Move-Out Tips for Landlords

Making sure your property is ready for the next tenant

At Oak City Properties, we understand that being a landlord during the “Move-Out ” process is stressful. On the one hand, you have the responsibility of helping the current tenant understand what needs to be done to vacate the home. On the other hand, you have to start getting the property ready for a new tenant. To help alleviate some of the anxiety when your tenants are moving out, we created a few helpful tips that can better prioritize what needs to be done for the new tenant.

Finalize your current tenant’s “move-out” process

When your tenant is moving out of your rental property, make sure to set aside some time to discuss what needs to be completed. Inform the tenant via email, mail, or a phone call that the home should be cleaned and all personal items removed before the final walkthrough. This might be a good time to also discuss with the tenant how the security deposit works. Before your tenant moves out, make sure to conduct a formal walkthrough and document any concerns.

Complete general repairs or hire a professional service

Contractors, plumbers, electricians, the list goes on, but the most important thing is to get whomever you need to get the home back in working condition. It is best to have any issues addressed before the new tenants acquire the property. Make sure to look at every room and create a list of the items you can complete on your own and what projects require a hired professional.

Think about giving the home a fresh coat of paint

Giving your rental home a new coat of paint will complete three tasks

Get the home ready to market for a new tenant
Get more individuals interested in your property
Eliminate any minor issue (scuffs, dings, holes)

It is not necessary for a landlord in the state of NC to paint the home between renters but it does present a fresh, clean start for the new tenant.

Schedule a professional cleaning service

Many landlords require that the tenant pays for a carpet cleaning when moving out, but that doesn’t mean a good thorough professional cleaning of the whole property isn’t in order. Take the time to really clean the home and get it 100% ready for the next tenant.

General outside maintenance

The exterior living space is just as important to maintain as the home. Make sure to take the time to complete yard work, prune shrubs/plants, and give the property a good once over.

Maintain your HVAC system and change filters

Now that your tenant is out of the home, it is a great idea to get your HVAC system serviced and change all the filters in the home. General maintenance on your HVAC should be done yearly, so this really shouldn’t be an additional cost to you as the landlord.

Re-key the property

It is best practice to re-key the home when new tenants move in. Yes, you want to believe that the past renter returned all of the keys and has no malintent, but no one can be certain. When you take the time to re-key your rental property, you are also taking the time to show your new tenant that you are willing to go above and beyond to make sure they feel safe.

Additional blogs that may help

Want to read more about the moving process from both a tenant and landlord point-of-view? Feel free to take a look at some of our other blogs.

Need help selling, buying, or managing your rental home?

At Oak City Properties, we are a full-service property management company and provide services to help investors, homeowners, and landlords. With over 25 years of experience, we provide 5 Star Service for our clients whether you are buying a home, selling a property, or in need of someone to manage a rental property. Want to learn more about what we do? Visit our website at https://oakcityproperties.com.customers.tigertech.net/ or call us at (919) 232-9222.