I have negotiated a lease and all terms in the document are acceptable. The landlord's agent want a cashiers check for the rent and security deposit. An amount in excess of $7,500 when I sign the lease, weeks before giving me the keys. I recommended we execute the lease, exchange the keys/rent/security deposit at the same time. The agent is telling me the procedure is to give them a cashiers check when I sign the lease then they get the landlords signature and provide me with the executed document and keys the day prior to move-in in 3 weeks. I don't want to be difficult, but am a bit nervous about giving someone I have never met a large cashiers check and only receiving an unsigned lease in return.
What is the proper procedure here?
What is the proper procedure here?