Advise needed: New tenant- continue or cancel due to COVID

[Aaron Turner]

My first tenant (first rental property) was set to move in May 1st. Due to COVID-19 she lost her job and for whatever reason she was not eligible for unemployment. 

She is requesting to move in June 1st instead of May 1st. We signed the lease for May 1st. I'm hesitant to allow June 1st because May 1st is already a push back (she was supposed to start April 15th but requested to push back). She paid her security deposit, but not first month rent(we agreed/in lease) to collect it before move-in/keys. 

She is scheduled to go back to work next Wednesday. I know that legally I can hold her to the lease May 1 lease and payments, but with everything that is going on I don't want to do that.

Should I cut ties with her and put the apartment back on the market and try for a new tenant (also difficult during this time)? Sign a new lease with her beginning June 1st? Or, keep current lease ("forgive") May rent and still end April 2021?

Any advice is appreciated!

Aaron

[Bjorn Ahlblad]

@Aaron Turner I would be very suspicious of someone getting laid off due to COVID and being ineligible for unemployment. What does she do for a living and have you seen any paystubs? If she has been working at any kind of a regular job she should have got a check for 1200 dollars plus unemployment. What are her current living circumstances? Except for the fact that she paid a security deposit she really has not earned any respect. Does she sound stable enough to you? I'd be inclined to give her back the security deposit and look for someone better. But you are there in the situation and know more than I do. All the best!