Last month rent and security deposit cash or check?

[Ravi Rai]

Hi Guys,
Finally renting my property for the first time (had inherited the tenants when i bought the place) and wanted to know what you guys prefer for security deposit and last month's rent. I was thinking of taking the last month's rent as check and the security deposit as cash.

[Jon Holdman]

Cash or money order. Same for first month rent. A minimum of the deposit and one full months rent to move in. Pro rate the second month, not the first.