Tenants wanting keys day before lease start
Tenant requested that they receive keys 5pm the day before the official lease start date. They wanted to move in and get a head start moving on Friday 5pm, since the actual lease start date is a Saturday. I would be open to it, but want to make sure there won't be any liability problems. The renters insurance would begin on the day of move-in i.e. Saturday, should I ask the renters insurance to take effect on Friday instead of Saturday?
How do you normally get the 1st month rent on the day of move-in? Can I ask the rent to be deposited in the bank account on Friday so that it's deposited before I give them the keys instead of getting a check from them?
Most Popular Reply
I have no problem giving the keys a day or two before the lease start date, provided the utilities are transferred to the tenant's name as of the day they get the keys. If it is more than a day or two I usually prorate. Giving them the keys 5 pm on Friday would not really cost you anything, but it will help your tenants and create goodwill.
As for move-in money - I must have 1st month and security deposit in good funds (cash, cashier's check, venmo/cash app/zelle) before I give the keys. I do not accept personal checks at move-in, learned that lesson the hard way... Asking them to deposit it to your bank account on Friday comes with the risk that they may deposit a personal check made out to you that later bounces.