You can compare your rental to the ones on the list (based on sqft, bedrooms, bathrooms, amenities) The process for me in LA is, I list the property at max rent, tenant sees and likes it, I approve the tenant, inspector comes out and tells me what I have to fix prior to move in, advisor/counselor tells me my unit does not qualify for max rent and offers me less, if I agree to lower rent, I get all the approval paperwork and tenant pays security deposit and moves in (takes 2 months) In $$, I have a sec 8 tenant in LA and the maximum that sec 8 will pay this year is $1,450, market is $1,500, and I only get $1,100.

His inability to give me the key is going to force me to rent a box from the usps.I am just wondering if, when the lease runs out and I leave, this is something I can tack on should I decide to take him to small claims court (I'm already expecting to not get my deposit back even though the place will be better after I leave than when I arrived).

Let them know that if want to buy a property they will have to put down at least $500 in earnest money as a deposit and will need to sign an offer contract on it.Processing The Buyers’ ApplicationEven though you will have already asked for this info during the personal interview, nothing is official until you get it in writing from the buyer.

Once they sign the lease and pay the 1st month's rent and security deposit, they get the keys.

Better to just return the deposit.

Do not take it out of their deposit.

Kaleb Carsten , if you haven't gone to settlement yet ask the seller for a written original lease plus security deposit and any rent due for that month.

@Mike Cumbie great point about earnest money deposit; a high deposit means the buyer is somewhat serious (especially with no inspection or appraisal contingencies).I just offered $90k cash, no contingencies on this gut job (feel free to bid).

In theory, all the Private Funding Source would have to do is deposit checks until I purchased the building four years down the road.

I just asked for Dec rent ($1200) + Nov prorated portion ($120 for 3 days) up front along with security deposit.