In interviewing and meeting with a prospective tenant, from whom I accepted a security deposit July 25, I find myself always standing up to his demands. I've prevailed, but it's occured to me once or twice to tell him I changed my mind about his renting from me and return his security deposit. Do you think I could be suded? He is scheduled to move in Friday, Sept. 5. His credit and work history are excellent. He is a doctoral student of math and works full time at a very high salary.I waver back and forth. --96.231.xxx.xxx

What demands has he made? It seems this has been going on for some time, and you have waited until the last minute. Give us more detail. --76.97.x.xxx

At this point, your best bet is to strictly adhere to the detailed lease that both of you have signed. And hold him to the terms of that lease also. No more, no less. --66.44.xxx.xx

answering machine. it is a beautiful thing --69.118.xx.xx

If he has been asking for a lot of things and being told no, he might be feeling uncomfortable too. Tell him you've concerned that his expectations may be too high and that you are willing to let him out of the lease and return his deposit. --72.207.xxx.xxx

Thank you for your quick and helpful responses. My tenant did not sign the lease. He only gave me a security deposit to be applied to possible breakages and damage to the apartment aftr he rented. I had to get the apartment ready for rental before he would move in, and he left town Aug.8 for vacation and just returned. We will meet this Thursday, the day before he expects to move in and sign the lease then. He had high demands at every meeting, such as wanting me to reduce the security deposit (only one month's rent) and wanting me deposit the money in an online bank for higher interest, which I did not want to do and did not do because it did not have as much federal oversight as other banks. I am concerned about a pattern of demands and tying up more time than I want. --96.231.xx.xx

GThank you for your quick response. I like the one suggestion that I offer him the chance to get out of the deal, even though he has not signed the lease.My prospective tenant did not sign the lease before he left to go on vacation Aug. 8. He did sign the security deposit, and we plan to meet Thursday for him to sign the lease and he will move in Friday. He was not ready to move in until then and I had to get the apartment ready. I was concerned because he questioned the amount of the security deposit (one month's rent for possible damage if he rented) and he told me, told ,not asked, me to deposit the money in an online bank for higher interest. I did not lower my demand for the security deposit nor deposit the money in the online bank because it didn't have as much federal oversight as other banks (FDIC insurance nothwithstanding). I am conerned that these demands will continue and tie up more of my time than I had planned. I may offer him the chance to look elsewhere. --96.231.xx.xx

--71.51.xx.xxx

Did you give in to either of these demands? --67.85.xxx.xxx

The tenant is not. --76.97.x.xxx

If you don't want to rent to him (I know I wouldn't); don't, but be professional and tell him now, not the day before he's supposed to be move in. --71.126.xxx.x

Then sign the lease. --207.69.xxx.xx

But mathematicians are not from this world :P Maybe you can train him? --91.89.xxx.xx

"No. The amount of the deposit is non-negotiable. It is our policy that the deposit is equal to one month rent. Our policies and proceedures, as well as fair housing law require us to treat all applicants equally. It is our policy to deposit the deposit monies at __________ bank. Again. We follow the same proceedures for all applicants. If you are uncomfortable with our policies and proceedures, it is your right to look elseware." --75.13.xx.x

All I can say is good luck. You now have a PITA to deal with. Be fair but be firm. This is your property not the tenants. --72.25.xx.xx