After a tenant qualifies and is accepted for tenancy, an apartment "walk-through" should be conducted and the tenant should be asked to complete a move-in checklist. Upon completion of the checklist, the tenant should sign an acknowledgment of condition of the apartment. I also recommend that landlords take a few photos of the apartment prior to rental, to date them and put the photos in the tenant's file.
Armed with the foregoing information, a landlord is in a better position to field tenant habitability and other complaints. It also prevents a tenant from saying the landlord promised to make repairs or modifications to the rental premises. By taking these relatively simple steps, a landlord can help avoid many problems.
BEFORE you sign the lease, take a checklist and a camera with you and inspect the apartment with whoever is authorized to perform the walk through with you. This may be:
- The Property Manager
- The Owner/Landlord
- The Real Estate Agent
- The Leasing Office
If the owner’s neighbor, friend, daughter, daughter-in-law or son-in-law conducts the inspection, make a note of it. Why? Sometimes they are doing someone a favor, such as an absentee landlord, and are not aware of what to look for and may not be the same person who conducts the move-out inspection.
If the apartment/home changes owners during the course of your stay, you should contact the new owners and do a walk through or simply send them a copy of your original move-in inspection – certified mail. This will help avoid conflicts when you move out.
Don’t be surprised if they request to do a new inspection. They should of done this prior to buying the property- but many investors buy blind.
This is a general list of things that you can look for in your rental home or apartment
Inspect each room. Take your time.
Make notes on the condition of each room – look for:
- Scratches in hardwood floors
- Burn marks/tears in carpets
- Missing tiles in bathroom
- Ripped screens in windows – missing glass
- Holes/scratches in walls (pinholes, patched over areas etc)
- Faded paint (just note it) – rubbed off paint etc.
- Burn marks/scratches on counters (rub your hand along the counter (if it’s clean)
- Loose fixtures (ceiling, wall etc)
- Make sure all outlets have covers and receptacles.
- Heat and if provided - Air conditioning Turn on the units
- Kitchen Stove – turn it on. Inspect for cleanliness
- Refrigerator - ice box and main area – is it cold? Clean?
- Kitchen Cabinets – scratches, cleanliness, grime
- Kitchen Exhaust over stove – turn it on. Are filters clean?
- Bathtubs/showers – turn them on. Hot and cold water. Water Pressure. Cracks. Grime.
- Toilet paper holder
- Flush the toilet to ensure they work
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