Whether you are a property owner renting your home out for the first time or you have already been through the renting process, it is important to always have your home ready when new tenants are moving in. Not only will this allow the moving in and out process to be as smooth as possible, but it will make your tenants very happy! To ease this transition, we have come up with an easy checklist regarding what should be done to the home.
- Repair any safety or health damages- Health issues include checking signs for mold and safety issues include making sure there are two forms of exit from the house. This will also ensure that you pass any property inspections required before the tenant moves in.
- Clean the property- This step is especially important if a tenant has just moved out of your property. Making sure the refrigerator, bath tub, toilet, and stove has just been properly cleaned is important and will minimize complaints.
- Smoke Detectors– The legal requirement is for 1 functioning detector per bedroom/sleeping place. They may be hard wired or battery operated.
- Carbon Monoxide Alarm– If your home has fossil fuel burning heaters, appliances, fireplaces, or an attached garage, you must have a functioning carbon monoxide detector on each floor of the home. One is not needed IF your home is all electric, you do not have a fireplace/woodstove, and no attached garage.
- Range– Ovens and all stove burners must be in working condition and all control knobs must be present. Ranges manufactured after 1991 must have anti-tip bracket installed.
- Toilet– Must be tightly attached to the floor and have no leaks
- Windows– All windows must have locks; they also cannot be cracked or broken.
- Light fixtures– There must be globes/coverings on all light fixtures, inside and outside of the house.
- Doors– Deadbolts are required on all exterior doors. Door glides are required on all sliding closet and shower doors.
- Utilities– All utilities should be left on while property is vacant. Property Owners should provide new tenants with instructions/contact information on which utilities need to be switched into their names.
- Address– The address of the home must be visible from the street.
- Collect first month’s rent and security deposit– You should always collect the first month’s rent and the entire security deposit before the tenant moves into the your property. If the tenant does not pay on time the first month, it increases the likelihood that they will be late with their rental payments the following months.
By making sure each bullet point is checked off, you will reduce the rate of maintenance and complaint calls from tenants when they move in. If you are unable to complete this list on your own, make sure to hire trustworthy handymen, contractors, etc.
Happy Moving!