Normally there are 2 different ways to pay the rent and deposit, One is paying the rent monthly (Every Month ) and pay 2 month deposit, and another way is Pay 3 month rent every time and pay one month deposit, It depends on different landlord , but most landlords prefer 2 month deposit, and you can pay the rent every month, and part of the landlord prefer you pay 3 months rent one time, and just pay one month deposit .
And normally when we sign the contract, we should pay the deposit to secure the apartment .