What are the first steps you take when a tenant leaves?

[Gail K.]

In Georgia I am supposed to review any damages within 3 days of a tenant leaving, prepare an estimate and review it with the former tenant.  In truth the majority of tenants leave and typically never even provide a forwarding address, knowing they are leaving damages behind.  "Skeedadlin'" is a goal for many.

When I walk into a newly empty rental unit I try to remember to do the following:

1. Take pictures of the condition of the rental; typically 50 to 100 pictures to later download on my home computer as evidence for justifying not returning the security deposit/suing the tenant.

2. Change all the locks at that time as you never know how many keys to the place are really still out there.

3. Lock all gates and storage sheds with new padlocks.

4. Bring extra compact bulbs (there are always burned out bulbs!) so I can make sure outside porch lights are lit at night as well as one or two inside lights to give the impression someone still lives there if the power is still on.

5. If the tenant has had the water turned off, check to make sure all spigots/faucets are in the "off" position so when the water department comes to turn the water on in my name they won't shut it back off thinking it's flooding inside instead of an open faucet.

6. If the power is off at that time (and Georgia Power often leaves the lights on for a while but another local power company won't) throw the breakers since they often want these off when they come to turn the power back on.

7. Close the blinds in easily accessible windows so prying eyes cannot see it's an empty place and perhaps an easy target to break in.

8. Start making lists on what it takes to get the unit back in shape to re-rent.

9. Sometimes try not to sob very loudly when I'm doing all of the above (must remember to bring Kleenex tissue also!)

What do others do?

Gail

[Mindy Jensen]

@Gail K., just a tip. If the tenant doesn't leave a forwarding address, and you are keeping any portion of the security deposit, make an itemized list, mail it to their last known address, and watch the mail for it to arrive. If they haven't forwarded their mail, keep the envelope unopened in their file as proof that you tried to comply with the law. Note the date it arrived in the mailbox.