Discussed a 6-1 start date. Now tenant asked for 6-8 start

[Steve S.]

How would you handle?  The home will be vacated on 5/31. 

They haven't yet signed the lease but have passed background 

[Nathan Gesner]

my policy is that I will hold the unit vacant for one week before I start charging the tenant rent. That jives with what your tenant is wanting to do, so I would allow it. You need to ask yourself: would you rather hold it vacant for a week or risk losing a pre-qualified tenant and trying to find a new one that will occupy on the first.

Ideally, this is a discussion you have with them before they ever apply. Otherwise, you have to negotiate things on the fly.