The reason you saw posts indicating that the start date for depreciation begins when the rental property is placed in service is because such approach is consistent with IRS guidance on the issue. Here is an example from IRS Publication 527, Residential Rental Property that is relevant to your question:
Example 2.
On April 6, you purchased a house to use as residential rental property. You made extensive repairs to the house and had it ready for rent on July 5. You began to advertise the house for rent in July and actually rented it beginning September 1. The house is considered placed in service in July when it was ready and available for rent. You can begin to depreciate the house in July.
IRS Publication 527
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