5 Items Landlords Should Check Off Before a Tenant Moves In
by Boris Dzhingarov on Feb 6, 2019
If you’re a landlord, the last thing you want is to keep your property sitting open for too long. Once you’ve got a good tenant signed on, you want to make the moving process as smooth as possible for everyone. Checking these five important things off your list any time you have a new tenant coming in will help make things easier for everyone involved.
Fix it up and make it safe
If there’s any damage to the property, be sure to fix it before your tenant moves in. This goes double if there are any safety issues that need to be addressed. This means all emergency exits need to be clear and up to code. You should also check that all the appliances work and that the fire and carbon monoxide alarms have new batteries.
You should be doing regular spot checks for mold and cleaning it out before it becomes an issue. If you own a property that was built before 1978, you also need to make sure that asbestos and lead paint aren’t issues.
Make sure everything works properly
Call a Phoenix plumbing expert to make sure the sewer lines and all the plumbing is up to the proper codes and will pass inspection. Check heating and air conditioning, all outlets, and the lights to make sure the power is flowing to all of them and the place have no safety issues.
It doesn’t matter whether you or the tenant will pay for the utilities. It’s your responsibility to make sure they are all in good working order before the tenant moves in. If there are any outstanding utility bills, even if they were the responsibility of a previous tenant, you need to settle them before your new tenant moves in.
Get rent and security deposit
You should already have done a tenant credit check to make sure your renters have no background problems that you need to be aware of. Before your tenant moves in, you should be sure to collect the first month’s rent and your security deposit. Never let renters move in if they aren’t ready to pay these.
Of course, if a tenant is receiving Section 8 government housing assistance you should collect only the security deposit from the tenant. HUD will send you a check directly to pay the monthly rent.
Change the locks
This is a little thing, but it makes a big difference. No matter how great an old tenant may have been, you just have no way of knowing who might have keys to the place. If an unknown person has a key to the property, this could present a safety issue to any future tenants.
To protect yourself from any liability in a lawsuit, and to protect your tenant and their belongings, it’s important that you always change the lock whenever someone moves out. This is a small expense that buys great peace of mind.
Get the place cleaned
No one wants to move into a disgusting place, and this is something that can make a big difference when a tenant is considering moving or you want to ask for a rent increase. Even if you had the place basically cleaned when people were viewing the property, you need to make doubly sure it’s clean before your new tenant moves in.
Don’t forget to check places where previous tenants might have left a mess, however inadvertent. This means cleaning out the fridge and freezer, vacuuming under all the furniture and beds, and carefully cleaning the bathroom. Make sure you check the toilet tank and all the drawers and cabinets for things a previous renter might have left behind.
Popular Articles
Three Places to Spend Money on the Exterior of Your Home
When you have the exterior of your home remodeled, you are investing, time, energy and convenience into the project and you want to make sure that...
87644 Views
When to Use a Brush, Roller or Sponge Brush
Brushes are a good choice for painting trim and woodwork. They are also useful for cutting in the edges around the top and bottom edges and corners...
69731 Views
Homemade Headboards-Make an Upholstered or Wooden Headboard
Homemade headboards can add a lot of personality to any bedroom. They can be coordinated with existing furniture and room decor or they can be the...
69061 Views
Creating a Cottage Kitchen with Bead Board
Kitchen decor can range from modern and bold to elegant and elaborate by using strategic kitchen pieces. One of the most popular decorating trends...
47761 Views
Gas Fireplace Diagnostics and Troubleshooting
Follow these steps for diagnosing and troubleshooting Gas Fireplaces repairs. For the average DIYer, this may seem intimidating, depending on the...
28853 Views
Latest Articles
Understanding Indonesia’s Real Estate Investment Laws for Foreigners
Indonesia, with its stunning landscapes, deep-rooted cultural heritage, and renowned hospitality, has emerged as a top destination for foreigners...
on Jan 25, 2024
Real Estate Development in Asian Cities
In many Asian cities, the rapid pace of urban development has led to the decline of historic districts, areas once teeming with cultural richness...
on Jan 25, 2024
Shower Envy: Elevating Your Bathroom with a Stunning Walk-In Shower
Are you tired of the same old routine in your bathroom? It might be time to consider a change, and one way to elevate your bathroom to a new level...
on Jan 22, 2024
Exploring Crowdfunding as an Innovative Approach to Real Estate Investment
The landscape of property selling has been transformed significantly due to the advent of property crowdfunding. This innovative approach,...
on Jan 10, 2024
The Rise of Co-Living Spaces in Asian Cities
Asia, home to 21 of the worlds 30 largest cities, is a significant player in the global economy, contributing 38% of the goods and services of the...
on Jan 5, 2024
Featured Articles
What Type of Licensed Contractor Should You Hire?
on Feb 28, 2017
Hire Contractors / Estimates
Looking for a specialty project? There are many types of contractors available for your home improvement needs. Finding the right type of...
Actions
Top Categories
- Garden / Landscaping / Patio — 263
- Kitchen / Bathrooms — 240
- Real Estate / Finance — 200
- Appliance / Repair — 186
- Interior Design / Decor — 184
- HVAC / Air Conditioning — 147
- Cleaning / Maintenance — 144
- Improvements / Remodeling — 131
- Plumbing / Basements — 118
- Floors / Tile / Hardwood — 115
- Doors / Garages — 113
- Safety / Security — 112
Articles Archive
More DIY Articles
Landscaping for Energy Efficiency
The proper placement of trees and shrubs around a home will have a significant impact on the energy required to heat and cool the structure. The...
Should I Try to Tackle Resurfacing My Pool on My Own?
The pool becomes a gathering place where your friends and family get together to enjoy the evenings. In fact, you have invested so much energy and...
The Dangers of Asbestos During a Home Refurbishment
Over the past century, asbestos was widely used in the construction industry in numerous materials found in commercial and residential buildings....
5 Reasons to Let a Professional Plumber Handle That Plumbing Job
When it comes to home improvement, some homeowners swear by having a professional do it while others would rather opt for the DIY route. While...
Five of the Most Popular Varieties of Protective Packaging
If your business sells products over the Internet, then you will need to use packaging that protects the contents of the packages sent to your...