I moved out of my house on 11/01/2009 and converted it into a rental property. It took me two weeks to get the house ready for renting but it didn't rent till 02/01/2010. So I only have rental expenses (new paint, carpet and utilities, etc.) and no rental income for 2009.
My question is, because I lived in the house for 10 (out of 12) months in 2009, am I allowed to deduct the rental expenses on my 2009 tax return or not? The instructions in the IRS publications 527 on this topic are not very clear.
Thank you.

