Rental Property Move-In Checklist Property Address Apartment: Fill & Download for Free

Having a new tenant move into your property can be stressful for both the tenant and landlord. Having a checklist of items that must be addressed before the tenant moves in can help make the transition easier and ensure you do not miss any important steps. Here are ten things you should address prior to having a new tenant move into your rental.1. Repair Any Damage or Health and Safety IssuesA landlord is obligated to maintain the rental property. Before a tenant moves in, you will want to repair any existing damage, health, or safety issues at the property.Damage:Damage could include a hole in the wall or a broken window lock.Safety Issues:Safety issues include verifying that there are two forms of exit from the unit and that all carbon monoxide and smoke detectors are working.Health Issues:Health issues include checking for signs of mould and making sure there are no lead-based paint hazards for buildings constructed before 1978.12. Clean the PropertyCleaning is especially important if you are doing an apartment turnover, which means there was a previous tenant living in the unit. You will want to make sure the unit is thoroughly cleaned, especially areas such as the tub, toilet, stove, and refrigerator. Vacuum or sweep to remove any additional debris.You should also have the property exterminated before the tenant move-in even if there is no noticeable problem.3. Look for Issues With Heat, Plumbing, or ElectricalBefore a tenant moves in, you must make sure all utilities are working. You will want to make sure the heat works in all rooms, that there are no clogs or leaks in the plumbing, and that the outlets and overhead lights in every room are operational. These are necessities that a tenant needs to maintain their quality of life.4. Review and Sign Lease With TenantYou should go over the lease agreement with the tenant—section by section—so that they completely understand what they are agreeing to. Once you have gone over the entire agreement with the tenant and answered any questions, you and the tenant should sign and date the lease agreement.5. Collect First Month’s Rent and Security DepositYou should always collect the first month’s rent and the entire security deposit before the tenant moves into the unit. The exception to collecting the first month's rent prior to move in would be if the tenant is receiving government assistance, such as Section 8. Section 8 will send you the check after the tenant has moved into the unit.6. Have Necessary Property Inspections CompletedDepending on your town’s laws, the unit may have to be inspected by a home inspector before a tenant can move in. This inspection is done so the town can issue you a Certificate of Habitability (also known as a Certificate of Occupancy). Some towns only require this inspection the first time the unit is rented, some towns require it every five years and some require it every time a new tenant moves into the unit. Make sure you know your town’s rules.If you are renting to a Section 8 tenant, the apartment will have to be inspected by a Section 8 inspector to make sure it meets their health and safety standards. Section 8 requires the unit to be inspected every year that the Section 8 tenant lives there.37. Change LocksBefore a new tenant moves in, you should always change the locks on the doors. This is done for the safety of the tenant and to protect you from liability.You do not want an old tenant to have the keys to the new tenant’s apartment. Spend the $20 on a new lock to avoid any issues.8. Go Through the Move-In ChecklistOn the tenant’s actual move-in day, you should go over the move-in checklist which describes the condition of the property as a whole and of each room in detail. You should have the tenant sign and date this checklist. The move-in checklist is important as it allows you to compare the condition of the property when the tenant moves in, to the condition of the property when the tenant moves out.9. Provide Tenant With Your Contact InformationYou should provide the tenant with your contact information. This is how the tenant should reach you if they have a question or complaint. It can be a phone number or an email address, but make sure they know to only contact you during normal business hours, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. unless it is an absolute emergency.10. Go Through Any Specific Tenant Requests or ConditionsThere are situations where a tenant may have a specific request or special requirements that are not typical. Some examples could be:Having the apartment painted a certain colourInstalling a washer/dryer prior to move-inReceiving a government assistance housing voucherA disability that requires a service animalIn situations that are more desires than necessities, it is up to you to decide if you would like to honour the request. You should make sure to add any special requests as a clause in your lease agreement. For example, if you are going to charge the tenant $500 to paint the apartment, you need to include this in your lease so that you have written proof that the tenant has agreed to these terms.

A Checklist for Landlords With Tenants Moving OutA checklist can help ease the stress of tenant move-out. It makes both sides aware of the expectations. Landlords can customize this checklist to meet the specific needs of their property. The items on this list should include the condition the rental property should be left in, as well as any additional move-out procedures and obligations. Your tenant should provide notice that they intend to move out of your rental unit. Most often this is in the form of a letter but you may specify it be delivered in another format in your lease.Check with your local landlord/tenant laws to see how much notice the tenant should give before they vacate a rental unit.Move-Out ChecklistA tenant move-out checklist is a form that landlords should attach as a rider (also called an addendum) to the original lease agreement. This checklist provides instructions for the tenant on the procedures and the tasks they need to complete when they vacate your property.Every landlord's move-out checklist can be different. Some like to break down detailed procedures by room, while others only provide general terms of what is expected.Why It's ImportantMove-out checklists are especially important when it comes to the security deposit. Security deposit disputes are a big issue between landlords and tenants. If the tenant understands the proper procedures for move-out, including the condition they are supposed to leave the rental property in, it will help minimize these issues. Following these instructions, and adhering to the terms of their lease, will help ensure the tenant receives their security deposit back in full.Tailor your checklist to meet your own specific needs and the specific needs of your property.Sample Move-Out Checklist_____ Please call 3-5 days prior to your move-out to schedule your inspection_____ Apartment must be broom swept clean, mopped, and vacuumed_____ All kitchen(s) and bathroom(s) must be completely clean_____ All walls must be clean and painted the same color as before tenancy began (Unless Tenant has been given prior written permission from Landlord)_____ Vacuum and clean any/all carpet(s)_____ Clean all windows_____ Remove all of your personal possessions and belongings._____ No trash shall be left behind; Do NOT leave garbage at the curb_____ If applicable, all exterior areas shall be cleaned of debris and left clean_____ If applicable, exterior lawn and landscaping shall be presentable_____ Leave all kitchen appliances, window treatments, phone jacks, etc._____ All keys shall be returned at the inspection_____ All light fixtures are to work properly with working light bulbs_____ All electricity is to work properly_____ All plumbing is to be free of any leaks or blockages_____ All heating is to be working properly_____ All smoke alarm(s) and carbon monoxide alarm(s) shall be working properly_____ Leave ALL utilities on until your move-out inspection has completed_____ Make landlord aware of any damage or issues inside the rental unitAll of the aforementioned items need to be done PRIOR to your move-out inspection so that you can RECEIVE YOUR FULL SECURITY DEPOSIT BACK (less any withholding from earlier tenancy). Any and all repairs, repainting, trash removal, cleaning, and/or any other expenses that are attributed to restoring your home to its condition prior to your tenancy will be deducted from your Security Deposit.If additional money is needed to restore said home, Landlord will send Tenant a bill and/or file a legal suit for said money in court. Your Security Deposit will be mailed within 30 days of your move-out inspection to the address you provide Landlord (if no new address is given, any remaining Security Deposit money will be mailed to the current mailing address and the Post Office will be responsible for forwarding any/all mail to your new listed address). Please also note the replace/repair cost(s) for items you leave in disarray.Please remember to deliver your home in the same condition it was in prior to your tenancy. This will ensure YOU RECEIVE THE MOST MONEY POSSIBLE!Good luck with your move.Tenant(s) ________________________________ Date _________________________Tenant(s) ________________________________ Date _________________________

Formalize and legally-protect myself as a landlord for a business with written paperwork for every single step in the entire process, from advertisement, to application, through rental agreement, all the way through move-in and move-out apartment condition checklists.Here is my packet of documents:———————————————Roadmap.docADU ad.docTenant Screening and Requirements.docRental Applicationv2.docRental Verification of Existing or Past Tenantv2.docProspective Tenant Holding Deposit Receipt.docNotice of Multiple Prospective Tenants Selection Criteria.docExpediated Handling.docxProspective Tenant Rejection Letter.docRENTAL AGREEMENTv5.docRENTAL AGREEMENT OR RESIDENTIAL LEASEv5.docNew Tenant Checklist.docBasement Apartment Unit Condition Checklist.xlsNotice to Pay Rent or Quit.docFavorableReference.docThe Roadmap is an overview of the entire process and explains the timing of the other documents.ADU ad.doc is the advertisement for the Auxiliary Dwelling UnitTenant Screening and Requirements.doc is an internal confidential document that I established which details all the minimum parameters and combinations of those parameters that quality a prospective renter for tenancy. This includes things like credit scores, length of employment, length of rental history, amount of security deposit, minimum debt-to-income ratios. This keeps me on-track with not getting too lax in the approval process and is another checklist to follow to ensure that I remember things like background checks, and this also provides the process on how to gather all of the information that I need for evaluation.Rental Applicationv2.doc is the formal written application, just like you would see at any apartment complex.Rental Verification of Existing or Past Tenantv2.doc is a form that I send to the prospective tenant’s prior landlord.Prospective Tenant Holding Deposit Receipt.doc is a deposit that a prospective tenant makes while I continue to verify their income, credit and complete background checks.Notice of Multiple Prospective Tenants Selection Criteria.doc is a disclaimer document that I give to all prospective tenants that states that I can deny any prospective tenant on the basis that I can opt to select the most qualified tenant, not just any tenant who meets the minimum qualifications. This allows me to wait for a reasonable period of time to gather enough applications to have a small pool to choose from.Expediated Handling.docx is a document that I provide a prospective tenant if they want to fast-track the process and gather for me: their credit report, letter from their current employer stating income and length of employment, pull their own criminal background check, and otherwise do all of the things that I would end up doing. If a prospective tenant can do this work for me, saving me time, then I can save them time by providing them a quick approval, provide that they meet all the provisions in Tenent Screening and Requirements.doc.Prospective Tenant Rejection Letter.doc is a document that I provide prospective tenants if they do not qualify or if they are not selected.RENTAL AGREEMENTv5.doc is a formal written legal document that (along with all of the documents listed here) has been vetted by my personal attorney to be in compliance with all federal, state and local laws, including the Federal Fair Housing Act. This legal document is signed, dated and serves as a legally-binding contract and covers almost any possible situation that ever could happen. With Colorado legalizing recreational marijuana as well as conceal carry laws, I address both of these laws and how they fit into the rental contract. Things like “no incandescent marijuana grow operations allowed, or the sale or manufacture of…” are language that appears in the rental agreement.New Tenant Checklist.doc is a checklist of what to ensure that I complete prior to the tenant’s move in date, that includes things like carpet cleaning, general cleaning, repairs, mailbox key, house keys and anything else that the tenant will need upon taking occupancy.Basement Apartment Unit Condition Checklist.xls is a checklist of each item and part of the apartment structure that is evaluated upon walk-thru for both move-in and move-out and any existing or subsequent damages are noted or taken out of the security deposit, if applicable.Notice to Pay Rent or Quit.doc is a legal document that is only used if the tenant does not pay rent or breaches the rental agreement.FavorableReference.doc is a reference documented potentially provided to a tenant’s subsequent prospective landlords after move-out, if applicable and if so, upon request.—-In my opinion, doing any less is running your rental business half-assed. Rules need to be communicated, in-writing, and nothing should be ambiguous. Introducing ambiguity often is quickly followed by a tenant encroaching as far as they can until that very ambiguity is clarified and limits are set.If you tell your tenant that they can use the outside hot tub, and your un-communicated expectation that they will be using the hot tub alone and quietly - the reality is that unless specified, they can just as easily see that entitlement to include throwing a party with loud music, booze, drugs and hookers. Imagine the worst and be prepared to author limits that define what is and what is not acceptable. Your standards are not their standards.These documents do more than just serve as a reactive legal firewall: they effectively “run” the business, so that my role as landlord is merely to execute everything uniformly and not deviate in how things are done. If in doubt, I have already established rules and guidelines for myself to follow - there is nothing to have to think about, only tasks to do and complete.These documents are the communication vehicle between my former self that is the leadership, my current self which is the property manager, and both prospective and current tenants. I even include a provision in my own internal confidential documents that state the extremely-narrow conditions that would allow me to consider rent-forgiveness - and this is nearly impossible for any tenant to quality. This keeps me in-check from not getting soft in my old age and entertaining can’t-pay-rent-sob-stories.It is important to have a business plan and have your shit-together, to run your operation smoothly, to project strength, leadership, professionalism and credibility to your prospective and current tenants. Failure to project these qualities invite folks to only take advantage of you, of any ambiguity or angle that one can to their gain. A robust process backed up by professional documentation is one of many firewalls that protect you as the landlord, both pre-emptively, as well as limit any legal exposure.You have to let folks know who is in-charge and set the tone accordingly. Their occupancy does not afford anyone the latitude to be making ownership-type decisions, or avoid taking responsibility altogether, and this must be explicitly laid out in writing. No friendship deals, no deals based on handshakes like in the “Good ‘Ol Days”, no salt-of-the-Earth folksy bullshit, no politics or ideologies - but plain fucking by-the-book, to the letter of the law business and no fucking bullshit. No sob stories. No excuses. No justifications and no problems. Never on the landlord’s shoulders.Nice, polite, professional, who offers a service - as the party who owns the equity interest in the property, the one where the buck stops here. Underneath that polished professional exterior is also a viscous pitbull, presented indirectly and peripherally, that is understood that no one wants to fuck with - you not fucking around - this is business and you mean business. As a landlord, you are fair, honest and forthright in all of your dealings - but as soon as you smell bullshit, you can become a bastard enforcer and have retained legal council a mere phone call away on speed-dial, who have Process Servers triggered, and who are on a first name basis with the local Sheriff’s department. Heavy handed tactics only need an ever-so-slight glimpse that cautiously eludes that YOU HAVE GOT THINGS HANDLED, AND CAN STEP UP TO THE PLATE TO MAKE SURE THAT THINGS QUICKLY GET AND STAY HANDLED. This way, folks do not take advantage of you, and if they are foolish enough to try, you even already have a plan in place to ensure that business gets handled in that arena too.The best way to handle an renter who cannot afford to pay his rent is to generate the perception well in-advance, that the “Dog ate my homework” excuse is not going to fly with you. If he knows that you are no pushover, and he might not like the outcome if he tries to score a freebie out of you, then he might just tend to solving his own problems with his own resources (and not your resources), which are problems that you will never have to hear about, as he continues to pay his rent on-time.