Is this strange?... Move in costs, advice pls (Worcester: apartment, rental)

[shugarsha]

Hi!
**Worcester MA location**
Fiance and I went to see a place last week, loved it! Conveniently located, spacious, affordable..

Great, so we get approved (YIPEEE) this past Saturday (two days ago).

We saw this place listed through a realtor. It is important to note on the paper we received when we went to the open house, under property features, etc:
Last months: YES
Security: YES
References Rqd: YES
First Months: (blank)

Anyway, we get approved and the realtor asks if we can sign our lease on May 5th (this Friday) and move in May 15th(when the lease would commence).

I stated that because of our pay cycles and the fact we needed to pay last($930) and security($930), can we do it Friday, May 19th. She said that was fine, but we would need to pay the prorated rent (total of $360 for May 19th to May 31st) on June 1st. And also that First, Last and Security was due before June 1st... a total of $3,180. And then on July 1st, we would start our normal $930 every 1st of the month..

Where does our first months rent kick in???

This is where I am confused.. Because I was expecting to pay security deposit ($930) on Friday at the lease signing and then last months on May 19th ($930) when we got our keys, then $360 on June 1st for our stay May 19th-31st. A total of $2,220 before June 1st... then July 1st and subsequently after $930 every first of the month.
I expected this because this is what was listed on the paper we received from the realtor and it also is the most logical thing..

I noted that in her email, she wants "first months rent" paid out to the realty company. Isn't this a broker's fee? On that paper, it stated Brokers Fee: NO.

The other two checks, last and security, she is saying needs to be made out to the Landlord... We will have no other dealings with the realtor after the lease is signed....

My question is, what do i do!! I love this place.. I don't want to lose it, but $3,180 due when we would have only been on the premise for 13 days is a little absurd. Is this weird?

[Dm84]

Usually you pay first, last, security and fee when you sign the lease.

[shugarsha]

Right, but if this was advertised as just Last and Security - how can she request First months?
Especially if we are paying first months rent, but not getting any first month out of the payment?

If we pay First, Last and Security and $360 for May 19-31st, when does the first month's payment kick in? Because we are then being told to pay $930 on July 1st, for June....

Do you think there is a good chance we would still be able to secure it if we pay $930 on the 5th and the 19th and the prorated rent on June 1st? I also offered ACH rent payment when we saw the apartment, which may be another reason we were chosen.. I just would like some wiggle room as we are agreeing to move in, in less than 30 days... with moving costs, etc. $3,180 is a lot before the 1st.....

[J1mbo01]

You should be paying:

First - 360

Last - 930

Security - 930

Your next payment is due June 1.....930 for the month of June.

[shugarsha]

that's what I thought, thank you!!

[SalamanderSmile]

It is really semantics. Normally first, last and deposit is due when you sign the lease. So $930 x 3 at lease signing, then because of your situation with May you owe another $360. I would tell the realtor you will do as the previous poster said and pay May, last and deposit and then send in June on June 1 like normal.

[NewfieMama]

Usually you pay rent at the beginning of the month for the upcoming month. So my understanding is that you are paying
1. $360 for May 19 - 31st
2. $930 for first month's rent (June)
3. $930 Security
4. $930 for last month's rent

This totals $3,150, so I'm not sure what the extra $30 is for--maybe rental application? Then July 1st your $930 payment resumes and that is your JULY rent.

[MikePRU]

Originally Posted by NewfieMama

Usually you pay rent at the beginning of the month for the upcoming month. So my understanding is that you are paying
1. $360 for May 19 - 31st
2. $930 for first month's rent (June)
3. $930 Security
4. $930 for last month's rent

This totals $3,150, so I'm not sure what the extra $30 is for--maybe rental application? Then July 1st your $930 payment resumes and that is your JULY rent.

The extra $30 could be for a credit/background check

[markmark09]

Originally Posted by shugarsha

Hi!
Because I was expecting to pay security deposit ($930) on Friday at the lease signing and then last months on May 19th ($930) when we got our keys, then $360 on June 1st for our stay May 19th-31st. A total of $2,220 before June 1st... then July 1st and subsequently after $930 every first of the month.

If this was the case, you would be staying in June for free. This accounts for the difference in your calculation and your landlord's.

Also, if you write the check to your realtor, you are not on the hook for the broker's fee - the landlord is simply giving the realtor your first month's rent that you would have to pay anyway.

[shugarsha]

Originally Posted by markmark09

If this was the case, you would be staying in June for free. This accounts for the difference in your calculation and your landlord's.

Also, if you write the check to your realtor, you are not on the hook for the broker's fee - the landlord is simply giving the realtor your first month's rent that you would have to pay anyway.

Oh okay, gotcha. Thanks for clarifying this!