When a renter has finally signed his name on the lease to rent your property, you have from that moment to the beginning of the lease to make sure that everything is all set. A last assessment of the property before the renter moves in not only assure him that his unit is in excellent condition, but will also help you have peace of mind that your investment is safeguarded.
The minute the renter puts his name on the lease agreement of your rental property, you have to take this day until before he moves into the rental to do some last-minute organization. By performing final inspections prior to move-in day, you are making sure that everything in the rental is in great shape and works well, and you’re assured that your investment is protected.
Although you have taken steps to get the apartment or condo for rent ready for when you were still showing it, some testing and checking is still necessary to be sure that things will go as smoothly as possible. Before letting the tenant move into the unit, here are some things that deserve to have a second look.
Cleanliness
If the tenant sees the apartment or condo in shambles, he might have second thoughts about moving in. Evaluate every inch of the property; depending on how well or how badly the place looks when your previous tenant left will tell you how deep the cleaning should be. If the last occupant was nice enough to leave the place relatively clean, you can do with some sweeping and mopping. Should the opposite be true, you will need to call reinforcements (aka a cleaning company) to do the ‘dirty’ job. In the event that the previous tenant’s child fancied himself Van Gogh and expressed his talent on the walls, cover up his artwork with fresh paint. Get rid of unpleasant smells, whether from cigarette smoke or Rover, by ventilating the unit.
Pests
Infestation of pests like ants, mice, termites and roaches should be taken care of immediately. Not only will this protect your tenants from the health hazards that these creatures can bring; it will also prevent further damage to your property. Getting a professional exterminator is your safest bet in getting rid of these things; no rat poison or feet stomping will kill whatever lurks in the walls and under the floorboards.
Locks
To make sure that your new tenant will be safe in the rental, make sure that you change the locks. If you don’t replace the locks and the last renter didn’t give back his set of keys, there is a chance that he might attempt to rob from or harm the new tenant. You can also make the new renter feel even safer if you take the initiative of installing a door chain or a deadbolt.
Others
Take care of anything that the new tenant noted during the showing, like broken light switches or a busted shower head. Test out any appliances that you’re renting out with the unit to make sure that they’re not broken. Furthermore, check to see if smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and other safety devices are working well.
When you take the initiative in handling these errands, you will be viewed as a great landlord, and you can also keep any further damage from occurring to your apartment or condo.
Staying Safe in Your Apartment
If you’re still in the process of looking for an apartment, make security one of your priorities, and be sure to let the landlord know any safety issues you may have about his apartment. While renting a unit, don’t be a victim to anyone; always pay attention to the things that you’re doing and keep an eye out for anything and anyone shady around your apartment.
Relocating With Your Children
Taking these suggestions to heart will help make sure that they won’t dread moving away and will look forward to it instead.
Assessing a Buyer’s Purchase Offer
Homeowners who put their houses up for sale before know all too well that you shouldn’t expect to get exactly the amount that you put on your property. With this in mind, some sellers might settle for a buyer’s offer even if it’s less than what they want, particularly if their home has been in the market for a long time.
