Tenants requesting advanced rent returned

[Tom C]

Just wondering what everyone's opinion on this is. I have a mom and daughter who usually pay rent 6 months in advance, due to the fact they cannot control their spending. Well they called this morning and they have had car trouble and would like Jan's rent back. Of course I told them I would do it, but I can really see a real downside to this also by allowing them to do it. I have no idea what the laws are in regards to something like this since we have a month to month lease.

Any opinions?

[Account Closed]

There are lots of reasons to not accept pre-paid rent, but I have to admit, that's a new one to me.

The rent isn't really your money until it's due. You are just holding it for them. You don't really have any other option than to give it back.

Make sure that they sign something that very clearly says the money has been returned to them, and give the date when they must come up with rent money. Believe me, they are tenants, they paid the rent through Jan, and even if you gave money back, in their little tenant heads, they are still paid through Jan.

I think this is the end of your tenancy. They pre-pay so they can't spend the money and not have rent. But now they have just discovered they can tap the money that is set aside. There is nowhere to go but down hill from here.