First Tenant Turnover

[Robert P.]

Hi All,

BP has been a huge help while I have been on this journey as a new landlord, so I am asking for a little more! I just got notice that one of my tenants will be moving on from my apartment to purchase a home. This is my very first turnover as a landlord, so I have a few questions about it (also open to any other feedback suggestions)

First off, these have been amazing tenants and have been here for about 1 1/2 years with no issues whatsoever, never late on rent and took very good care of the property. With that in mind - they offered to move out by the 15th of this month if I could pro-rate the rent. Financially for me, this makes more sense rather than making them pay full rent, leaving on the 30th and then now I can't get someone in there for Oct 1. Any thoughts on allowing this? I'm thinking I could post the apartment now, and have my "open house" the day after they leave (or shortly after). I expect huge demand for the property.

Second, I know I will need to do an inspection before I return their deposit. Is this something you do with them there when they turn in the keys, or do you do it after they turn in keys? I know in MA I have 30 days to return the deposit, or partial deposit with an itemized list of repairs and costs.

Anything else I need to do when they move out? Obviously change locks (which would not be considered something to remove from deposit), but anything else?

Any help you can provide on my first turnover would be fantastic!

Thanks in advance.