Renting out my unit (first time!)

[Trenton Brown]

Hey all! Moving to TX, leaving my duplex and filling my unit. Any pro tips / mistakes to avoid before I leave and fill the space with a new tenant? Planning to self-manage remotely / family in town close by in case of immediate action. Thanks so much. 

[Trenton Brown]

Quote from @Jonathan Greene:

1. Don't accept the first tenant who seems nice without doing a full check via RentSpree or whatever.

2. List the rental with a realtor for easier showings and so they can vet tenants for you. In NY, renters pay the realtor fee so it's a no loss for the landlord. Not sure about TX.

3. Make sure you have an air-tight lease and also a house rules or house expectations.

Has someone been renting in the other side and you are just renting your side? You may have more experience then.

 Jonathan, really appreciate this. Super helpful! And yes, however the current tenant in the other unit was already there before I bought the property. He was month to month so I transitioned his to annual lease.