First Walkthrough w/ Leaving Tenants

[Rachel H.]

Hi everyone. I'm doing my first tenant turnover soon, and I'm wondering how best to handle the walkthrough when they move out. It's a brand new house, they're the first tenants, and I've been through recently and didn't spot any damage or issues, but I want to be really thorough before signing off, of course. How do folks typically handle this part? Do you walkthrough with the tenants on their last day and just go point by point down the walk-in checklist? Do you go through on your own, instead, so you can slowly and carefully look over everything? How do you test appliances, etc. to ensure everything is working as it should? Thanks for any tips! I appreciate it! 

[Will Fraser]

Hi @Rachel H., this will largely depend on your state's particular requirements here.  I never walk through with the tenant on move-out, but rather I send them the move-out packet with move-out instructions about a month before move-out.  This directs them to leave their key(s) at X location and informs the tenant that their deposit will be returned to them in X days minus any damages or necessary withholdings, if any.    That allows me to do the walkthrough over the next few days, get the makeready underway, then send them their deposit along with the legally required accounting. 

Best of luck with the upcoming turnover!