The "living rent free terminology" some times gets misused I think. 

The confusion was evident in the BP article I mentioned, and I've even spoken to insurance agents who mis-use the terms.  

Despite my lobbying misusing cap rates is still only a misdemeanor.  

The use or misuse of the BiggerPockets Marks or other trademarks, product names, company names, logos, service marks and/or trade dress or any other materials contained herein, except as permitted herein, is expressly prohibited.It would be safe to say no

. , the working class area that I currently live in was actually referred to as a "war zone" by a local investor on BP  -- which was patently ridiculous, but you can see how the term is misused (or at least is very broad in its meaning). 

They probably didn't get approved for a bank account.Bad credit, or ChexSystems (previous bad checking account misuse / mistakes).Some checking accounts require minimum deposits, monthly fees, etc.Some people don't trust banks.Other people don't know that some banks even offer free checking accounts.And, some people don't have any docs/ID to even get a checking account.Assuming they had decent credit and no ChexSystems or TeleCheck problems, a free no monthly fee checking account definitively makes sense.

Slate is porous and needs to be resealed to protect it from water damage, not to mention cleaning products a tenant is sure to use (or mis-use).

The term is one of those misused terms that came about because gurus needed something better than "unlicensed broker".

Paying $500 - $1,500 upfront is much better than misusing $5K+ post construction commencement...all about opportunity costs my friend.

Until then stop faulting the person who own's the stuff you're renting when you don't pay your rent,  or mis-use their stuff.