Cross Country Move For Prospective Tenant- Holding Fee?

[Karly Wright]

Hey all!

I have a duplex in Oregon and I have a very well qualified prospective candidate I'd love to rent to who is interested. The problem is he isn't moving here (from the East coast) until the end of this month, we are open and ready to rent out our unit, which rents for $1,400. He is very interested and I know he wouldn't expect us to just take a month long hit on our finances to hold it for him. I've seen others require holding fee's and then just transfer that money to their security deposit but that doesn't help on the month of rent we'd be losing to hold it. Does anyone know if it's legal to charge a daily, non-refundable holding fee? Like half of what we'd get in rent or??? I know I could do the security deposit thing but I'm not loving that idea. Thanks in advance for any help!

[Lynn McGeein]

While I usually won't rent to anyone who hasn't physically viewed the property, if you're planning on renting to him, why don't you just let him know he'll need to take it now or within x days, signing lease, paying security and prorated rent for October, if he wants to lock it in.  Otherwise, you cannot hold the unit.  I've had tenants take a unit earlier than they preferred when I let them know that I give greater consideration to applicants willing to take possession within 7 days of unit being vacant.