Blog Post

Tenant Move Out Checklist

Dustin Edwards • Feb 21, 2020

What should I do when my tenant moves out of my rental?

Tenant Move Out Checklist
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 :)):

Sample Move Out Checklist
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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By Dustin Edwards 01 May, 2024
Everyone wants to feel safe in their homes. As an investment property owner, it's up to you to decide whether or not to include security measures in your property. Many of the costs associated with the security measures can be included in the rent, meaning not only can you keep your property safe, but you can earn more income in the long run. However, you would still want your tenants to have renters insurance to protect their assets. Today, we’ll discuss the top five security measures you can add to your property and why they're beneficial to you and your tenant. Security Cameras Cameras are probably one of the first security measures people think about when asked about security. Cameras provide more benefits than just surveillance. They provide an extra level of security for the safety of the tenants and their belongings. Additionally, security cameras can be useful when repairs are required. Cameras can aid in supervising repairs and maintenance to ensure you’re receiving the agreed-upon work. During vacancies when the property is empty, security cameras can help keep the property safe from potential intruders. Doorbell cameras are incredibly popular now. They provide the aforementioned safety of a camera that can be accessed remotely, as well as the ability to communicate with visitors. Although one must be careful never to say you're not home, just say you're unavailable to strangers. Security Lights Security lights with motion detectors are another effective tool when adding security measures to your property. These lights brightly if a potential intruder attempts to get near your home. They can provide enough illumination to see the intruder or, at the very least, scare them off. Nowadays, you can find a combination of security cameras and motion-activated security lights, such as the floodlight cam wired plus from Ring . Additionally, because these lights only turn on when motion is detected, they’re more cost-effective than traditional lights with a switch. Illuminate the Property Light generally deters intruders as it's more difficult to hide. Adding lighting to the landscaping can increase the security of the property while creating a relaxing atmosphere. Lights can also be used in other areas of the property to accent features such as trees, benches, or artwork. This can help your property stand out while giving your tenants an additional feeling of safety. Keyless Entry Keyless entry is seen as both a convenience feature and a security feature. They usually use an electronic passcode, biometric data, or grant access through a smartphone app. Physical keys can be lost, stolen, or duplicated. You reduce the risk of unauthorized entry by eliminating the need for a physical key to enter the property. Many keyless entry systems include several features, such as remote locking and monitoring. Although keyless entry is a great new technology for keeping your tenants and properties safe, they’re best used with other security systems. Security Company Nothing beats having an extra pair of eyes on your property for security. This is where security companies like ADT and SimpliSafe come in. While companies may deal with security in varying ways, they aim to protect your investment. While safety is the primary role of a security company, remember that many tenants may be willing to pay more for a premium amenity like a home security company. Keeping your property and tenants safe is incredibly important to the longevity of an investment property. If you’re looking to improve the security of your Long Beach rental property or need help managing your beach city rental property, we invite you to call us today at (562) 888-0247 or fill out our Owner Application online .
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