Paying Your Security Deposit and First Month’s Rent
Once the lease is signed, it’s time to take care of your security deposit and first month’s rent. You’ll also get access to your Tenant Portal, where you can manage payments, communicate with your landlord, and track your lease.
Step 1: Lease Signing
After your landlord signs the lease, you’ll receive an email prompting you to sign electronically. Once you complete your signature, the next steps—payments and onboarding- begin.
Step 2: Charges Are Created
Security Deposit: Due the day you sign the lease.
First Month’s Rent: Due on your lease start date. If your lease starts mid-month, this payment will be prorated; if it starts on the 1st, it’s for the full amount.
Ongoing Rent Payments: After this, your regular monthly rent charges (and any late fees outlined in your lease) will be created automatically.
All charges are based directly on your signed lease to ensure accuracy.
Step 3: Set Up Your Tenant Account
Create a password for your Tenant Portal.
Add a payment method (bank account, debit, or credit card).
Upload your renter’s insurance.
In the near future, the portal will also guide you directly to pay any outstanding charges, including security deposits.
Step 4: Make a Payment
Once in the Tenant Portal, you can view and pay any outstanding charges.
Identity Verification:
If you’re the first tenant paying for your landlord, you’ll be asked to verify your identity by uploading a photo ID and taking a quick selfie. This ensures a safe and secure process.
If another tenant has already made a payment, you won’t need to complete this step.
Payment Reminders:
6 days before - first email notice sent
3 days before - second reminder email sent
Due date - due today email sent
3 days after - past due email sent
5 days after - past due email sent
Your security deposit is due immediately when signing, so you’ll receive multiple reminders at signing. First month’s rent is due on the lease start date, so reminders will be timed accordingly.
Step 5: Move-In Access
When you pay the first month’s rent, you’ll receive a Move-In Access Email about 3 days before your lease starts.
This includes your lockbox code, which activates on your lease start date and is valid for 30 days.
If your first month’s rent is paid less than 3 days before your lease starts, the email will be sent immediately.
Lockbox issues are managed securely through Ziprent.