A good tenant relationship is necessary to ensure that everyone has a successful and pleasant rental experience. Your rental income depends on this because a happy tenant means your turnover and vacancy numbers are kept to a minimum.
Moving in and moving out are stressful times for your residents. We have some tips and ideas about how you can make the process less overwhelming and more supportive.
Move-In Property Condition Must be Exceptional
Before your tenant moves in, conduct a complete inspection of the property to make sure there aren’t any last-minute repairs that are needed. Tenants don’t want to move into a home that’s going to need immediate repairs. So, turn on all the faucets and check for leaks under sinks. Test each electric outlet. Run the appliances and turn on the heat and the air conditioning.
It’s also a good idea to walk through the home with your tenant before their moving day. This might seem time consuming and unnecessary to busy landlords, but it will really put the tenant’s mind at ease. You can show them how everything works, including how to set the thermostat and where to change the air filters.
Communicate Expectations and Responsibilities
Discuss the terms of your lease agreement. Being available to answer questions is a great way to make your tenants feel good about moving in. Go over your responsibilities and theirs; talk about expectations and who is responsible for things like utilities, landscaping, pest control, and general maintenance. You can also explain the rent collection policies and the consequences of not paying on time. All of this information is in the written lease, but when you can discuss it in detail with your tenants, you’ll run into less confusion and fewer conflicts.
Move-In and Move-Out Inspections
Before the tenant moves in, you need to document the condition of your property. Take pictures and videos, and make detailed notes. You’re going to expect your tenants to return the property in the same condition, so make sure you and your tenants agree on how things look before they take possession.
Provide your tenants with an opportunity to add anything to the move-in checklist before they sign it. They shouldn’t be held responsible for anything that’s pre-existing.
Santa Rosa landlords are required to offer their tenants an initial move-out inspection before they vacate. Not all tenants are going to accept this offer, but you have to make it. If they do want to conduct a walk-through with you, inspect the home the same way you would if the property was empty. Point out any of the things that are needed to be fixed or replaced in order to ensure the full security deposit is returned.
This can put your tenant’s mind at ease as they prepare to leave their home. After they leave, you can conduct your own inspection and make the appropriate decisions about the security deposit.
These are some of the things you can do to provide a better move-in and move-out experience for your tenants. If you have any questions about Santa Rosa property management, we’d be happy to serve as your resource. Contact our experienced team at Redwood Residential Property Management.