Tenant Move-Out: What Landlords Need To Know And Do

As a property manager, it's imperative to understand all the steps and obligations involved when a resident is moving out. By being well-informed and prepared, landlords can mitigate potential conflicts and protect their property investment.

Across the U.S., there are nearly 48.2 million individual rental units, as of a recent survey, something that only creases the importance of knowing what to do when a resident moves out. This article explores the essential actions property managers should take to handle residents moving out. 

Our Ultimate Tenant Move-Out Checklist: Responsibilities When Your Tenant Moves Out

As a property manager, you're sure to be faced with the necessary responsibilities and duties when a resident moves out. It's important to know what you need to do and the order in which tasks should be completed. This way, the process should be as smooth and stress-free as possible. 

These tasks include everything from conducting a move-out inspection to advertising your vacancy. Each step is vital in ensuring your units are ready for new residents as soon as possible.

Conduct A Move-Out Inspection

The first thing you should take care of when a resident moves out is to conduct a move-out inspection. This inspection is essential for assessing the condition of the rental property and identifying any damages or issues caused during the resident's occupancy. 

When you perform this inspection, you can determine the appropriate deductions from the security deposit, if any, and address any major concerns before the next resident moves in. This could include repairs or updates as needed. 

The best way to conduct a quick move-out inspection and make as much time in your day for your other tasks is to use RentCheck. It is a digital platform that allows property managers like yourself to document the property's condition using photos, videos, and notes. 

This critical digital record provides an objective account of the property's state, reducing the likelihood of disputes with previous residents over the damages they might have left behind. Additionally, the inspection report can serve as evidence in case disagreements arise about the damage and when/how it was caused. 

Return Personal Belongings

Next, if applicable, you'll need to clear out and return, store, or discard belongings left behind by the previous resident. It's not uncommon for residents to accidentally leave some of their belongings behind. You should consult your local laws to determine what you should do with these belongings and how long the previous resident has to pick up their forgotten belongings. 

Address Maintenance And Repair Issues

After the move-out inspection and taking care of forgotten belongings, you will also need to address any and all maintenance and repair issues as soon as possible. This type of fast action helps maintain the property's value. It ensures that the apartment is safe and habitable for future residents. 

As you know, neglecting repairs can lead to more extensive and costly problems in the long run. For example, a minor leak in the plumbing system may seem unimportant at first. Still, leaving it unaddressed might lead to water damage, mold growth, and structural issues that will cost you far more in the long run.

Suppose you're keeping up with the necessary apartment maintenance and repair issues. In that case, you're sure to attract quality residents who appreciate a well-maintained property like yours. Plus, it fosters a positive reputation. You want as many residents as possible to know how much you care about your properties and the lengths you're willing to go to to ensure they're happy and safe.

Clean The Rental Property

After addressing the repairs, you must start cleaning the rental property. This is a necessary step, especially considering the next resident will expect the apartment to appear as close to new as possible when they move in. 

Consider hiring professional cleaning services to ensure you've covered all the bases and completed a clean-up. Some tasks you'll want to take care of include cleaning the carpets, wiping down the windows, and sanitizing bathrooms. Create a move-out checklist to ensure all your tasks are completed. 

Return The Security Deposit 

After you've inspected the unit and discovered whether or not the previous resident left behind damage, you should return the security deposit. If necessary, you should also clarify whether you've taken a portion of the deposit to complete repairs. 

If there is no damage beyond the normal wear and tear, you should return the tenant's security deposit within the timeframe mandated by local laws.

Start Advertising Your Vacancy

Once you've completed these tasks, it's time to start advertising the vacancy. With the best marketing strategies, you can attract potential residents quickly and hopefully reduce the duration of the property sitting unoccupied.

Property managers can use various advertising platforms, such as online listing websites, social media, and local community bulletin boards, to reach as broad an audience as possible. It's through these pages that most people search for and discover their next place of residence. 

Another great tip is to take high-quality photographs to use in your listing. You can take these after you finish cleaning. They should be accompanied by detailed descriptions of the property's features and amenities. Taking care of these aspects of your listing will significantly increase interest from prospective residents.

Update And Renew Lease Agreements

This is a step that you may or may not need to follow. But, if there have been some changes to the property and how you're running it, you'll need to update the lease agreement to reflect this.

Therefore, when the new resident moves in and signs the lease, they're up to date with the rules and regulations of the property as well as what you're expecting from them.

Use RentCheck For Your Next Move-Out Inspection

Conducting a thorough move-out inspection is incredibly important for property managers who want to create a smooth transition from one resident to the next. It's a great idea to utilize advanced tools, like RentCheck, to make the process as easy as possible. 

RentCheck provides property managers with an inspection platform that simplifies the documentation process. It allows you to take notes and photos and record videos, just in case you need them to prove there is damage to the unit. You can also use the platform to generate an inspection report. This helps reduce the risk of disputes with previous residents.  

Sign up for RentCheck today and experience the convenience and benefits of a modern and speedy inspection process.