Moving in and out of rental homes can be stressful for renters. If they have lived in a rental home for many years, they may feel a sense of belonging to the property even after they have turned in the keys. If they haven’t managed the move-out very well, tenants may even try to take advantage of their prior occupancy by storing personal items on your Humble property, coming back to pick up their mail, or even accessing the internet on the property.
Renters might think that they can return to the property to finish up tasks or continue to access amenities they used to enjoy, but as soon as the keys have changed hands back to the property owner or property management company, the former tenant no longer has the right to access the rental property. In fact, if they do try to access the property or any related amenities, they are trespassing and violating the law.
As a property owner, you must explain this concept to your tenants. They may not understand that property owners and property management professionals need to access the property immediately after a renter vacates to assess the condition of the home and to begin preparations for the next tenant. They may also not understand that handing in their keys means that they have given up their rights to the rental property and may be giving up their rights to personal property left in the rental home.
Helping your renters understand how to prepare for and manage their move-out process is an important part of a successful rental process. Offering instructions for moving out, such as a checklist of necessary tasks, may go a long way toward helping your tenants complete the move-out correctly. Tenants should always be informed that necessary move-out tasks, such as forwarding mail, moving out all possessions, and cleaning the property, need to happen before the final exchange of keys. It is also important to explain that access to the property and all amenities is no longer allowed.
These kinds of conversations are our specialty at Real Property Management Preferred. Our property management professionals can manage the move-out process from start to finish, ensuring that your tenants have the information and resources they need to completely surrender the property when they turn in the keys. For more information about how our Humble property management services can benefit you, contact us online or call us at 281-894-9111.