One of the best ways to achieve this is by having documentation of all your state’s landlord-tenant laws. This conclusion is obviously not favorable for any of the parties and should be avoided at all costs. If the laws are not followed closely, the whole process can end in a hefty lawsuit. This means following all of the state’s laws as well as the local laws. Lastly, it is extremely important to make sure that throughout everything that you do with the tenant, you are following all the laws. The notes, pictures and videos can be used in court to dispute claims made against you or if your landlord tries to keep your security deposit or evict you. This means taking pictures or videos of any issue you see with the property before and after you move out. Everything needs to be in writing or accompanied by physical evidence. Document All IssuesĪs we mentioned earlier, it’s critical to document all of the issues with the property during the inspection. Landlords and tenants must operate based on landlord-tenant laws in the relevant location to ensure that everything is in compliance with the law. As a tenant, though, it’s important to understand that damage beyond normal wear and tear will probably affect you and your security deposit. Carpets, stairs, blinds, bathroom tiles and appliances are all examples of things that will suffer from normal wear and tear. The carpet gets a little dirtier over time. This is extremely important because it could cause a lot of trouble between the landlord and the tenant down the road if things aren’t clear upfront.Īll properties experience normal wear and tear. Tenants and landlords need to differentiate between normal wear and tear and actual damage. Determine the Difference Between Normal Wear and Tear and DamagesĪn ultimate checklist wouldn’t be an ultimate checklist without this critical caveat. To add another layer of protection, both parties should sign the form after the tenant move-in inspection is complete. By working through the list together, both parties know about everything on the property, and have a record of their joint inspection. It also helps minimize the risk of disputes when the time comes for you to move out. This form helps you agree on the condition of things in real time. It’s in both parties’ best interest to use this form and look at the entire rental property together. These responsibilities can be things like changing the batteries in the carbon monoxide detectors, keeping areas of the rental unit clean, or explaining how to use different appliances in the rental. Questions about how to report maintenance issues or what you can expect if an appliance isn’t working are good examples of things you should ask.Ī good landlord will also use this opportunity to clarify your responsibilities. This ensures that the condition of the entire rental property checklist is completely inspected, and nothing is left unchecked.Īs you cover the checklist with your landlord, ask questions about the property, its features, your landlord’s expectations and anything else you feel is relevant. For larger properties that may need extra columns for additional bedrooms or bathrooms, you will need to bring a few extra copies of the template.Signature lines for a couple of tenants (you and whoever else may be necessary).Fields with your forwarding address to allow the landlord to follow up and ask questions, if needed.Additional fields to help add personalization as you and your landlord inspect each room.Columns that track of the costs of repairs when you move out.Column for the condition of feature when you move out.
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