Landlord Checklist: 12 Things You Need to Be Prepared for With New Tenants

There are a number of things to take into consideration when it comes to renting out a home. Especially if you’re just starting out as a landlord and it’s your first time putting everything together.

There is a lot to do before renters move in, including finding and vetting potential occupants, making certain that all of the bases have been covered in terms of policies and rental agreements, and ensuring that the property is in a habitable state and ready for their arrival.

However, there is no reason to be anxious about it. The good news is that there are a lot of things that you can do in advance to assist in making the transition smoother, both for yourself and for the new renters who will be moving in. Spending some time making sure that you’ve covered all of your bases before you welcome the new tenants into your rental property is time well spent since getting off to the greatest start possible will go a long way in setting the tone for the rest of your renters’ tenure. This post will take a look at a list of things that you’ll want to be prepared for when dealing with new tenants, and we’ll look at those items. You won’t have to worry about losing your place in the process or forgetting anything if you write it down first and check it again. In light of this, the following is a rundown of a few points that you should keep in mind when renting out your house.

What You Need to Do in Order to Successfully Rent Out Your Property

1. Address all safety concerns and make necessary repairs.

A landlord’s number one concern should be the well-being of their renters. You will need to carry out routine inspections of the property in order to guarantee the well-being of your renters. In addition to this, you should do an inspection before the new renters move in.

Before a new renter moves in, there may be specific safety precautions that you are required to take in advance, depending on the laws of your state. In general, however, landlords are responsible for installing high-quality smoke alarms in their rental properties. In addition, carbon monoxide detectors should be placed in any area that has a fuel-burning appliance, such as the kitchen.

In order for your rental property to be suitable for human habitation, the following things need to be inspected:

• Plumbing, electrical, and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems

• The building infrastructure, including stairs, roofs, floors, and walls

• Hot water heating systems

• Exterior structures and outbuildings

• Vermin and rodent infestations as well as environmental contaminants like mould, lead, and asbestos • Ensure that there are no asbestos, lead, or mould contaminations

• The building infrastructure, including stairs, roofs, floors, and walls

• The building infrastructure, including hot water heating systems

If there was a previous renter, the landlord is responsible for repairing any damage that already exists and addressing any potential hazards. Take a stroll around the entire property and make note of any spots that need maintenance. It could be a tile, window, or lock that has been broken. It could even be a hole in the wall. Check to see sure the carbon monoxide detectors and smoke detectors are functioning properly. Conduct a thorough inspection for any traces of lead or mould. Create a list of everything that is broken and needs to be fixed. Note that if there is any damage that was caused by outgoing tenants or their visitors that goes above and beyond usual wear and tear, then the tenant may be accountable for the repairs. This applies even if the damage did not go beyond what would be considered typical wear and tear. In this scenario, you might be permitted to keep some of the tenant’s security deposit in order to pay for the necessary repairs to the property.

You have the option of performing your own maintenance and repairs or scheduling expert home repair services, but this will depend on the assessment.

2. Establish a Rent Price for Your Property

To ensure that you get the best possible tenants, you need to make sure that the rental unit is priced appropriately. You can obtain an idea about the market rate for your own rental property by comparing the costs of similar rental homes in your neighborhood that are also for rent.

3. Make Sure the Premises Are Clean

A comprehensive cleaning performed by a professional is essential, regardless of whether the rental unit is brand new or has previously been occupied by someone else. As a landlord, it is your duty to ensure that the new home or apartment that you rent out to your renters is tidy. You may have the entire property, including the carpets, cleaned by hiring a professional cleaning company to do the job.

Because it is the first impression that prospective tenants get when they visit the rental property, the curb appeal of your house might be a deal breaker. Therefore, you should make sure that the lawn is cut and that the exterior of the property looks its best. Make sure that the outside is spotless and has been meticulously maintained. Remove any dead plants and weeds, as well as prune the trees and any blooms that need it. If you want your yard to look even better manicured and put together, you should think about using a professional landscaper.

4. Check for problems with the heating, electrical, and plumbing systems.

Before a renter moves in, it is important to check that all of the utilities are in good working order. Check to see that the heating system is operating as it should, and have it serviced if it is over its due date. Make sure that the lights in each room are on and that they are functioning properly by checking them. Those light bulbs should be replaced as soon as possible. Make sure there are no blockages or leaks in your plumbing, and if there are, get them fixed as soon as possible. Be sure to give the shower, the washing machine, the dryer, the refrigerator, and the dishwasher a thorough inspection to ensure that they are all in good working order.

You should also think about getting your Energy Performance Certificate (commonly known as an EPC) or something similar. This certificate demonstrates that your home has achieved a high level of energy efficiency. It is essential for rental adverts to provide EPC ratings. If you have a good rating, you may be able to increase your rent and attract higher-quality tenants. A home that has a low Energy Performance Certificate rating is more difficult to heat in the winter and more expensive to run all year round.

5. Alter the Locks on the Doors

Before a new tenant moves in, you should consider replacing the locks if there were people living in the home previously. This procedure serves not only as a safety precaution for your tenant but also as insurance against any potential legal complications that may arise. Make sure you change the locks on all of the doors that can be opened from the outside. These include the door to the balcony, the front door, the door to the garage, the gate to the side yard, the mailbox, and the outside shed. Although replacing locks every time you acquire a new tenant is a vital security measure, doing so can be time-consuming and expensive. Because of this, a growing number of property managers and landlords are opting to install wireless business door lock systems (keyless access). Because of the way this innovative technology operates, the only method to unlock a door is to use either a keycard or a cell phone.

When a new tenant comes in, landlords who have keyless entry systems can simply alter the tenant’s access codes rather than having to replace the complete lock on the door.

6. Perform a Meticulous Examination of the Applicants

To get started, you should make certain that you give yourself enough time to prepare a nice online application that you can link to on the rental ad.

When you finally get around to posting your rental ads, you may anticipate a large number of inquiries from prospective tenants. The question now is, how can you discover a tenant who is qualified? To begin, you will need to investigate the tenant’s previous renting history, as well as their current work and financial situations.

Is there a point to all of this screening? Absolutely! It will assist you in determining whether or not your tenant is capable of making timely rent payments and adhering to the conditions of the contract. However, you should make sure that each candidate goes through a screening process that is fair and equal, and that you only ask questions that are pertinent to the applicant’s capacity to pay the rent and uphold the terms of the lease.

7. Inquire if there are any particular demands from the renters.

There is a possibility that certain renters will have specific requests; therefore, it is imperative that this be included on the landlord checklist. Some popular requests include:

• A request for an accommodation due to a disability, such as the use of a service dog

• Changing the color of the walls in the room

Before moving in, a washer and dryer should be professionally installed.

In the event that a renter requires housing for a service animal, the landlord is required by law to make reasonable accommodations for the tenant. However, if the request is more of a wish than a requirement, you have the option of whether or not to take it into consideration.

Also, make sure you don’t forget to include the tenant’s unique desire as a stipulation in the lease agreement. For instance, if the renter asks for the walls to be repainted, you should specify the whole amount that it would cost you to complete the task in the lease. You will then have written evidence that the tenant agreed to the conditions of the lease in this manner.

8. Draft the terms of the lease. Discuss any changes and get the tenant to sign it.

After you have located a new renter, the next step is to draught a lease agreement that is suitable for the situation. A standard form for a lease agreement will include the following sections:

• The terms of the agreement

• The names of all parties involved (landlord and tenant)

• The terms for security deposit and other applicable fees

• The amount of rent that is to be paid, at what intervals, and the preferred method of payment

• An agreement of maintenance

• Prohibitions (illegal activities and disruptive practices)

• The right to keep or not to keep pets

• Limitations of tenancy

• Accountability for damage to the property

The terms and circumstances under which the landlord is permitted access to the property are laid out in the right of entrance. Take, for example, the case of performing maintenance or repairs.

It is recommended that, after you have drafted your lease agreement, you get it reviewed by a legal professional to ensure that it is legal and enforceable. After that, you should walk the tenant through it step by step to ensure that they are aware of what they are agreeing to before they sign anything. If the landlord and the renter are both content with the conditions of the lease, then both parties should sign and date the agreement.

9. Collect the Initial Rental Payment in Addition to the Security Deposit

Before allowing a new tenant to move into your property, it is best practise to obtain payment of the first month’s rent in addition to the security deposit. However, there are several states where this law can be broken in certain circumstances. You could, for instance, let the tenant move in and allow them to pay the rent at a later date if they were receiving housing vouchers. When it comes to the security deposit, they need to have the money on hand and be willing to accept the conditions that pertain to the possibility of losing their security deposit. Make it a point to familiarise yourself with the real estate legislation in your state to get a better understanding of the regulations that govern security deposits in your state.

10. Complete the Move-In Checklist in It’s Entirely.

The move-in checklist is a document that reflects the condition of the rental unit at the time that a new tenant is moving in. It is typically given to the new tenant before they move in. It is conclusive evidence that the home is secure and habitable and that nothing has been damaged. It is recommended that the landlord go through the list with the tenant together.

This document is helpful, particularly at the end of the tenancy if there is any dispute concerning the deductions that were made from the security deposit.

The following items are included on the move-in checklist:

• The address of the property

• The name of the tenant

• The move-in date

• The expiration date of the lease

• The condition of each individual room in the house (at the time of moving in and out)

• Inspection results (during both move-in and move-out);

• Proof of the availability of and functionality of safety devices, such as smoke alarms;

• Signatures from both the landlord and the tenant;

11. Give the Tenant Information About Whom to Call in Case of an Emergency

Give the tenant your contact information so that they can get in touch with you in the event of an emergency, question, or complaint. Make sure that your chosen means of contact has a quick response time, and let them know that you are available. For instance, they should only phone during regular business hours unless there is some kind of an emergency.

12. Carry out a Walkthrough of Your Premises

Before tenants move in, the property should undergo a pre-move-in inspection to determine whether or not it is habitable and to create a record of its current state. During an inspection, the condition of the property should be evaluated, and photographs should be taken to record the state of the property.

Prior to Providing the New Tenant with the Keys, There Are Several Important Steps to Take

What should you do when you have completed the above steps, which include doing an inspection of the property, ensuring that it is in a decent, habitable state, receiving and screening various applications, and selecting a renter who is qualified?

After you’ve found someone to rent your property, have a look at the following list of things you can do to ensure that everything gets off to a good start with the new occupant.

• Notify the Tenant – It is the responsibility of the landlord to let the tenant know that their application has been accepted. Just give them a call and let them know the fantastic news. Inform them that you will begin drafting the leasing agreement right away and that it will require their signing as soon as it is finished. Confirm with them a number of crucial facts that will be included on the lease, such as the duration of the lease (in most cases, a month-to-month lease is the best option), as well as the date that they intend to move into the property. You will want to make sure that they are willing to pay the first month’s rent as well as the security deposit before accepting their application.

• Modify Your Listing to Indicate That the Property Is Pending Application Since you do not want to receive any further calls or emails at this point, you should modify your listing to reflect that the property is awaiting an application.

• Draft the Lease You can either fill out the home tenancy agreement that you downloaded into your computer or print one out. First the tenant should sign, then you should sign the lease.

• Send the information regarding the lease, the rent, and the bond to the tenant through email. It is important to act quickly in giving this information to the prospective tenant because it creates a positive first impression. If at all possible, you should have the tenant sign the lease agreement in person during a meeting that you have with them. You will be able to highlight the most important tenant-landlord responsibilities that are outlined in the lease if you do it this manner. For instance, how they should convey requests for repairs or maintenance and what happens if they don’t pay their rent when it’s due.

• The Tenant Signs the Contract and Pays the First Month’s Rent Together with the Security Deposit Once the tenant signs the lease and pays the first month’s rent together with the security deposit, the unit is considered to be officially leased. Now, remove the advertisement from each and every website you posted it on. This should take place no more than two days after the qualified renter has been accepted.

• Provide the Tenant with a Receipt – A receipt is a confirmation that you have received the payment; therefore, it should be provided to the tenant. It demonstrates professionalism, and it’s essential for the documents you keep as well.

You have until one day before the renter moves in to complete the Condition Report. You can do this at any time. Both the landlord and the tenant should sign the report in order for it to be valid. The report should explain the condition of the residence at the time of the lease. After this, you will be able to give the new tenant the keys to the apartment.

If you keep a list of the tasks that need to be completed before a new renter moves into your home, not only will you have an easier time remembering the specifics of what needs to be done, but you’ll also be able to avoid a lot of potential problems, which will make everything go more smoothly. If this is your first time renting out your house, or if you’ve done it ten times before, the advice that was provided above will assist ensure that everything goes as smoothly as it possibly can. Consequently, you need to ensure that you make the necessary preparations in advance so that you are not surprised by anything unexpected when your new tenants move in.