Giving tenants a move out checklist

[Jack B.]

I've noticed there are roughly three things that are a common issue when tenants move out. As such today I started sending emails about these items to tenants, starting with the tenant I have moving out now.

Carpet/Wall stains: I advise that they carpet clean or magic eraser any scuffs on walls because little kids inevitably dirty the walls and spill...

Utilities: I advise them to ensure they pay their closing payment for all utilities.

Trash: I advise them to ensure everything they came there with and in the garage, house, yard, shed, etc. is taken with them. I've spent hours cleaning out truck loads of crap people seem to always leave behind thinking I'm doing charity work for them.

I sent this out to a tenant today and got confirmation of a plan of action for all of the above from her. I plan on doing this with all my tenants from now on. I also plan on touching on damage vs. normal wear when people move in, as well as utilities for the same, because inevitably people always are slow to get it transferred and think I'm going to pay the bill for them out of the kindness of my heart....

[Thomas S.]

Video and record entire unit at move in, have tenant sign move in sheet.

Inspect property quarterly while tenant is there and have damage repair and paid for by tenant at the time.

Do inspection of unit as soon as they give notice to move.

Have tenant sign notice of items to be addressed prior to move out

Do inspection week of move out. Indicate deficiencies to tenant

Do final inspection after move out.

All deficiencies need to be addressed by hired contractor, repairs, cleaning, junk removal etc. Landlord in order to deduct cost from deposits must not do any work themselves.

Deduct all costs from deposit and include copy of contractor invoices to send to tenant.