Applicant: "Can you work with me on (the 1st month rent/the deposit)?"

Me: "No, we already have contractors." or just "No".

No. I actually have it in my ads and when I discuss about the apartment "first and security are due at lease signing/move-in. No exceptions".

Upfront I spell our move in requirements as first months rent and from one to two months security deposit depending on credit information verified . I am a housing provider not a bank.

So Mr/Mrs applicant, it sounds like you are qualified on my end but do not have all the money required to move in. We have found that people that find themselves in this position at move in tend to have this problem even after they move in too.

Can I pay bi-monthly?

Sure.

So I can pay half on the first and half on the fifteenth?

Applicant: "Can you work with me on (the 1st month rent/the deposit)?"

Me: Yes, if you are approved for the property, our lease offers qualified residents two options for "Move-in payment requirements".

A. Pay the 1st month's rent and deposit at time of move in,

OR

B. Increase the monthly rent going forward by 10% and pay that amount, and we will reduce the required security deposit by half.

Jeffrey,

Jeffrey, If someone chooses to add 10% onto the rent each month, once the security deposit is brought up to the original requirement (not half sec deposit) does the tenant have the option to discontinue the monthly 10% add to rent?

Can I pay bi-monthly?

Yes! Smart budgeting idea. We only charge an extra $20/month for our bi-monthly payment plan which is much cheaper than a $50 late fee and doesn't reflect on on your rental reference. That means you're only paying $10 more with each rent payment and getting a lot more flexibility budgeting for your bills.

Now, that said, I prefer to be paid in full at the first of the month, but if someone wants to pay an extra $240/year in rent with few late pays and communicates well, I'll make the offer. It's not mentioned in the lease or advertised, but for a lot of residents this option is a lifesaver. I've had people on the bi-monthly payment plan for over 6 years. Made nice money from it. I know a lot of landlords really promote the bi-monthly option and offer it upfront, but I prefer folks who can afford to pay in full on the 1st and keep it as an option for those who ask.

Can you work with me on the 1st months rent and deposit?

We understand moving is expensive and can be stressful. You need to be sure you can afford the payments required on move in day or your stress becomes our stress. If you can't afford to move right now, we suggest you keep saving and reach out again when you're ready.

I flat out say no. Just the fact that they are asking means they have finance issues. If they are not afraid to ask a question like that then you have to not be afraid to say “no”.

Never ever...... Peter NH thinking is our policy and WHY.

If they can't come up with rent and dep-- sorry but it's just a tenant waiting to have OTHER issues.

I still have one tenant who pays weekly. Been with me around six years.

Every tax time I explain that if she pays monthly she will save money as I don't give discounts for more work.

Every year she has a new excuse on why she will stay weekly.

2 x I gave in and helped with a deposit or with the water bill, and I lived to regret it. Whenever I have helped out, even a long termed tenant, I got a kick you know where. No, it has to be kept "Strickly Business". Say you will think about their request, and move on to the next applicant or subject.

I've added a question to my Preview Questions: "Are you able to pay the full deposit (2x the rent) at lease signing?"

Regarding the 10% increase in rent with 50% security deposit. When are you requiring the 50% security deposit be paid? I am assuming upfront with 1st months rent? So once they jump that hurdle, how do you handle the "smart" tenant who after 5 or 6 months decides now his security deposit is caught up and paid then decides to pay what was planned originally as rent? Even if the contract states or shows the 10% increased rent as the rent. This now becomes the same problem as my next issue.

Now the partial payor question.... As a rule I do not do these plans and haven't for years. Our experience has been this is a short-term solution to an eventual long-term migraine. BTW, I have been in this for 30 plus years, so I pass this info on, to help, not hurt.

Every tenant that we have allowed to pay weekly, bi-weekly, or bi-monthly eventually will not or cannot pay the "fee" or additional cost. At first, its "your so awesome for helping Me, I love you", which all of a sudden becomes "You are a thief and ripping me off, this is illegal, pos etc etc." We put the plans on paper, went through it with them so they understand, provide them a calendar going forward, even envelopes back in the day, typically to lease end, and have them sign the plan. So after the work setting them all up, a few payments go great, all in the world is wonderful. All of a sudden, they decide they are not paying that fee, which leads to us charging late fees because now its due on the first. This goes around and around between staff and back and forth on how they feel like paying from month to month. Might get the fee from time to time, other times they have no funds etc. and other times they pay on the 5th.(On-time for them)I could add commentary, but its humor at most of ours expense)(Deemed unnecessary by a couple as well)

It would be nice to be able to say no to some tenants BUT Washington State has a law that I MUST provide up to 6 months for them to pay the security deposit and cannot charge more than 1 months rent for security deposit and non-refundable fees.