Move Out Inspection Form and Tenant Presence at Inspection

[Wade Penner]

I have a singular move-in/out inspection form, which the tenants fill out upon moving in.  It has signatures for the move-in portion, and then below for the move-out portion.  Most of my forms are electronic, however this is a paper form. 

1. Do I need to meet the tenant(s) for a move-out inspection, or can the inspection be done after they've moved out?  It appears either will work, but just wanted to double-check.  I would prefer to do it without the tenant present if possible, which would give me time to go through without the added pressure.

2. If I do the inspection after they've moved out, then I have no way to complete the signatures on the move-out portion of the form mentioned above.  I do have a different form that details the security deposit disposition though... will that suffice? In that case I wouldn't send them the move-out portion of the move-in/out form mentioned above, and I would only send the security deposit disposition.

Thanks!

[Peter M.]

@Wade Penner Remove the signature line for move out. I never do the official move out inspection with the tenant. I may do a walk through with them but I dont hand them a check until I check everything out on my own. Then I mail them my move out form with a list of deductions. Take pictures and if you think they will fight you over some of it, include the move in form and the pictures.