It might be fun to move into a new Locust Grove rental house. Also, now is the moment to safeguard your security deposit; how can you do this? A checkup of the house. Regardless of whether your landlord offers a walkthrough checklist, you should still conduct one. It’s crucial to do the following tips to get the most out of your move-in tour.
Get Personal
An in-person walkthrough is incomparable to anything. You should still conduct your own inspections even if a helpful Locust Grove property manager claims to have checked the home for you. 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. You risk having to pay to fix something that was damaged before you moved in if you don’t thoroughly inspect every component of your rental property.
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 make sure nothing has been overlooked. Some property managers may offer you a checklist, while others may not. If yours does not, there are numerous lists and guidelines available for download online. An inventory is key because it guides your walkthrough and ensures you don’t overlook anything. Additionally, once you move out, you can compare items on your checklist.
Check for Potential Hazards
Make sure to conduct a complete move-in inspection by using a checklist. Additionally, any potential risks to one’s health and safety hazards that might not be apparent at first look should be noted. Test the appliances and smoke alarms, for instance, to make sure they are in good working order in your new rental house. If your landlord did not give paperwork on the existence of lead paint or asbestos, make sure to request it. Before settling in, find out everything you can about the rental home because these compounds have the potential to create major health problems.
Document Everything
To maximize your move-in inspection, you must do more than merely cross-off items. To completely shield your security deposit against unjustified repair expenses, you must document every part of the property’s condition before moving in. Take copious notes—whether on the checklist or a separate page—about the conditions, the locations, and other details, no matter how minor. 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. Additionally, taking pictures of the property as you tour it is a terrific idea. To ensure that your images are secure, take a variety of close-up and wider shots.
Report Maintenance Issues
Once you have concluded your walkthrough and record keeping, submit any maintenance issues immediately. Broken blinds or toilet seats, leaking faucets, and busted light switches or outlets may seem inconsequential, but you must contact your property manager immediately if any of these items are damaged or malfunctioning before moving in. To make sure you have documentation of the reported difficulties, send them something in writing if at all possible. This will guard your security deposit when you vacate in addition to shielding you from unfair charges.
Trying to make the most of your move-in walkthrough does demand additional effort, but it is well worth it. Nothing but diligently documenting the condition of your rental home upon move-in can ensure you receive your security deposit returned in full.
Do you want a new place to live? Real Property Management Anchor has the one for you! You can browse our listings online or call us at 770-506-1237.
Originally Published on July 17, 2020
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