Gary, not only would you need lease terms, but the money for the agreed period (ie. 90 days), needs to be withheld from escrow at closing, along with a security deposit, and given to you at closing, period.

Can we up rent/deposit legally on those people?

Hopefully that's a lesson learned about not getting a security deposit from them.

I might work a deal with the brother for a moving truck and deposit on an apartment to get the heck out.

The 3rd party CPA could accept rent payments and make deposits for a very small fee, which would remove one of the opportunities for any misappropriation.I don't think you have found a smoking gun, but I do think that it would be wise to ask some questions and learn more about what is involved in what your cousin is doing.

He's willing to pay first and last month rent as well as a damage deposit equal to a months rent up front.

Do you pay your mortgage electronically from the account your renter deposits into?

Plus, we get larger sq ft and small fenced back yard for our dog (probably why our rent was so high -- we had to pay pet deposits and pet rent).

Should I remind tenants of their security deposit before they move out (either voluntary or eviction) so they leave place in good shape?

(They will get $5,000 deposit if we fail to close in 3 days.)