When do you collect the deposit and 1st month rent?

[A W]

Hi,

I wonder when you collect the deposit and 1st month rent? Right after the lease is signed? or only before the rent is started?

what do you normally do?

Thanks.

[Michael Rossi]

Full deposit IN CASH if they want me to hold the rental (pending application, pending receipt of rent, etc). Full deposit and full rent IN CASH before we sign the lease and before they get the keys. If the dollar keeps falling apart, I might change that and only except gold or pre-1965 silver coins (half kidding).