The lease is ending, and your tenant is ready to move out. As the landlord, you are now faced with the final stage of your landlord/tenant relationship. Now is the time to collect the keys and perform a move-out check. Having a pre-printed checklist helps you know what landlords need to do. By following this checklist, you will know what damages to look for and the other tasks required with moving a tenant out.
1. Confirm Tenant’s Move Out Date
The first step is to confirm the tenant’s move-out date. While it would be easy to assume that it is the last day of the lease, this isn’t always the case. Confirm the move-out date with the tenant so that you are available to collect the keys.
2. Schedule a Walkthrough
It is best to do the move-out walkthrough with the tenant present. That way, you reduce the risk of miscommunication. Damages present can get addressed and acknowledged by both parties. Additionally, take pictures for future reference. If you can’t do the walk-through in person with the tenant, let the tenant know when you plan to do it. Take notes and pictures of the rental. The more documentation you have, the easier it will be to justify your repair costs. t
3. Fill Out Move-In/Move-Out Form
To keep the management of your property simple, create a single checklist sheet for move-in and move-out. Take pictures of the property before each tenant moves in. This gives you a record of the exact condition of the property when each tenant moves in. Walk through the property with the tenant when they move in. Make notes about the condition of the property. Take note of any issues the tenant points out.
When it is time for the tenant to move out, you can pull out this checklist sheet. This makes it simple to compare the condition of the rental property from move-in to move-out day. It also minimizes the amount of paperwork you have to keep track of. Should the tenant question your property assessment, you can provide them with the agreed-upon condition on your checklist sheet.
4. Determine Repairs
Once you have completed the walk-through, you can create a task list for the property. Some items will be standard cleaning and refreshing to prepare the property for the next tenant. Other items will focus on the long-term maintenance of the property. Then the third category of items are those that are caused by the tenant. You cannot keep the security deposit for routine wear and tear tasks or for long-term property improvements. However, you may be able to keep security deposit money for tenant-caused damages.
5. Return Tenant’s Security Deposit
Landlords must follow Texas Landlord-tenant law by returning a tenant’s security deposit on or before 30 days after the tenant moves out. If you need to make repairs that warrant keeping all or part of the security deposit, you must provide the tenant with a description of the damages and the charge for the repair.
The tenant must provide a forwarding address for the landlord to be required to return the security deposit. However, not providing a forwarding address doesn’t mean they forfeit their rights. You must return the security deposit if they come back at some point in the future to obtain it. Because of this, it is important to get a forwarding address to close out accounts.
Follow Your Landlord’s Move-Out Checklist
Having a single move-out checklist sheet that you use for each tenant ensures consistency. You reduce the risk of missing a crucial part of the inspection. A standardized inspection sheet also ensures consistency from one tenant to the next. This reduces the risk of a tenant claiming discrimination or questionable landlord practices.
Take the stress and pressure off your shoulders by letting our property managers handle your move-in and move-out checks.
