Get Personal
An in-person walkthrough is incomparable to anything. A nice Gallatin property manager may inform you that they have thoroughly checked the property for you, but you must still check for yourself. Although the bulk of landlords won’t be trying to fool you on purpose, you still might find maintenance or other issues 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 use of your move-in walkthrough, it is essential to evaluate each component of your rental home with attention. Use a walkthrough checklist to make sure nothing has been overlooked. Sometimes property managers will provide a list; others may not. There are several lists and guidelines available for download online if yours doesn’t. Making an inventory can help you focus your walkthrough and ensure 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. 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 detectors in your new rental house, for instance, to confirm that they are operating properly. If your landlord did not give paperwork on the existence of lead paint or asbestos, make sure to request it. It’s crucial to learn everything you can about the rental home before moving in because these compounds have the potential to cause major health problems over time.
Document Everything
To maximize your move-in inspection, you must do more than merely cross-off items. 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. Make numerous notes, either directly on the checklist or on a separate paper, including any condition issues, locations, and other details. Most landlords won’t try to make you pay to redo the entire kitchen floor because of a single damaged linoleum, but some may. Using a camera to snap images of the place while you explore is a great approach. Keep your pictures in a secure location and take a range of close-up and wide-angle pictures.
Report Maintenance Issues
After you have finished your walkthrough and documentation, submit any maintenance problems right away. Broken toilet seats or blinds, dripping faucets, and malfunctioning light switches or outlets may not seem serious, but if anything is broken or not functioning properly before you move in, you must notify the property manager right away. Give them something in writing if you can to make sure you have documentation of the reported problems. This will shield you from unfair accusations and safeguard your security deposit once you vacate.
Getting the most out of your move-in walkthrough involves some work, but it is rewarding. Nothing but diligently documenting the condition of your rental home upon move-in can ensure you receive your security deposit returned in full.
Looking for a new residence? Real Property Management Bozeman has the one for you! You can browse our listings online or call us at 406-586-2226.
Originally Published on July 17, 2020