Don't Rent Your Property Without a Rental Checklist

By Adam Stevenson

This article will discuss briefly why you should not rent your property without a rental checklist and tenant walk through, what to look for in a rental checklist, and where to find a good rental checklist.

Why you need a checklist
If you're a landlord or a property manager, it's important that you have a checklist and complete a tenant walk through before renting your property. By 'Rental checklist', we're really just referring to a document that specifies the condition of individual areas when the tenant moves in and moves out. Without completing this simple step, you could become liable for any and all damage caused by the tenant. Likewise, without this agreement the landlord would have a hard time proving damage, and could lose their right to the security deposit. This agreement is put into place to protect both parties, and can be completed any time before the tenant occupies the premises - even right before moving in.

Things to look for in your checklist

There are several key areas that need to be covered in the document:
1) Interior walkways and high traffic areas. This is the most likely area to receive accidental damage from tenants during the lease.
2) Plumbing, bathroom areas, showers, etc. These areas are also likely to receive damage and are often modified by the tenant.
3) Flooring and carpeting, tile, etc. These areas are subject to spills, stains, burns, etc.
4) Appliances and fixtures. These areas are used extensively and are subject to wear and tear. Also, major appliances can be expensive to replace or repair - check these areas closely.

5) Signatures and dates for all parties. This is very important.


Where to find a rel=nofollow [http://www.rentaljam.com/]rental checklist template
So you know what you need, but where do you start? There are a few different options:
1) Look online. There are many different websites that offer rental checklist stock documents and templates, so it shouldn't be hard to find one that works for you.
2) Check at your local library. Look through real estate or property management books or ask a librarian.
3) Walk through and draft one yourself. Take your time to ensure that everything you want covered is included in the document.

Conclusion:
It can be tempting to skip this important step - don't do it! Take a few minutes to find a document, and spend 10-20 minutes with your tenant walking the premises and checking off the items before they move in. You'll potentially save yourself thousands of dollars and it's great for the peace of mind.

Don't forget your [http://www.rentaljam.com/]Rental Checklist