Property Rental Question.

Property agent is requesting the 2 months deposit and 1 month in advance rent payment (3 months total) all on the day of signing the lease 1 month before move in date.

I am not questioning the 2 + 1 practice. My question is about timing of the payments.

Is all 3 months typically paid on lease signing or typically 1 month on lease signing and the 2 months deposit paid on handover / move in date?

A few questions regarding rental law:

There's a lot on google regarding the new rental law in 2018, In particular for those entities holding more than five units etc. But what about Individuals or entities with less than five units?

The main questions I was looking for in this context:

... Can they demand double deposit plus first months rent?

....Exactly how long can they hold the deposit after the tenant satisfies the lease and pays the utilities?

....Also, who can legally collect the deposits.. If the agent quits or bolts is the owner liable?

From my experience the agent may ask for the deposit, and then have the tenant paid the rent to the directly to the owner.

Thank you.

Let's minimize the BS and TIT aside please. 🙄