Landlord To-Do List Before Tenant Move-In Once you have conducted the proper tenant screening and have chosen a tenant for your rental, there are certain things you must do as the landlord before the tenant actually moves into the unit. The steps you must take will depend on a variety of factors, such as the condition of your rental property and whether the tenant is receiving any form of government assistance. Following these procedures before a tenant’s move-in will help streamline the move-in process and hopefully help minimize any issues or complaints that will occur during tenancy as well. Repair Any Damage/Health or Safety Issues Before a tenant moves in, you will want to repair any preexisting damage at the property. Damage could include a hole in the wall or broken window locks. You will also want to make sure there are no health or safety issues. Safety issues include verifying that there are two forms of exit from the unit and that all carbon monoxide and smoke detectors are in working order. Health issues include checking for signs of mold and, for buildings constructed before 1978, that there are no lead-based paint hazards. This maintenance is necessary for the health and safety of the tenant. It also helps to ensure that you pass any property inspections that must be done before the tenant moves in. Clean the Property This is especially necessary if you are doing an apartment turnover, meaning, there was a previous tenant living in the unit. You will want to make sure the unit is thoroughly cleaned, especially areas such as the tub, toilet, stove and refrigerator. Even if this is the first time you are renting out the unit and everything is brand new, you should still vacuum or sweep to remove any debris. You should also have the property exterminated before tenant move-in even if there is no noticeable problem. Make Sure Heat, Plumbing and Electric is in Working Order Before a tenant moves in, it is imperative to make sure all utilities are in working order. Even if the tenant is responsible for paying for the utilities themselves, they must be in working condition. You will want to make sure the heat works in all rooms, that there are no clogs or leaks in the plumbing and that the outlets and overhead lights in every room are operational. These are necessities that a tenant needs to maintain quality of life. Go Over Lease and Have Tenant Sign Lease You should go over the lease agreement with the tenant section by section so that they completely understand what they are agreeing to. Once you have gone over the entire agreement with the tenant and answered any questions, you and the tenant should sign and date the lease agreement. Collect First Month’s Rent and Security Deposit You should always collect the first month’s rent and the entire security deposit before the tenant moves into the unit. If the tenant does not pay on time the first month, it increases the likelihood that they will be late with their rental payments the following months. The exception to collecting the first month’s rent prior to the tenant’s move in would be if the tenant is receiving government assistance, such as Section 8. Section 8 will send you the check once the tenant has moved into the unit. However, Section 8 tenants are still responsible for paying their own security deposit, which you should collect prior to the tenant’s move-in. Have Property Inspected if Required Depending on your town’s laws, you may have to have the unit inspected before a tenant can move into the unit. This inspection is done so the town can issue you a Certificate of Habitability. Some towns only require this inspection the first time the unit is rented, some towns require it every five years and some require it every time a new tenant moves into the unit. Make sure you know your town’s rules. If you are renting to a Section 8 tenant, the apartment will have to be inspected by a Section 8 inspector to make sure it meets their health and safety standards. Section 8 requires the unit to be inspected every year that the Section 8 tenant lives there. Change Locks Before a new tenant moves in, you should always change the locks on the doors. This is done for the safety of the tenant and to protect you from liability. You do not want an old tenant to have the keys to the new tenant’s apartment. Spend the $20 on a new lock to avoid any issues. Go Through Move-In Checklist On the tenant’s actual move-in day, you should go over the move-in checklist with the tenant. The checklist describes the condition of the property as a whole and of each room in detail. You should have the tenant sign and date this checklist. The move-in checklist is important as it allows you to compare the condition of the property when the tenant moves in to the property’s condition when the tenant moves out.
Posted on: Sun, 24 Nov 2013 09:00:03 +0000
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