This is my first time posting so take it easy on me!  I've been getting really interested in real estate investing, in case my presence here didn't give it away, and I've been doing the typical newbie reading and fina...

Regardless of whatever you do with the security deposit, you do have to make sure that it is available to refund to the tenants upon completion of the leasing contract.I would tread lightly when it comes to security deposits though... as there are civil penalties (and potentially criminal) if you violate your fiduciary responsibilities.

Tenant screening is very important in this scenario - if the couple has stable jobs as well as good credit and no criminal background - those are all positive qualities!

@Salomon W.I do and recommend a very thorough screening including an application, credit check, criminal check and eviction check on everybody that will be living in the house and all persons, even the pet is named in my state compliant lease.

This will turn up traffic tickets, evictions, foreclosures, criminal cases for that county. 

I am reaching out to all local and out of state investors whom are looking to acquire property management services in the central Indianapolis area.We have 5+ years of experience finding, vetting and signing tenants, performing routine maintenance, scheduling contractors and service individuals, and doing routine bookkeeping and accounting.We use a thorough screening process to find the best tenants for the properties we manage including credit, eviction, employment and criminal background checks.

No Evictions in past 7 yrs.No Criminal RecordGood Landlord References. 

The license helps us know the correct person is authorizing us to run their credit, and comes in handy later if there is criminal activity on the property.We've had people who are hesitant to give us their SSN, they have been through identity theft.  

Portland is one of the least Landlord-friendly areas on the market, it's over-priced, crime is increasing, the city will treat criminals with kid gloves while ignoring law-abiding citizens that pay taxes, etc.

Almost always when the contracts are contested, it's a civil matter, not a criminal matter.