Move in/Move out Checklist

[Kole Kingslien]

Hi everyone,

I have a few questions about moving in a tenant. I have my first tenant moving in tomorrow, and have compiled a folder of documents to take with to the lease signing, and was wondering if you guys had any advice about things I may be missing?

So far, this is what the folder contains:

• Lease Agreement
• Lead Based Paint Disclosure
• Lead Paint Pamphlet 
• Move In/Move Out Checklist
• Renters Insurance Disclosure
• Security Deposit and First Months Rent Receipt 
• Non Standard Rental Provisions 
• Itemized List of Common Security Deposit Deductions with General Prices
• Getting your Deposit Back Information Sheet with Cleaning Instruction upon Move Out
• Forwarding Address form (For getting their deposit back)

Also, do the Tenants fill in the Move In checklist by their-selves , and do I fill in the Move Out list by myself? What is the verbiage used in the "condition" section? 

Do I need to define the late fee in the Non Standard Rental Provisions form? What else should I put in this form?

Are their any other documents or information that I may have forgot, or may want to include? 

I know I am probably overthinking this, but I would like to be as organized and prepared as possible, so that going forward I can plug new properties and Tenants into a efficient and effective system.

Also I am in the Beloit Wisconsin area. Any advice is always appreciated! 

Thanks again,

Kole

[Marcus Auerbach]

@Kole Kingslien very complete list of documents. Don't forget two folders, one for your originals and one for your tenants copies. Wisconsin Legal Blank has nice folders which you can fill out on the front. A blank folder will do for your tenants (especially if you will use a PM down the road), but if you self manage have vistaprint.com make you some with your name or logo on it. This sounds a bit like overkill, but it sends a very strong message to your tenants: they are renting from a professional company and not from their buddy from down the road.

Playing off Chad's good advice about your phone ringing off the hook: if you self manage get a google voice number, get a PO Box and get a dedicated email. Put all that on your business card and that's all the information your tenants will ever have from you. Train your tenants to email as a default and text you if it's urgent. If a tenant calls me I usually don't pick up and text back to see how I can help. If a phone call is necessary we will schedule a time for that. Most issues can be resolved via email or text. And we do have business hours from 8am to 7pm. Make it a point to never reply after 7pm, as your tenants will learn that you are available 24/7. 

Also know that your property will choose it's tenant, so if you have a nice property you will attract nice tenants and nice tenants are more pleasant to deal with. If you don't hire a PM you will have to be your own PM and that means you have to act like a professional in your own best interest.