We just got our new tenants signed their lease, and received a message that they would like to do a walk through a week before move in. I have never had this before, I told them they will have 7 days to report everything once they move in and we can do a walk through on the same day that they are moving in.
Maybe I am overthinking too much. But there are cosmetic issues in the house, like small crack on a window, tiny stain on carpet, and so on. I am afraid that they may ask me to fix those things before they move in and hold it against me on the day of move in.
My approach is, the rental comes in the condition they saw it in when they viewed it and signed the lease. If you want something additional then don't sign the lease. You don't sign the lease then start negotiating what else you want done
@Sharon Miller is there any reason to believe they want to start things off poorly?
I’ve had tenants excited to move in and measure for furniture and such.
I wouldn’t worry too much about repairs. If they are things that should be repaired, you have a week to repair. If it isn’t something you feel needs to be done, just say so and you can add it to the move-in checklist.
Like @Mike McCarthy said, I'm guessing your tenants are probably just excited to move in, and want to figure out what furniture they will bring/purchase, and where it will go in their new place.
@Sharon Miller In light of your added information, that does sound a little ominous. I was initially optimistic like the other guys, but now I don't think they're coming to measure for furniture. ;)
Perhaps if they are going to be the nit-picky, problem type tenants, it's better you find that out sooner rather than later though. (And if there are any legitimate repairs that need to be made it'll give you time to make them before they actually move in.)
@Sharon Miller In light of your added information, that does sound a little ominous. I was initially optimistic like the other guys, but now I don't think they're coming to measure for furniture. ;)
Perhaps if they are going to be the nit-picky, problem type tenants, it's better you find that out sooner rather than later though. (And if there are any legitimate repairs that need to be made it'll give you time to make them before they actually move in.)
Good luck with these tenants.
Yep. They might be doing you a favor. Get on with it and don’t try to force them to go forward if they are hard to get along with.
My approach is, the rental comes in the condition they saw it in when they viewed it and signed the lease. If you want something additional then don't sign the lease. You don't sign the lease then start negotiating what else you want done
No kidding, I wish it was all about furniture too. Lets be real, every house,apartment etc. has some cosmetic issues, if they are nit picky, which I will find out tomorrow then what?! Do I cancel the lease?
Whether the walk through is a week prior of the same day, the same situation can arise. Lets say tehy complain of a spot on the carpet that won't come out. You just let them know you have documented the stain and they won't be help responsible upon move out. The home is not brand new, it won't be in brand new condition. You can choose to fix or not fix the items, as long as it isn't a material item like a toilet, etc. As an owner, make sure to document extensively the condition and any damage - give the list to the tenant and have them add to it, if needed- check that you agree to the addittions and hten move on. Dont let them move in early, unless they pay the extra days rent.
Sounds more like they had a bad experience with a landlord unfairly keeping their deposit in the past for damages they didn't cause, they don't want you saying that this ding in the wall was caused by them moving their furniture in. This type of walkthrough/ move-in checklist is completely normal in my area. Could it be done the day they are moving in? Sure but then they sit around not unloading their stuff waiting for you to show up.
@Sharon Miller, you are in control, not them. You tell them when and how you are going to do the walkthru not the other way around. I would reaffirm your policy which you mention above (they have 7 days to send their walkthru). If there is damage or a non-working appliance, you will address it, if there is a mark on the wall they need to list it so that they don't get charged for it when they move out. As Eric says above, you don't sign the lease and then start negotiating a freshly painted house or other updates.
The walkthru is after they have paid rent, showed you the utilities are in their name and presented proper renters insurance. Then you meet them at the property, hand them the key and give expectations such as when and how to replace air filters, properly use the thermostat including making sure the fan is on 'auto' and never 'on', where the trash/recycling cans are kept and when to put them at the curb, etc.
I get that @Chris London, I can definitely go with no payment no walk trough policy however I already told them its ok. If I change my mind now, they may think I am hiding something. Like others said, sooner or later, I will find out what their true intentions are.
Do it. And if they are picking at pointless little things constantly present them with this:
“You know, perhaps you’d be happier elsewhere as this doesn’t seem to be fitting with your needs currently. I can let you out of the agreement if you’d prefer that.”
Another powerful phrase is “does that seem reasonable?” But always phrase this in the positive. For example: “I can replace that blind in the next 30 days but I cannot _____ & _____. Does that seem reasonable?”
Very tough for someone to look at the whites of your eyes and tell you you’re being unreasonable. Very tough.
I’ve moved to 100% video walk through documentation only. Then they sign the paper that says “see video” for each category. End of lease we do the same.
I’d just tear up the lease right away - that’s nonsense.
Every lease have a statement that tenants seen the condition of the house and considered it satisfactory.
Do not let them move in - it’s better be empty rather than with such tenants with the attitude.
Correcting something means if something stopped working which did on the showing. Or some latent defects which couldn’t be seen unless someone lives there (toilet is running, microwave is broken etc)
Stained carpet was there and they’ve seen it - no repairs! Actually, when people ask me about walk through in such manner - I answer that no improvements will be done - zero.
If I want to fix something - I do it before I start showing. At the showing the house is in the marketable condition and they agree it fits their criteria by signing the lease.
Stick to what you said. It's completely fair. If they want to back out, then deal with that. What you told them is reasonable and lets them know you don't ask how high when they say jump.
It sounds to me like they read the lease and are doing what they are required to do. Doing a walk thru pre move in makes sense. You both can document any concerns.
I would be thrilled my tenants actually read the document they signed :)
want to add that i try to keep my units in top shape...so a cracked window would get repaired/replaced... the spot on the carpet would get noted.
Is the unit currently occupied? I'd tell them you will do the walk through on move in day. With the current situation, I would want to limit outings and how many times you come into contact with people.
You're doing a walk-through on a holiday? I like to set expectations up front that I work normal business hours unless there's an emergency. I've had people ask in the past if they can go in and measure for furniture. I always refuse because it's not a good use of my time. You have to protect your time or they'll think of you as their butler.
I always do a quick walk-through with a checklist and write down pre-existing damage and an inventory so that I won't forget it later and possibly charge them for it. Then we both sign and date it. There is usually normal wear and tear from the last tenant, which I didn't charge them for either. It makes the tenant feel better knowing I won't charge for every nick in the wall or little scratch on the floor. I also run the water and check the drains for clogs and remind them that the lease says that if they clog it, they're responsible for unclogging it (they somehow always forget this).
Good luck and get used to saying "no", your sanity will thank you.
Fwiw, i dont have “hours” ....my tenants have my number and contact me when needed and I respond usually right away. I never forget they are living in my property and I need to ensure it is taken care of.
Also, fwiw, i always tell tenants to call me right away if there is any issue - no matter how small. This way I decide who works on my property etc.
as a precautionary tale: i had a tenant think he shouldnt bother me .... so he didnt tell me about the slow toilet ... well the slow toilet turned into a 30k water damage issue. Soooooo... now more than ever I insist on controlling repairing things and having tenants know to contact me - anytime - if there is an issue.
When asked when would be a good time to inspect, did you reply “when I give you keys on move in day at x:xx time?”
I like to assume negligence instead of malice. They might just see it as, “it says we need to do this. We better get it done”. Good luck and happy fourth!
@Sharon Miller they are exercising their right as stated in the lease. No harm there. As a past tenant as I am sure most of us have been at some time in our lives, myself included, and.hence speaking from experience, I got shafted by landlords for things that were damaged or broken when I vacated but were there upon my arrival. If anything it shows a conscientious tenant that wants to look after the place and not get dinged for others actions.
Its like renting a car. You inspect for dents etc before driving it off the lot.
Doing the inspection before move in day allows for nothing to be hidden
Hi Sharon. Once you approved an applicant, collect deposit and first month and do a walk through and sign lease in no more than 3 days. This way if anything goes wrong and you loose your applicant, you didn’t waste much time and you can start looking for a new one or accept a second tier applicant. When you sign the lease everything else needs to had been cleared by then. Good luck.
@Sharon Miller This is absolutely fine. Remember all the documentation states they are responsible for damages so they are almost certainly worried about not being blamed for particular things. In MA the walk through is mandatory but u want to do it to protect yourself. If you don’t do a walk through and they damage something and then claim it was like that you don’t have too much recourse.
Sounds like they are being responsive to what they perceive as your requirements.
Oh and if you are worried about little things throwing them off—maybe fix them? Or let them know at the walk through you will do so.
@Jonathan R McLaughlin @krish has it right. The walk through is really helpful for reasons stated, but also as a chance for you to set the tone. This is an opportunity.