回复：EMD should only be collected at lease signing

Maybe different states have different regulations. By my understanding EMD and security deposit serve different purposes. The property management companies in my state do collect EMD when potential tenants apply for rental. I can see this from the requirement in their website. At lease signing, the security deposit is definitely being collected. If the tenant later changes his/her mind, the security won’t be returned. The EMD at leasing signing seems redundant.