It’d be intriguing to move into a new Rigby rental house. It is also a good idea to secure your security deposit, but how can you accomplish this? A walkthrough check after moving in. Even if your landlord doesn’t give a walkthrough guide, you should nonetheless do one. To get the most out of your move-in tour, it’s vital to keep the following suggestions in mind.
Get Personal
An in-person walkthrough is unmatched by anything else. You should still conduct your own inspections even if a helpful Rigby property manager claims to have checked the home for you. Although the bulk of landlords won’t be trying to fool you on purpose, you still might find maintenance or other issues that weren’t mentioned in the report. If you don’t thoroughly inspect every area of your rental home, you might have to pay to fix something that was damaged before you even moved in.
Use a Checklist
Viewing every aspect of your rental property with attention can help you make the most of your move-in walkthrough. Use a walkthrough checklist to make sure nothing is missed. Some landlords might give you a checklist; others might not. If yours does not, you can get numerous lists and guidelines from the Internet. An inventory is key because it guides your walkthrough and ensures you don’t overlook anything. Additionally, once you move out, you can compare items on your checklist.
Check for Potential Hazards
An exhaustive move-in examination can be ensured with the use of a checklist. Additionally, any potential risks to one’s health and safety hazards that might not be apparent at first look should be noted. For instance, make sure the appliances and smoke detectors in your new rental home are operational. If your landlord did not give paperwork on the existence of lead paint or asbestos, make sure to request it. Before settling into a rental property, it is essential to learn everything there is to know about the presence of these drugs, which can create long-term health problems.
Document Everything
To make the most of your move-in inspection, you must do more than simply mark off items on a list. You must thoroughly and properly document every component of the property’s condition before moving in to properly secure your security deposit from unauthorized repair expenditures. Take copious notes—whether on the checklist or a separate page—about the conditions, the locations, and other details, no matter how minor. The majority of landlords won’t try to make you pay to replace the entire kitchen floor because of one linoleum damage, but some might. Taking images of the house as you explore it is a fantastic additional option. To ensure that your images are secure, take a variety of close-up and wider shots.
Report Maintenance Issues
Upon completion of your walkthrough and documentation, immediately report any maintenance concerns you’ve noticed. Broken toilet seats or blinds, dripping faucets, and malfunctioning light switches or outlets may not seem serious, but if anything is broken or not functioning properly before you move in, you must notify the property manager right away. Send them a written communication, if at all feasible, to ensure that you have documentation of the identified problems. You’ll be shielded from unfair charges as a result of doing this, and your security deposit will be safe once you’ve moved out as well.
While it may require some more work, making the most of your move-in walkthrough is worthwhile. Doing everything you can to meticulously record the condition of your rental home when you move in will ensure that you get your security deposit back.
Do you want a new place to live? Real Property Management Southeast Idaho has the one for you! You can browse our listings online or call us at 208-522-2400.
Originally Published on July 17, 2020
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