Applicant requesting to pay year in advance, from out of country

[Michael Gallagher]

Hi, I have a request from an applicant who is new to the US to pay 1 year in advance (plus security deposit) due to no credit/pay history since moving here. The applicants cousin (lives local and is local realtor) has offered to co-sign on the lease given the circumstances and was totally upfront with the applicants situation. The applicant is early twenties and has a supposed cash job from another family member. My gut is telling me to move on but was wondering if anyone else has had any experience with this type of scenario.  I don't particularly like the paid in full aspect, it was offered in the past and I always turned it down.  The co-signer aspect is different than my previous paid in full offers.  Thanks in advance for your guidance.

Michael