The landlord laws of many states necessitate conducting a moveout inspection before their tenants leave the rental space. Suppose you are a tenant planning to move out. In that case, it is better to check the laws of the state you reside in because after you pass on the notice of intent to vacate, your landlord will likely schedule an inspection. Even if it’s not a legal requirement, some landlords prefer conducting it to benefit the occupants and the owners.
In a moveout inspection, landlords and tenants tour the rental unit, checking for any damages or abnormal wear and tear. The landlord compares the property’s current condition to its original state. He checks to see if the renters have made modifications without consulting him beforehand. The purpose behind the inspection is for the landlord to document the current condition of the property – damages to the property done under tenancy result in cuts in the amount of returned security deposit. Sometimes the damage is too expensive and exceeds the amount of the security deposit. Hence the tenants have to pay for it.
- Discuss The Benefits of Inspection
The first step of conducting a moveout inspection is letting your renter know that it’s going to happen. Your tenant may be reluctant to have a moveout inspection before their leave, and rightly so. They would have a lot on their plate, worrying about moving and other related matters. However, hiring a moving company like Moving Options can be a real help. The professional movers will help you to handle everything if you’re short on time or want to reduce stress. Damage coverage is usually included with full-service movers in case your valuables break during packing or transportation. You can also ease it for them by discussing the benefits this inspection would have for them. They will be able to fix damages they didn’t realize were there and safely spend the rest of their time. And, if the injuries get adequately treated and they bring it to the landlord’s attention, they will receive their entire security deposit back. Because if you inspect after they’ve moved, they wouldn’t have the chance to fix damages and hence, make do with the deducted refund. And if they fail to recover the damage, then moveout inspection would help avoid disputes between the two parties.
- Schedule A Move Out Inspection
Scheduling a moveout inspection plays a significant role in ensuring a safe and secure review of the rental space. Some states have regulations as per the landlord laws regarding the inspection, while some don’t. It would be helpful to notify the tenants about the assessment in written form, at least two weeks before the scheduled date. The property owner can take up to three days to thoroughly examine the residence before moving, excluding holidays or weekends. Some states allow the inspection to take place on tenants’ move out or three days after that. It is sometimes helpful, as there are no belongings of the ex-occupants, and damages are in the open. Occasionally, the landowners inspect and review the place all by themselves and document the injuries. They send out a list of all new requirements to the tenants to see for themselves. They can negotiate on the charges mutually.
- Proper Clean-Out
Before the landlord properly conducts the moveout inspection, it is essential that the tenant cleans and sanitizes all the surfaces at the unit. The walls and the windows should be clean, as it would make them appear in their original state. To clean the kitchen or bathroom floors, one should vacuum and shampoo the carpets, curtains, and mop. The shower, toilet, or kitchen appliances should be clean and sanitized to make the place more hygienic and likable for the new tenants. Not only the interior, but the outside portion of the rental unit, such as the patio, driveway, or walkways, should also have proper cleaning. They are the first thing that an outsider would look at, and cleaning would make it easier to identify any damages that need fixing. There should also be no trash or waste inside or outside the house.
- Remove All the Belongings of Tenants
Before carrying on with the inspection, remember to remove all tenants’ belongings, even a pre-furnished space. It will help you see the condition of the place much clearer and analyze the extent of fixing that it needs. This way, the landlords would hide nothing, and they will be satisfied with the inspection. It would be wise to make the tenants aware of the damages present on the residence to begin finding ways to fix them. Some may also want to repaint the walls before new tenants move in, and it would be wise to move the furniture away for that. Removing the tenants’ belongings would also reduce the risk of theft or harm to the staff during the inspection. The tenants would also feel safer about the inspection when their possessions are not a part of it.
- Reset The Place as Before
The rental unit has to be in its original state at the time of arrival for new tenants, and it’s the responsibility of the owner or the inspection team to see through it. The unit should be free of damages so that the new tenants can bear additional expenses. The previous tenants are responsible for freeing the space of any damages and ensuring that the furniture or appliances provided to them are working fine. It is essential to confirm that all light fixtures have functioning bulbs to avoid accidents or discomfort during and after the inspection. It would be best to check the plumbing, heating, electricity, gas supply, and facilities appropriately. It would avoid disagreements between the moving parties. The laws and regulations strictly instructed to check the fire alarms, windows, and door locks to ensure safety when returning the place to its original condition.
- Document The Inspection
It is crucial to document the inspection, if only for you to recheck later. You must see that the documentation is thorough, preferably secured with photos and videos from the examination. It would help you keep references and a checklist of things that are yet to be reviewed and avoid passing them off as normal wear and tear. Complete the documentation after the tenant has successfully moved out so that any damage which wasn’t visible before is apparent. Many landlords have lost total security deposits because tenants cleverly stack boxes to hide repairable cracks.
Conclusion
Conclusively, moving out is an exhausting activity for the tenants, and the landowners should consider it. Negotiation is always the key to repairing damages because it is not always the doings of the tenants; some of them are naturally occurring. There should be a good relationship between both parties to avoid unnecessary disputes.
