<prompt> Human: My aunt has been renting a single family home in Newton, Mass for over two years. She initially signed the lease for one year and has since gone month-to-month. The landlord cashed the deposit and a few rent checks initially, but has not deposited over 24 months worth of rent since then.My aunt works in finance and is aware that that money is not technically hers, and has kept it all in het checking account, so there is no concern about not paying the back rent.What are her options as a tenant if she decides to move? The landlord is obviously very hands off and we are wondering what responsibilities my aunt will have for any stale checks over 6 months old.  <response>: Aunt needs to talk to her landlord, plain and simple. If the landlord is in no rush to be paid and their relationship is fine all she needs to do is say It has been 24 months since you collected rent, since the amount I owe you is now quite large I would appreciate it if you could inform me before cashing the old checks to be sure I can cover the full amount. After this point Aunt can move the money to savings for interest. Holding owed money is no moral reason not to earn interest on it. It does belong to her until the moment it leaves her account, and banks will almost definitely not screw your aunt by cashing checks over 6 months old so even if the landlord cashes them without telling her that amount is sufficient. If she wants to be extra safe she can keep 6 months rent in that account at all times, but there is no reason not to use no-risk interest on held money. Anyone who holds money holds it in trust which means that money earns interest. Usually the person whos money it is earns that interest but in this case your aunt still has possession of the money so she would. 