How to Carryout a Walk Through Inspection of Rental Property
A closing walk through inspection before a tenant leaves is necessary to avoid having any disputes. It isn’t easy to say “goodbye” to a reliable tenant. But when the time comes for your good tenant to move away there is no escaping the final inspection. Did they take good care of the rental home or did they leave behind damage? Should they get their complete security deposit back or should you use some of it for carpet replacement? These are things you can discuss face to face as you do the walk-through. To be sure that you are properly prepared, here are three things you should bring with you to conduct the walk-through.
The Tenant
If it’s possible, the most important thing to bring with you to the walk through inspection is the departing tenant. This way, you can point out any damage since moving in to the rental property. The advantage is that this ensures the tenant is aware of what portion, if any, of the security deposit they will get back. Since they know up front what you’re going to charge them for, there will be less of a chance of a dispute a few months down the road.
A Checklist
When doing a walk through inspection, bring a checklist of things you don’t want to forget about. The checklist should include paint, bathroom fixtures and mirrors, appliances, walls and anything else you want to be sure and inspect so you don’t forget. If you can, make a copy of the completed list so you can provide one to the tenant and keep the original for yourself.
A Camera
There isn’t any better way to prove the damages than taking pictures of them. If there’s a bad stain on the carpet, use the camera. If there’s a hole in a door, use the camera. Try to find a camera that shows the date on the photos. Most digital cameras can be set to do this. Having a date showing on the picture gives you a better piece of evidence and shows meticulous record-keeping. Keep all of the pictures in a file together with the checklist and whatever other documentation you have pertaining to the lease.
These things are good when doing a walk through ispection with tenants when they leave, regardless of how long and smooth, or short and difficult, your business relationship with them has been. Unfortunately, it sometimes happens that tenants just pack up and leave without notice. When that happens to you, then naturally you will do the walk through inspection without them. The way in which your documentation will be completed and filed, though, is the same. Now as long as you have the techniques down, do a walk-through with new tenants so they can point out any damages beforehand so you can be fair with them and assure them that they don’t get unduly charged for it when they eventually move out. Doing a good walk-through is the best way to avoid having conflict about damages and security deposits after a tenant has moved out.
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