Security Deposit Question
I will be going to the Villages this summer in either July, August or September for my first visit. I have a chance to rent a Designer home with a pool for a very good price (even considering summer rates). It is being rented through a real estate agency. They will take $1100 for any of those months, furnished and including all utilities. They want a deposit of $500 to reserve it at time of booking (no problem). One month before I move in they want an additional $400 as a security deposit plus the rent. In other words they want from me a total of $2000 before I move in. They say the $900 will be refunded to me within two weeks after the rental expires if everything is left in the condition it was found.
My question---Is this standard operating procedure for rentals down there? It's been a long time since I rented anywhere and I'm a little uncomfortable with giving them that much extra money upfront. If this is standard operating procedure I guess I'm okay with it. Does this sound reasonable and customary for the area? What guarantees do I have that I will actually get the $900 returned to me if I leave it in the condition I found it?Thanks for any advice....Wilt
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