6.We don’t allow pets, do you have any?

I have found templates for our lease agreement, pet addendum and a move out cleaning addendum. 

Here is the ONLY way I would hold it...If you do not have any other good applicants that can take the unit sooner, I would take a non-refundable binder payment equal to one-month's rent NOW, then all of the move-in fees (first/last/security/pet fees) when you sign the lease for October 1st, which should be within a week. 

(again expensive as pets and multiple people/rooms involved)  Do you ask them to file a claim on their rental insurance for meals/stay?

@Joe VilleneuveLove the idea, was thinking of doing something similar as a fun pet project.

Think of all the things that could go wrong and see if the lease addresses them: unauthorized pets or tenants, early termination, security deposit, lease violations, late rent, eviction, lawn maintenance, parking, etc.5.

I do this with pets, rent due dates and penalties, etc.  

Buy some snap traps, bait them and put them in areas inaccessible to children/pets. 

I personally don't at all like the idea of tenants wearing down the nice new hardwood floors of a new construction home, especially kids and pets doing so.

Think of all the things that could go wrong and see if the lease addresses them: unauthorized pets or tenants, early termination, security deposit, lease violations, late rent, eviction, lawn maintenance, parking, etc.5.