In the real estate world, your move-out process is critical. If you don’t follow the correct steps and procedures, you could face fines and even a legal battle with tenants if they are unhappy with their final walkthrough.
Having a solid system in place will make this process easier for everyone involved. Here’s how to make sure your company is doing everything right:
Provide a Cleaning Checklist
A cleaning checklist is an excellent tool to use when you’re moving out. It’s helpful in ensuring that the property is presentable and ready for a new tenant while also providing your former tenants with a detailed list of what needs to be done before they leave.
As per the experts at MRI software, “Using a checklist will also give both sides peace of mind, as it can help prevent any misunderstandings or disagreements that may arise during the move-out process.”
Here are some things you should keep in mind when creating your own cleaning checklist:
- Use an easy-to-read format (bullet points work well) so that both parties know exactly what’s expected of them without having to read through too much information.
- Provide space for tenants’ signatures at the bottom of each page—this way, they’ll know everything has been signed off on!
Get the Forwarding Address of tenants
Getting the forwarding address of tenants is an important step in the move-out process, but it can be tricky. If you don’t have this information, your tenant could disappear into thin air and leave you with no way to contact them when they inevitably miss their final rent check (or any other billing notice).
Be careful with your documentation
In the event of a dispute, having clear and accurate records is critical in helping resolve a conflict. It’s not just about the moving company—you want to be able to prove that you did or did not leave certain items behind as well as when they left. Keep in mind that it can take months for a dispute over damages to be resolved, so having good documentation now will help avoid problems later on down the road.
A property management software can help you keep a record of all the required documents. Also, remember that these records are necessary for tax purposes; if you don’t keep track of all the details regarding your move-out process, it could mean facing serious penalties from the IRS.
Be thorough in your final walkthrough
Making sure everything is in working order and that you haven’t left any damage behind is important, but don’t forget to check for missing items or damages as well. Double-check for damages before leaving. If there are any issues with the property after moving out, it can be difficult to get them fixed if you have already moved out! Make sure everything is taken care of before leaving by doing a thorough walkthrough on move-out day.
If you follow these tips, then your move-out process will be a lot smoother. You will have less to worry about and more time to spend on other important tasks.
