All Forum Posts by: Jay S.

Thanks for the replies, everyone. Really appreciate the help.

Thank you, John. I reviewed the Florida statute but it still left me with more questions than answers.

The options are (1) keeping the money in an interest-bearing savings account (interest paid to tenant at the end of the lease) but then I'd need to get a 1099 for the tenant and it complicates things, or (2) keep it in a non-interest bearing account. 

So for the Florida folks here: does your bank offer a separate non-interest bearing account for tenant deposits? I know most checking accounts require a minimum balance or otherwise charge a monthly fee.

Hi all,

I just went into contract to purchase my first rental property. I'm getting everything set up in the 30 days I have prior to closing. I had a few questions:

1. Florida requires that tenant deposits are kept in separate bank accounts not co-mingled. What do you Florida landlords do? Do you just open savings accounts for each tenant and stick their deposits in those accounts? Or do banks have specific accounts for landlords?

2. What company do you use to do tenant background checks? Are you happy with the company?

3. Do you use specific income guidelines for your units? For example, when I was renting in a large building (owned by Gables or one of the other big guys) they required that I had verifiable proof of income that was a certain multiple of the yearly rent. 

4. I'd like to streamline my life and collect rent online, if possible. Does anyone use an online portal, and if so, which one? How has it worked out for you?

5. Any other general advice?

Thanks for the help! Here's to hoping this is the first of several properties.