Over 43 million rental properties are occupied by tenants in the United States.
Renting is a popular option for many reasons. Some tenants don’t want to be responsible for repairs or yardwork while others have a lower credit score.
As a landlord, it’s your job to make sure your tenant is holding up their end of the rental agreement. A common source of frustration and confusion happens during the move-out process.
To avoid this confusion, we’ve provided a move-out guide for landlords. Keep reading to learn more and to see our landlord move-out checklist!
Schedule the Inspection
When you have a tenant moving out of a home or apartment you’re renting to them, expectations may get lost in translation.
As a landlord, you’ll want to make sure the property looks the same way it did when the tenant moved in. Any flaws or damage that are present after the tenant’s lease is up should be up to the tenant to pay for. This is where the security deposit and inspection come in.
Don’t forget to schedule an inspection before sending your tenant on their way as you may be left with expensive repairs or hours of cleaning. The inspection should include an extensive walkthrough of the property as well as a checklist for you and the tenant to refer to.
Landlord Move-Out Checklist
What’s expected of your tenant should be clear before the inspection.
To help guide your tenant before the inspection, here’s a checklist for what should be done:
- Sweep, mop, and vacuum the floors
- Clean any food/debris in the fridge, freezer, sink, cabinets, drawers, and dishwasher in the kitchen
- Clean and disinfect bathrooms
- Clean windows
- Remove ALL personal property from the property
- Do not leave garbage on the curb or in your dumpster
- Mow, weed, or use any other means necessary to make the lawn presentable (if applicable)
- Clean and paint walls to the original color they were upon move-in
- Leave any and all appliances that were provided with the property
- Leave utilities on until the inspection has been completed
- Leave keys after passing inspection
- Light fixtures should work properly
- Appliances must work properly
- Plumbing must be free of blockages and other complications
- Smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms must work correctly
- If there are any damages, the landlord must be notified of these prior to inspection
- Heat and AC must work properly
All of these boxes should be checked before the inspection is conducted. Failure to have these tasks done should result in the tenant not receiving a security deposit back.
Other Factors to Consider
Along with the checklist being completed fully, the tenant should be up to date on fees.
These include rent, early contract termination fees, and water bills. If the tenant is not paying the fees expected of them, you may need to get a lawyer involved.
Also, the tenant should take care of forwarding all mail with the post office. It is not your job or the job of the new tenant to forward mail from the old tenant.
An Efficient and Successful Move-Out
Having an agreement between the tenant and the landlord is the key to an efficient and successful move-out.
Setting up an inspection and providing a landlord move-out checklist to your tenant is essential.
If you’re thinking about investing in another property, reach out to us today to get started!