To provide an exceptional experience for your tenants and ensure you have a successful investment yourself, you need to have a good relationship with your residents. The best way to establish a good working relationship with your tenants is to provide an easy and stress-free move-in experience.
Moving is stressful enough. Try these tips and ideas for making the process less overwhelming and more supportive for your residents. They’ll be at ease and you’ll have an easy time communicating and working with them throughout the term of the lease.
Provide a Clean and Maintained Home at Move-In
Before your tenant moves in, conduct a complete inspection of the property to make sure there aren’t any last-minute repairs that are needed. Tenants don’t want to move into a home that’s going to need immediate work. So, turn on all the faucets and check for leaks under sinks. Test each electric outlet. Run the appliances and turn on the heat and the air conditioning.
It’s also a good idea to walk through the home with your tenant before their moving day. This might seem time consuming and unnecessary to busy landlords, but it will really put the tenant’s mind at ease. You can show them how everything works, including how to set the thermostat and where to change the air filters.
You can even do this virtually. Create a video that points out where things are and how to take care of basic functions in the home.
Communicate Expectations and Responsibilities
Discuss the terms of your lease agreement. Being available to answer questions is a great way to make your tenants feel good about moving in. Go over your responsibilities and theirs; talk about expectations and who is responsible for things like utilities, landscaping, pest control, and general maintenance.
You can also explain the rent collection policies and the consequences of not paying on time. All of this information is in the written lease, but when you can discuss it in detail with your tenants, you’ll run into less confusion and fewer conflicts.
Conducting Move-In and Move-Out Inspections
Before the tenant moves in, you need to document the condition of your Orlando rental property. Take pictures and videos, and make detailed notes. You’re going to expect your tenants to return the property in the same condition, so make sure you and your tenants agree on how things look before they take possession.
Provide your tenants with an opportunity to add anything to the move-in checklist before they sign it. They shouldn’t be held responsible for anything that’s pre-existing.
Put Move-Out Procedures in Writing
The move-out process should also be designed to put your tenants at ease. When you receive notice that they’re leaving, provide a checklist of the things they need to do. Items might include:
-
- Returning keys and remote controls
- Having the home professionally cleaned
- Steam-cleaning the carpets
- Returning the unit or home to its condition pre-move in
- Providing a forwarding address for the security deposit
When all of this is in writing, the tenant will know what to expect and it’s less likely you’ll be disputing security deposit charges.
These are just a few of the things you can do to create a better relationship with your tenants, especially during the move-in and move-out process. If we can help with any of your Orlando property management needs, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Contact us at Park Avenue Property Management.