Yes, you can start deducting rental expenses when the property is PLACED IN SERVICE. You will complete the Rental Property section in TurboTax and report zero income. Note: the IRS does look at many factors when evaluating the placed in service, especially if there was no rental income. For example, you did list the property (good) but making repairs, cleaning are questionable because would the property be considered move-in ready at that point? If it was acceptable and someone could have moved in at any time, but you chose to continue to make it better because it was empty, you have a strong case that it was placed in service.
You place property in service in a rental activity when it is ready and available for a specific use in that activity. Even if you aren’t using the property, it is in service when it is ready and available for its specific use. See Placed in Service.
**Say "Thanks" by clicking the thumb icon in a post
**Mark the post that answers your question by clicking on "Mark as Best Answer"
