Move-in inspection without physically meeting tenant?

Question

Hi everyone.

I have a new tenant moving in soon. They come from another province. To practice social distancing, I prefer to not meet them in person. Any ideas or tips on how to do an effective inspection when the tenant is there but I am not? How about going there before they arrive, walk through the house myself, fill out an inspection form, and leave the sheet in the house for them to review and sign?

Thanks a lot.

Paul

Mason Hickman · Answer

@Paul Zhang

I would do your walk through and take photos for your records and then have the tenant do his walk through and document anything that is broken or damaged or that he wants to note for your collective records. Have the tenant send you supporting pictures and have it all recorded with an email trail.

If the property is furnished, you should give the tenant an inventory list, too.

Larry T. · Answer

I second the above response. No need for you to be there.

Tell them you always take your own photos beforehand for the files and to send you (or leave) the completed form after his walk-through. Tell him that you recommend he takes his time to do it and to be as thorough as possible, that you want to be sure he does not get charged for anything that may already be there. My tenants always do a very detailed walk-through form (I have mine mail it back to me, then I send them back a copy) They find all kinds of small things that I already know are there and/or would never charge them for at move-out. This makes them invested in keeping things looking the way they did started out at move-in.  I am not sure what everyone else does, this has just worked for me as I cannot be there in person in most cases. Also, these are B-C properties.