I had a tenant move in who agreed to pay for a year upfront because he had no credit score. He passed away two months into a 12-month lease, and now his brother is asking for a refund of the unused rent. I have no pro...

If other issues arise, them paying doesn't prohibit you from issuing lease violations or evicting if the issues aren't corrected, but you will have to refund them any moneys they prepaid and didn't use but that is common sense.

Depending on size of property, there may also be a delinquency report, general ledger, pre-paid rent/HOA dues, and variance report.

Also you need to check with your state on the amount -- most times people collect the security deposit as the same amount as the rent, but you can collect any amount up to your state's limit.Regarding the "last month's rent", if you collect it now and then the tenant stays a while and during that time, you raise the normal rent, if you don't collect extra for the pre-paid rent, many states won't allow you to collect it.I would recommend collecting first month's rent and a security deposit, and leaving the last month's rent out of it.

Buy a prepaid tracphone.

Make sure to account for closing costs and prepaids when saving and not just the down payment, you can talk about this more with your lender.

If the rental agreement is terminated under this section, the landlord shall return all prepaid rent and security deposits.

I use a short week to week lease.I collect 4 weeks first, last, and two weeks prepaid rent upon move in.

So, the borrower will come to the table with some money, such as: lender fees, 3 month's prepaid interest, closing fees, etc. 

Prepaid legal policy covered mine.