Did you know tenants are required to leave the premises they rent, in as good as or better shape then when they moved in? But how do you know what shape it was when they moved in?
Having a thorough and well documented move-in report will counteract any questions on the condition of the home when the tenant moved it. The tenant will be held accountable for any discrepancies between the move-in and move out reports.
Don't be too hasty when performing the move-in. A little time allotted for precise and meticulous documentation, will go a long way in the end.
Starting your move in on one side of the house only to move to the other, and then back to where you started; leaves a lot of room for something to get over looked. This is why creating a consistent pattern is extremely desirable. Details are important; the more the better. Marking an entire bedroom as okay creates a lot of ambiguous wiggle room come move out.
Start from the ceiling and work your way down to the floors. Are there hooks or cracks in the ceiling? Is the popcorn crumbling in some areas? Check to see if the ceiling fan works properly. Make sure all the lights are all working properly
As soon as you finish one area (ceiling, walls, ceiling fans, etc.) move on to the next. Does the room have a sliding glass door? Is it in proper working order? Are there any blinds or drapes? Is the screen door free from dents or holes?
Continue on whatever course you have set for yourself. Make sure to check any storage areas, bedrooms, office, bonus rooms, etc. Flush toilets, turn on showers and baths. Check for leaks, look for any sign of previous water damage. Turn lights off and on, open closets, pull out drawers. Check everything.
Time and again the exterior of home gets ignored. The exterior has many components to it; yard, fences, sprinklers, stairs, walkways, driveways, mailboxes, and the list goes on. If there is damage to one of these components and you do not have proof of its condition prior to move in, you will be stuck with the repair bill. Do not forget the exterior of the home.
Allow your tenant to review the move-in report; answer any questions they may have. Arrange for convenient times to make any repairs that may have arisen during the move-in. Have your new tenant sign and date the report with the understanding that this IS the move-in condition. Mail or give them a copy of the report, and allow them three to seven days to make notes of anything else they may find needs documentation.
Thorough and well documented move-in reports are a necessary evil as a landlord, but it is one that benefits both you and your tenant. Your tenant will be protected from incurring any costs from damage that was present at the time of their move-in; and you will have documented proof of any new damage to your rental property. - 29970
Having a thorough and well documented move-in report will counteract any questions on the condition of the home when the tenant moved it. The tenant will be held accountable for any discrepancies between the move-in and move out reports.
Don't be too hasty when performing the move-in. A little time allotted for precise and meticulous documentation, will go a long way in the end.
Starting your move in on one side of the house only to move to the other, and then back to where you started; leaves a lot of room for something to get over looked. This is why creating a consistent pattern is extremely desirable. Details are important; the more the better. Marking an entire bedroom as okay creates a lot of ambiguous wiggle room come move out.
Start from the ceiling and work your way down to the floors. Are there hooks or cracks in the ceiling? Is the popcorn crumbling in some areas? Check to see if the ceiling fan works properly. Make sure all the lights are all working properly
As soon as you finish one area (ceiling, walls, ceiling fans, etc.) move on to the next. Does the room have a sliding glass door? Is it in proper working order? Are there any blinds or drapes? Is the screen door free from dents or holes?
Continue on whatever course you have set for yourself. Make sure to check any storage areas, bedrooms, office, bonus rooms, etc. Flush toilets, turn on showers and baths. Check for leaks, look for any sign of previous water damage. Turn lights off and on, open closets, pull out drawers. Check everything.
Time and again the exterior of home gets ignored. The exterior has many components to it; yard, fences, sprinklers, stairs, walkways, driveways, mailboxes, and the list goes on. If there is damage to one of these components and you do not have proof of its condition prior to move in, you will be stuck with the repair bill. Do not forget the exterior of the home.
Allow your tenant to review the move-in report; answer any questions they may have. Arrange for convenient times to make any repairs that may have arisen during the move-in. Have your new tenant sign and date the report with the understanding that this IS the move-in condition. Mail or give them a copy of the report, and allow them three to seven days to make notes of anything else they may find needs documentation.
Thorough and well documented move-in reports are a necessary evil as a landlord, but it is one that benefits both you and your tenant. Your tenant will be protected from incurring any costs from damage that was present at the time of their move-in; and you will have documented proof of any new damage to your rental property. - 29970
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