It might be fun to move into a new Eado rental house. What steps should you take to secure your security deposit? A walk-through check after moving in. You should conduct a walkthrough regardless of whether your landlord provides you with a checklist. Use the following advice to get the most out of your move-in walkthrough.
Get Personal
An in-person walkthrough is incomparable to anything. The property may have been inspected for you, according to a friendly Eado property manager, but you should still make sure everything is in order. Even while the majority of landlords won’t intentionally try to mislead you, you might still find maintenance or other problems that weren’t mentioned in the report. If you do not thoroughly inspect every element of your rental property, you may end up paying to fix something that was damaged before you moved in.
Use a Checklist
To make the most of your move-in walkthrough, you must investigate each area of your rental home thoroughly. Use a walkthrough checklist to ensure that nothing has been overlooked. Some property managers may offer you a checklist, while others may not. If not, there are numerous lists and manuals available for download online. It’s necessary to have an inventory because it will help you focus your walkthrough and make sure nothing is missed. Moreover, you can utilize your checklist for comparison purposes when you move.
Check for Potential Hazards
Make sure to conduct a complete move-in inspection by using a checklist. It is also essential to identify any potential health and safety hazards that may not be immediately apparent. For instance, be sure the appliances and smoke detectors in the new rental home are functioning properly. Ask for proof of the presence of lead paint or asbestos if your landlord hasn’t already given it to you. Before actually moving into a rental property, it is crucial to learn everything there is to know about these hazards, which can create major health difficulties over time.
Document Everything
It takes more than just crossing things off to make the most of your move-in inspection. You must diligently and fully document every part of the property’s state before moving in to properly protect your security deposit from erroneous repair charges. Take down notes, either on the checklist or on a separate page as well as keep track of condition issues, locations, and others, no matter how little. While most landlords won’t try to make you pay to repair the entire kitchen floor because of one broken area of the linoleum, others might. Taking photographs of the property as you tour it is a second effective method. Make certain to take a variety of close-up and wide-angle views and to store your photographs in a safe area.
Report Maintenance Issues
Report any maintenance issues you find as soon as you’ve finished your walkthrough and documentation. Damaged toilet seats, broken blinds, dripping faucets, and defective light switches or outlets might not seem like a huge concern, but if something is broken or not working before you move in, you have to alert the property manager right away. Send them a letter to ensure you have proof of the reported problems. This will shield you from unfair accusations and safeguard your security deposit once you vacate.
Attempting to make the most of your move-in walkthrough does need some more work, but it’s beneficial. Nothing but diligently documenting the condition of your rental home upon move-in can ensure you receive your security deposit returned in full.
Are you trying to find a new house? Real Property Management Heritage has the one for you! You can browse our listings online or call us at 832-701-0766.
Originally Published on July 17, 2020
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