my first SFR! I would like to remain the 'Property Manager' and not the 'Owner' in the eyes of my tenants. I have not yet set up an LLC and I would like them to put a deposit on the home in order for me to take if off of the market and prior to lease signing( I plan to apply this deposit to their first month's rent). In this situation, is there a way to accept this deposit without them realizing the owner is me? If a PM asked me to make a check out to them I would think it is pretty shady.

Note: My plan is to set up electronic rent payments through rentpayment.com so I think this should allow me to remain anonymous from that perspective.

Thanks in advance!

[Thomas S.]

I would own up to the fact that you are the owner and start with a mutual level of respect. I would never accept a tenant that lied and would not rent from a landlord that lied.

Do not start in the business with dishonesty, tell your tenants you are the owner/landlord.