Moving in

A Moving in Checklist is Critical

As any landlord in San Diego will tell you, there are many things to keep track of when it comes to rental property. An essential tool for every property owner is a move-in checklist.

A move-in checklist helps ensure everything is in order before the new tenant moves in. This way, potential problems or issues down the road can be avoided. Not only can the landlord save a lot of headaches later on, but the tenants will appreciate the peace of mind that comes with knowing everything has been taken care of before they move into the rental.

Your move-in checklist must cover specific points to be effective.

• The property address, name of the incoming tenant, and the move-in date

These criteria may seem trivial, but they identify the property that is being inspected and who will be the new tenant. Anyone who has a real estate portfolio with several properties needs to be able to keep each one separate. The move-in date indicates that the inspection takes place before the new tenant settles in.

• A room-by-room tour

A landlord in San Diego should go through each room of the rental with their new tenant. The inspection includes the kitchen, living room, dining room, bedrooms, and bathrooms. Each one of those rooms has unique features that need to be checked.

• The condition of the essentials

The checklist needs to evaluate the status of the plumbing, electrical wiring, and HVAC system. Any required repairs must be scheduled as soon as possible and completed before the tenant moves in.

• The condition of the structure

This can be covered in the room-to-room inspection. For example, wooden floors should be inspected for discoloration or warping, drywall should be reviewed for any holes, and windows should be checked for any drafts. Furthermore, any locks on the doors or windows must be tested to ensure they are still secure.

• Photograph and document

A property owner in San Diego must know the physical condition of the rental. Any documentation supports the checklist, and that must include photographs. Those photographs do more than note repairs that must be scheduled. The images represent a "Before" condition of the rental. When the day comes that the tenant decides to leave permanently, those pictures may be compared against photos taken at the time of the tenant's last departure. It helps determine what damage was caused by the tenant and how much of the security deposit must be used to make necessary corrections.

The Value of Property Management Companies

Move-in checklists and the inspection are easy for any landlord in San Diego with one or two rentals. However, a larger portfolio creates a greater demand for the landlord's time. Property management companies in San Diego have a standard move-in checklist and perform inspections as one of their services. As a result, their help can be a great time saver, and, more importantly, these property professionals know precisely what to look for and can recognize damage quickly. Alta Vista Properties is a property management company in San Diego that wants to maintain the value of every client's portfolio.

We Are Seasoned Veterans 

We have provided service to landlords in San Diego for years. We gladly perform and have a checklist of what to cover in those property tours. We work with the best repair contractors, and we can vouch for the integrity and honesty of those construction companies.

The move-in inspection is a chance to develop a strong rapport with the new tenant. We will review the lease with them and stress the significance of reporting damage quickly. Our relationships with both tenants and property owners are equally transparent, and we are quick to solve problems.

Creating a comprehensive move-in checklist may seem like extra work upfront, but it pays off in the long run. It is an effective tool for creating a smooth transition for the landlord and the tenant. The checklist is just one of our helpful services.

Please do inquire at any time about our property management services. You can reach us at 858-274-3600 or by email at info@altavistaProperties.net. We look forward to hearing from you and answering your questions about what we do as a property management company in San Diego