tenant asked to move in some furniture

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tenant asked to move in some furniture

Luiza Boryachinskiy
Investor · Ellicott City, MD · Member since 2017 · 6 posts · 0 votes

Hello everyone. One of my future tenants, who has already submit a partial security deposit, asked me if he can move a couch in the rental property 2 weeks before signing a lease. What are your thoughts? Should I allow that? Any advice is greatly appreciated. 

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Greg M.
Rental Property Investor · Los Angeles, CA · Member since 2017 · 2k+ posts · 5k+ votes
7y

Hell no! It's a scam. 

He can move it in when he has paid the entire deposit and first months rent and the lease is fully executed. And he doesn't get the key until move in day.

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  • Greg M.
    Rental Property Investor · Los Angeles, CA · Member since 2017 · 2k+ posts · 5k+ votes
    7y

    Hell no! It's a scam. 

    He can move it in when he has paid the entire deposit and first months rent and the lease is fully executed. And he doesn't get the key until move in day.

    4Reply
  • Luiza Boryachinskiy
    OP
    Investor · Ellicott City, MD · Member since 2017 · 6 posts · 0 votes
    7y

    Greg, the tenant is not asking for the keys before the lease signing. He has just purchased a new couch for the rental property, and he wanted to store it in the property 2 weeks prior to lease signing.

    Thank you for your advice.

    0Reply
  • Jim K.
    Handyman · Pittsburgh, PA · Member since 2018 · 5k+ posts · 13k+ votes
    7y

    @Luiza Boryachinskiy

    This situation has the capacity to add problems to your life if you let it happen. Should you choose to do so anyway, you should be ready to deal with the possible consequences. On the other hand, if you say no now, you're most likely saying no to what the tenant thinks is an eminently reasonable request.

    I wouldn't do it. Better to be feared than liked. It's your policy not to do it -- that's what the scam artist doesn't want to hear but the guy just looking for a break won't like but will accept anyway. Suggest he buys a month's storage at a storage place.

    0Reply
  • Mike McCarthy
    Investor · Philadelphia, PA · Member since 2016 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    7y

    @Luiza Boryachinskiy I think it depends on both the tenant and the class of housing. If an A/B kind of house, I’d give some leeway. I’ve had tenants sign a limited liability doc, basically saying that they can move stuff in but the landlord takes no responsibility. (Assuming house is empty and you are not giving them the keys - just meeting them to love a few things in.

    If a C/D kind of house, I’d probably say no, too many things to go awry.

    3Reply
  • Chris Szepessy
    Catskill, NY · Member since 2018 · 636 posts · 668 votes
    7y

    I like @Mike McCarthy answer. If he isn't asking for keys and it's just a matter of storing it there, I really see no issue. 

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  • Robert Biggerstaff
    Contractor · Pensacola, FL · Member since 2018 · 303 posts · 240 votes
    7y

    Do not ever let them move any property in until you have all the money in your hand

    0Reply
  • Matt K.
    Walnut Creek, CA · Member since 2015 · 3k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    7y

    wouldn't buying new furniture before paying the security deposit be a red flag to you....

    not that the person(s) doesn't have the money to pay rents, rather they obviously don't view it as the priority. Depending on who you're dealing with this can be extremely difficult to recover from....

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  • John UnderwoodPro Member
    Investor · Greer, SC · Member since 2014 · 13k+ posts · 17k+ votes
    7y

    I would allow him to store it there if house is vacant. Just don't execute the lease until all move in money is paid in full and don't give him keys until move in day.

    Worst case you have to meet him over there so he can move his couch back out.

    0Reply
  • Luiza Boryachinskiy
    OP
    Investor · Ellicott City, MD · Member since 2017 · 6 posts · 0 votes
    7y

    Thank you everyone for your advises.

    0Reply
  • Nathan GesnerBusiness Member
    Moderator
    Real Estate Broker · Cody, WY · Member since 2010 · 28k+ posts · 41k+ votes
    7y

    Nope! Once they move one item in, they are officially tenants and have all the legal rights of a tenant.

    You're running a residential rental, not a storage unit.

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