Tenant Move Out Checklist
Dustin Edwards • February 21, 2020
What should I do when my tenant moves out of my rental?
When individuals are managing their own properties one of the most challenging periods is the stage of property management when a tenant moves out. Thoughts are swirling such as:
- What condition is the property going to be in?
- How much will I need to invest to get it rental ready?
- How long will my property be vacant?
- How many payments will I need to make while the property is vacant?
- How much of this is regular wear and tear and how much of it is damage the previous tenant should be responsible for?
While these are all natural thoughts and really practical questions we encourage people to take an approach like we do at Beach Cities Property Management. A tenant moving out gives the opportunity to ask questions about your rental such as:
- Are there any upgrades that could be completed now tackle that could increase rent?
- Is now the time to do another rental analysis to see if I could get an even higher rent?
- Should I even consider selling the property? Maybe a 1031 exchange into a residential multi-family(i.e. 2-4 units)?
Taking a moment to ask yourself a few questions about your property and how it is performing as an asset can help make the impeding vacancy be looked at as more of an opportunity vs. a liability.
Of course asking questions about the property is only part of what is needed when a tenant moves out. One of the most practical items we tackle are the essential activities related to the move out process. Consider a few of the items that we have on our move-out checklist below (our full list is much longer :)):
While these are only a few of the items we tackle for every property we invite you to consider the following essential activities when a tenant moves out.
- Document Condition - Memories fade, but thankfully digital pictures don’t. Documenting the condition of your property means going room by room taking photos and detailed notes on how the property differs from the move-in process. Take time to note the small details with the understanding of what is a likely repair and what could be more of a cleaning issue (i.e. carpet cleaning vs. full carpet replacement).
- Outline List of Essential Repairs - There are certain repairs that just can’t wait. For example if the faucet is leaking then it absolutely needs to be dealt with. Or if your heating unit isn’t cutting it then put that at the top of the list. For your essential repairs be prepared to get a handyman or even multiple vendor quotes for the more expensive items. The sooner you get the property in rentable condition the sooner you can find a new happy renter.
- Get it ready to List for Rent - Once the property is looking fresh again then it is time to market it for rent. Marketing a property for rent is one item that continues to change drastically each year. No longer can one advertise in a single location. Your property should be featured in key online locations to ensure you attract the best possible renters. Consider our top 5 tips to preparing your Long Beach home for rent to help you on your path to attracting great renters.
When you would like to learn more about our comprehensive Move-Out and Move-In Process we invite you to reach out to us today to see how we could help. Even before you can find out today how much your property could rent for filling out our Free Rental Analysis.
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Your property’s roof is its first line of defense from the sun, rain, and wind. Which means it will eventually wear out. Many landlords overlook this since a roof is generally designed to last twenty or so years, and they simply forget until the signs begin to show. Below, we’ve compiled a short list of five signs it’s time to replace your roof for when doing property inspections. Tenant Complaints When your roof has become damaged, your tenants will likely be the first to notice. When tenants report water stains on the walls and ceilings, it's a sign that you should inspect your roof. In severe cases, your tenant may notice water dripping from roof leaks. This moisture, if left unchecked, can lead to the growth of mold and mildew, which can be a health concern for your tenants. Some tenants simply move out, assuming the odors or recurring respiratory issues are caused by the rental and not just the roof. This leaves you with a vacancy to manage, and if you’re unable to find the leak during this period, the following tenant may have a negative experience as well. Many landlords have found it beneficial to have property inspections regularly in order to preserve both the property’s value and the tenant’s trust. Roof’s Age Even with the highest quality materials, a roof still has a shelf life. Most roofs in Long Beach, CA, use asphalt shingles, and these generally last around twenty to twenty-five years. Once they've passed this threshold, the faults begin to show themselves. A sagging roof line is a sign that your roof is due to be replaced, as it's a serious concern. It often indicates that moisture has entered the underlying decking and caused some structural damage. From ground level, you may not be able to notice these problems. However, during an inspection of the property, an experienced inspector should be able to notice soft spots or contours on the roof. These forms of damage often get worse over time. Coordinating these inspections and preventative maintenance can be difficult for landlords with an extensive portfolio, which is why many enlist help. Shingle Damage Damaged shingles are one of the most obvious signs that your roof is deteriorating. If you ever notice cracking, curling, or patches with missing shingles, the roof is no longer providing adequate protection to your property. Although you can buy time with spot repairs, if the entire roof shows signs of damage, it’s likely time to replace the roof. Aside from protecting your property, the roof affects your property’s curb appeal. A patchy and worn-out roof can drive down the rental appeal. Prospective tenants will easily be able to spot the differences between pictures taken in the listing when compared to the property in person. This can not only hurt your chances of filling a vacancy, but it can also hurt your reputation as a landlord. Granules in Gutters After heavy rainfall, it's a good idea to inspect your rain gutters. If you or your property manager notice large amounts of black or gray granules, it means your roof shingles are breaking down. These granules are critical for shedding water off the roof. Once the granules fall off the shingle, the shingle begins to degrade faster under the sun and elements. If you’re not sure how old your roof may be, Loss of granules can be a strong indicator that your roof is nearing the end of its lifespan. Regular gutter cleaning and roof inspections can help catch these problems early before they become expensive repairs . Increase in Utility Bills Your tenants complaining about their utility bills increasing or poor temperature control in the rental may not realize the roof is to blame. A failing roof can result in subpar insulation and ventilation. This can lead to higher heating and cooling bills for your tenant. This can be frustrating for your tenants while putting more strain on the HVAC system. This puts more wear and tear on your HVAC system. Being aware of the warning signs and being proactive can protect your rental property, maintain tenant satisfaction , and avoid emergency repairs. If you need help inspecting your roof or you need help managing your Beach City rental property, we invite you to call us today at (562) 888-0247 or complete our Owner Application online .
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