Preparing for Move-out In the Tenant Move-in Process
It would be wonderful if we installed a new tenant in a rental property with the knowledge that they will still be there in 10 years or more. Of course, we all know that’s almost never going to be the case. Whether it’s a six-month, one year or longer occupancy, they’re going to be leaving at some point not too far into the future. The landlord who wants a smooth move-out without disputes, and that’s most of us, will begin preparing their tenants for move-out the day they get the keys.
Are they clear on the terms of the lease?
Too many landlords hand their tenants a lease and ask them to sign it. Some who are more careful will point out some of the major points, like what is expected in condition at move-out. However, the most successful and least frustrated landlords will go through the lease with their tenants. You don’t have to read it word-for-word, but having a lease that’s clear and not full of legalize will help in this process. Point out every detail that any landlord has experienced as a problem in the past:
• Tenant rent payment responsibilities, deadlines and penalties.
• Tenant behavior and noise rules.
• What constitutes fair wear and tear versus damage, and what damages typically cost and will come out of security deposits.
• How and when deposits are refunded.
This can all be done in a friendly way at the time of lease signing, but it should be done.
Move-in and Move-out Checklist
This should be a checklist of the things that you will inspect on move-out and that they should inspect on move-in. In other words, the way the place looks when they move in is pretty much the way you expect it to look when they move out. By having a thorough checklist, you’ll prompt them to do their move-in walk-through with an eye for things they may not have noticed otherwise. You don’t want the hassle of disputes when something wrong at move-in isn’t discovered until you try to charge them to fix it at move-out.
Use Video for Your Record
Just about every smart phone these days is equipped with a decent video function. Walk through the property and video every room, windows, doors, baseboards, floors, ceilings, etc. Videos are time and date stamped, so it’s a great record of condition at move-in, and it’s a great resolution tool for disputes.
Be thinking move-out at move-in, and you’ll have fewer problems and better profits.
It would be wonderful if we installed a new tenant in a rental property with the knowledge that they will still be there in 10 years or more. Of course, we all know that’s almost never going to be the case. Whether it’s a six-month, one year or longer occupancy, they’re going to be leaving at some point not too far into the future. The landlord who wants a smooth move-out without disputes, and that’s most of us, will begin preparing their tenants for move-out the day they get the keys.
Are they clear on the terms of the lease?
Too many landlords hand their tenants a lease and ask them to sign it. Some who are more careful will point out some of the major points, like what is expected in condition at move-out. However, the most successful and least frustrated landlords will go through the lease with their tenants. You don’t have to read it word-for-word, but having a lease that’s clear and not full of legalize will help in this process. Point out every detail that any landlord has experienced as a problem in the past:
• Tenant rent payment responsibilities, deadlines and penalties.
• Tenant behavior and noise rules.
• What constitutes fair wear and tear versus damage, and what damages typically cost and will come out of security deposits.
• How and when deposits are refunded.
This can all be done in a friendly way at the time of lease signing, but it should be done.
Move-in and Move-out Checklist
This should be a checklist of the things that you will inspect on move-out and that they should inspect on move-in. In other words, the way the place looks when they move in is pretty much the way you expect it to look when they move out. By having a thorough checklist, you’ll prompt them to do their move-in walk-through with an eye for things they may not have noticed otherwise. You don’t want the hassle of disputes when something wrong at move-in isn’t discovered until you try to charge them to fix it at move-out.
Use Video for Your Record
Just about every smart phone these days is equipped with a decent video function. Walk through the property and video every room, windows, doors, baseboards, floors, ceilings, etc. Videos are time and date stamped, so it’s a great record of condition at move-in, and it’s a great resolution tool for disputes.
Be thinking move-out at move-in, and you’ll have fewer problems and better profits.