Top 5 Items to do When Any Tenant Leaves Your Rental
Dustin Edwards • June 19, 2020
When Your Tenant Leaves More Work is on the Horizon
A tenant leaving is often one of the moments that a property owner dreads. The questions start piling up such as:
- What do I need to do to the property?
- How long will it take me to find a new renter?
- What do I need to do first?
- What do I do about that security deposit?
Instead of looking at a tenant leaving as a laundry list of tasks, we invite you to consider that this is a great opportunity to re-evaluate and get the most from your asset. To help alleviate your fears and tackle the essential items consider key items below.
Tip #1 - Property Inspection
When your tenant leaves, even if they were the best, low maintenance tenant ever it is still important to do a property inspection upon their departure. You could use a professional home inspection company, or if you have many years of rental ownership you could do this yourself. If you are going to do this aspect yourself we strongly encourage you to be critical of your property which can be challenging. This means taking the time to check every socket, get under the sink, in the crawl space (while the water is on), in the attic and run your major systems to ensure everything is in tip-top shape. Taking time upfront to identify what could be wrong with your property can save you late calls when a new tenant arrives.
Tip#2 - Return Their Security Deposit
Remember years ago when they made that security deposit? Especially tenants who have been with you for a while you might have nearly forgotten about their deposit, but it is very important that you evaluate the property to see what can be deducted. For example items such as broken cabinets, doors, or windows that shouldn’t be broken under normal conditions can be deducted from the deposit. Items that are standard “wear and tear” such as paint and carpet can’t be deducted (exception includes deducting for a professional cleaning IF you had it professionally cleaned prior to them moving in). Timing is important as if you don’t return the allocated deposit amount (with supporting documentation if not in full) of 21 days of their move out they are entitled to a full refund.
Tip #3 - Make it Move In Ready
Many property owners dread the aspect of getting a new tenant in place as, after all, it is a new relationship you have to build upon. Don’t let the fear of getting a new tenant in place distract you from the job of making your rental move-in ready. There are many items you can do to prepare your property for a new tenant
but overall the key is to make it feel “like new” so it is irresistible for someone to rent. Envision the best possible tenant walking in through the doors and smelling the fresh paint, seeing the sparking carpet and being amazed that they have the opportunity to rent your home and it will help you fix and update the necessary items for your next tenant.
Tip #4 - Take Fresh Photos
Few items are as frustrating for prospective tenants as seeing a Long Beach rental listing, visiting the property and being disappointed that it looks nothing like the pictures! Sadly we have seen many property listings use outdated photos where even the paint colors don’t match up to what is within the property. After you have spent the time to refresh and refurbish your property take the time to take new professional photos to show off the great aspects of your rental. Even if you have added small touches, such as enhancing the curb appeal, take photos that give people a great understanding of what it is like to call your rental property their home.
Tip #5 - Re-Evaluate the Rental Amount
When we meet with new clients one of the most common aspects we find is that their prior rental amount was substantially below market rate. We understand the hesitation in raising rent because the fear is you raise it and you lose a great tenant. Of course if you don’t raise it then you also aren’t maximizing the return on your investment. The key is to strike a balance between return and maintaining a strong tenant. Before listing your property for rent take time to perform a rental analysis
to understand what your property could yield. This can have a big impact on your bottom line as if your rental was off by 7% (some would say not too bad) on a $2,500 a month rental; that means you were short $175 a month or $2,100 annually!
When a tenant moves out it is a new opportunity to evaluate your property, improve the condition, and even increase the yield on your investment. To find out more how we can tackle all of the 5 tips above for you and much more we invite you to call us today (562) 888-0247 and we can help. If you want to have a quick check to see how much your property could fetch in rent we invite you to fill out our Free Rental Analysis
where we perform a comprehensive comparison to share your rental stacks up to the competition.
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How Long Beach property management companies market rental properties: pricing, professional listings, multi-platform exposure, fast responses, and screening.
One of the most important steps in successful rental property management is tenant screening. While marketing attracts applicants and leasing fills vacancies, the screening process determines whether a tenant will be reliable, respectful of the property, and consistent with rent payments. For Long Beach property owners, proper tenant screening can mean the difference between stable rental income and ongoing management problems. Professional property management companies in Long Beach use structured screening procedures to evaluate applicants carefully while remaining compliant with fair housing regulations. A strong screening process protects your property, your income, and your long-term investment. Why Tenant Screening Matters Tenant screening is designed to reduce risk before a lease is signed by evaluating applicant reliability. When landlords skip or rush this process, they increase the likelihood of avoidable issues. These may include late or missed rent payments , lease violations, or property damage. Additional risks include neighbor complaints and costly eviction proceedings. Replacing a problematic tenant can be expensive and time-consuming. Between lost rent, repairs, and vacancy periods , a single bad tenant placement can cost thousands of dollars. Professional rental property management prioritizes careful screening because prevention is far easier than resolving problems later. The Tenant Application Process The screening process begins with a rental application. A thorough application collects information needed to evaluate whether an applicant meets the property's rental criteria . Applications typically request: Personal identification information Employment and income details Rental history References from previous landlords Authorization for credit and background checks Property managers review this information to ensure the applicant meets established qualification standards. Consistency is critical; property management companies in Long Beach must evaluate applicants using the same criteria to remain compliant with fair housing laws. Credit History Evaluation Credit history is one of the most common factors considered during tenant screening because it reflects financial reliability. A credit report provides insight into an applicant's behavior over time. This includes payment history, outstanding debts, and collections accounts. It also shows credit utilization, which helps assess overall risk. While a credit score alone does not determine whether someone will be a good tenant, it helps identify patterns of financial responsibility. Professional Long Beach property management services evaluate credit reports carefully while also considering income stability and rental history. Some applicants with lower credit scores may still qualify if they demonstrate strong income and a reliable rental record. Income Verification and Affordability One of the most important indicators of whether a tenant can consistently pay rent is income stability. Property managers verify income to ensure that applicants can reasonably afford the monthly rent. A common guideline is that tenants should earn at least two-and-a-half to three times the monthly rent in gross income. Income verification may include reviewing: Recent pay stubs Employment verification Bank statements Tax returns for self-employed applicants This step helps ensure the tenant's financial situation supports consistent rent payments. Professional property management uses income verification to reduce the risk of late rent or financial hardship. Rental History and Previous Landlord References Past rental behavior is often one of the best indicators of future tenant behavior. Property managers typically contact previous landlords to verify information such as: Payment history Lease compliance Property condition upon move-out Whether the landlord would rent to the tenant again A strong rental history suggests the applicant understands tenant responsibilities and has demonstrated reliability in the past. Experienced property managers in Long Beach California pay close attention to rental history because it can reveal patterns that credit reports alone may not show. Background Screening and Compliance Background screening may also be part of the tenant evaluation process. This can include criminal history checks conducted in compliance with fair housing regulations. It is important that background screening is performed consistently and in accordance with local and state laws. California and many cities have regulations governing how criminal records can be considered in rental decisions. Professional property management companies in Long Beach stay current on these regulations to ensure that screening practices remain compliant. This protects property owners from potential legal risks related to discriminatory screening practices. Establishing Clear Rental Criteria Before screening applicants, property managers establish clear rental criteria. These criteria outline the minimum standards applicants must meet to qualify for the property. Typical criteria may address: Minimum income requirements Credit history expectations Rental history standards Occupancy limits By establishing criteria in advance, property managers ensure that all applicants are evaluated fairly and consistently. Clear criteria also help set expectations for applicants and streamline the approval process. The Importance of Fair Housing Compliance Tenant screening must always comply with federal, state, and local fair housing laws . Landlords cannot discriminate based on protected characteristics such as race, religion, national origin, disability, familial status, gender, sexual orientation, or other protected categories under California law. Professional property management in Long Beach California includes careful adherence to fair housing regulations throughout the screening process. Consistent procedures help ensure compliance while protecting property owners from legal exposure. Why Professional Tenant Screening Matters Tenant screening requires experience, attention to detail, and knowledge of legal guidelines. Many landlords underestimate how complex the process can be. Evaluating applications while maintaining compliance with fair housing laws and local regulations requires careful procedures. A property management company in Long Beach brings established systems and experience to the screening process. This helps property owners avoid common mistakes while improving the chances of placing the best tenants for their rental . When screening is handled professionally, landlords can feel more confident that their rental property is in good hands. The Long-Term Value of Careful Tenant Placement A good tenant can make rental ownership significantly easier. Responsible tenants pay rent on time, maintain the property, and communicate effectively when maintenance issues arise. Careful screening increases the likelihood of finding tenants who will remain in the property long-term. Long-term tenants reduce turnover costs , minimize vacancy periods, and create more stable rental income. Professional property management companies understand that tenant placement is one of the most important decisions in the entire rental process. How Beach Cities Management Screens Tenants At Beach Cities Management, our rental property management in Long Beach includes a structured tenant screening process designed to protect both property owners and tenants. Our screening procedures include: Comprehensive rental applications Credit and income verification Rental history checks Fair housing compliant evaluation standards Our goal is to place qualified tenants who will respect the property and maintain consistent rent payments. Ready for Professional Tenant Screening and Leasing? If you want help leasing and managing your rental property, professional Long Beach property management can simplify the process and reduce risk. Apply today through our **Owner Application** . Let Beach Cities Management handle tenant screening, leasing, and property management so you can focus on building long-term investment success.
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