It’s vital that you and the tenant agree on a move-out date. Keeping records of the process will be helpful in the future if there are any disputes. If their request is not in writing, you can’t prove they’re actually moving out. Step #1: Document the RequestĪs soon as the tenant tells you they want to move out, you should begin a paper trail. Using this process will help create a smooth transition when it’s time for them to leave. Below, we’ve outlined a checklist for the process of moving out a tenant. The process of moving a tenant out begins from the moment you learn they are leaving. What Should be on the Landlord Move-Out Checklist? If you’re not doing the walkthrough yourself, you can have your property management company send you a report that includes detailed pictures. This allows you to write down an unbiased report of the property’s status. It’s far better to do a walkthrough separate from a tenant. This could create an uncomfortable situation or lead to confrontations between you and the tenant. They will likely offer explanations for each individual issue on the rental property. It also opens up unproductive communication between you and the tenant. In a walkthrough with the tenant, it’s easy to verbally say everything is okay, only to come back later and discover there are problems. It may seem like a good idea to walk through a property with a tenant, but this can often cause additional problems.įor the safety of everyone involved, it’s best for a landlord or property management company to do a walkthrough separate from the tenant. Should the Landlord be Present for a Property Walkthrough with the Tenant? Not setting expectations about how the tenant leaves the property potentially means extra cleaning fees and increased vacancy time. Without a process in place, you risk losing out on time and money.They may not be the only paying tenant, which creates a different scenario. Be careful in assuming that everyone who lives there is also moving out. A tenant may contact you to let you know they’re leaving the property.The property must be relinquished by the tenants and in your possession again before it can be marketed and treated as a vacant property. One thing that may cause issues is taking over a property that hasn’t been completely surrendered.Below are some things that may cause problems if you aren’t using a standard move-out process. Moving tenants in and out of a space can be a delicate process. What Can Go Wrong Without a Standard Move-Out Process? We’ll also give you a move-out checklist so you can be prepared when that time comes. In this article, we’ll discuss the issues you may face when tenants move out. Without a proper plan in place, there are quite a few things that can go sideways. Tenants don’t usually stay in one rental forever which is why it’s so important to have a standard landlord checklist to use when tenants move out. Getting Started in Real Estate Investing.