After a few years, he entered into a "option to buy" arrangement where the tenant would "float" an interest free loan as a "good faith" deposit to be in a "right of first refusal" to purchase the home from my friend (notarized and everything) in the near future.

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.

Somehow this month's rent first got deposited into our account and three days later it got pulled out.

They made the deposit to the courts so now we will wait for our court date.

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.

Call it an eviction deposit or just add it to the security deposit depending on Baltimore and Maryland property code.

There was also an issue with security deposits and I believe he said it's better not to accept them because of the way the laws are.

Is it possible to have any additional, unqualified applicants sign a lease and collect a months rent and security deposit from each additional person?  

Can I keep her deposit?

@Sam Adcock  Agree with above posts, I open an account at a local bank near the place, and have the tenants deposit it directly.