I had a new tenant give me deposit.

Make sure to address the security deposit transfer. 

If you do accept the applicant, I would certainly charge pet rent as well as a pet deposit that will hopefully cover the damage.

If I take your option do I have to give deposit and first months rent back immediately or can I hold everything until they get all their crap out of the place?

Needless to say, I messed a lot of things up.Some things I know for next time:-make sure to include security deposits credit and prorated rent credit in the purchase contract-make sure to keep all addendums that may be needed saved on computer for quick access-get all the necessary documentation for rehab funding from the contractor before going into contract on the property (my lender needed his insurance, workers comp, experience, etc. and I was not able to get rehab funded in the loan because the contractor would not send this to me and it was too late for me to find another contractor)-check that title has gotten the documents correct before they are sent over to the seller-take pictures of the house during the walkthrough for insurance purposes-check for flood zone early on -give yourself a realistic timeline for closing-check reviews on title company before choosing oneDoes anyone else have any recommendations? 

The renters  really don't want to pay two deposits for utilities.

Just because they can't file bankruptcy for a long time doesn't mean they are going to pay all their bills and live responsibly.I will accept a discharged bankruptcy after they've show two years of responsibility AND if they pay a significantly higher deposit.

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.

The problem is because so many people involved in these transactions are taking shortcuts there are a ton of issues that i've seen from people disappearing with buyers deposits to people trying to sell wholesale "deals" that they pull off of Zillow (after adding a $10k fee of course).

She says that she will pay all 6 months of rent and deposit at the signing of lease.