Time between background check approval and move in date. How long to allow?

[Shane M]

Just curious as to how long you guys allow a soon to be tenant to wait before moving in once they've passed the background check?

Here's my situation: I showed my rental today to a couple who told me they wouldn't be able to move until Dec.1st when their lease was up. I told them rent would payment would have to begin in no less than 2 weeks from the time the background check was approved even if they're weren't ready to move in. Also, they'd have to provided the security deposit within 48 hours in order for me to hold the property. At what I'm asking for rent, a 2 week loss adds up $350.

How do you guys handle this? And do you have a hard and fast rule regarding the amount of time you'll hold the property until a tenant is ready? Do you decide case-by-case?

[J Scott]

For me, it depends on how much competition there is for the property and how badly I want that tenant...

For a property where I'm not getting a lot of interest and then a PERFECT tenant comes along, I'd be more willing to wait a month to allow them to move in.

Of course, get a contract signed immediately and get the security deposit when the contract is signed.