For background check fees, I will take cash, check, money order or payment via IPN*.For balances due prior to moving in (first month's rent and deposit) I will take all of the above, however the check must clear the bank prior to me handing over the keys. 

What ever software you select, make sure you can get a Balance Sheet for a business as a whole and by each Property. 

SO... several months after his BK, the HOA from his former residence that went to foreclosure sent him over a notice they were going to sue him for the outstanding balance, he sent that to the attorney and had it included in his earlier filed BK.

Maintaining good relationships with a handful of contractors and using technology like digital answering services (Google Voice), rent collection web sites, etc give us the right balance of knowing what is happening to our properties but minimizing the disruption to all of our full-time jobs.For us, there are two critical periods: one is during the renovation phase, especially if tenants are in the property.

I have no idea what the regulations are in FL.I don't manage residential but I have friends that do and they tell me they have charged renters 2+ months of rent as a SD due to a BK or foreclosure, and most if not all the renters have agreed (YMMV).On the commercial (retail) side, I've collected much more than that in the past due to spotty history, a weak balance sheet and/or lack of experience.Victor

Even on their end there must be checks and balances in place to make sure that 1) the person collecting the $ is not pocketing any of it and 2) the amount collected is the same amount credited to the users.

As for the overage, what if I did not pay the first off, and it went to auction and sold for more than the balance on the first (almost guaranteed).

I belive they are pretty well balanced.

I hired the work to be completed within that same week and then I sent a roll-up of expenses to the previous tenant along with the security deposit balance.

Among the most pivotal data presentations are the complete rent roll (tenant name, date due, rent amount, last payment, total unpaid balance, etc).