As a landlord in Palm Desert, your goal is always to retain good tenants and keep them renewing their lease agreements year after year. It’s better for you and it’s better for your property. When there’s an impending move-out, you know you’ll have to face a bit of vacancy loss, and you’ll also have to invest valuable resources into turnover improvements and maintenance. There will be marketing and screening and steady work towards finding a new tenant.
Retention is always better than losing a tenant, but you will have residents who need to leave your property for any number of reasons. Maybe they’re leaving the area or buying a home. Perhaps they need more space or less space or they’re moving in with a partner or a family member.
Whatever the reason – move-outs are a part of life when you’re renting out property in Palm Desert. You want to be prepared for them, and one of the trickiest parts of your process will be the move-out inspection.
One of the most important aspects of managing rental properties is performing move-out inspections before and after a tenant moves out of the property. It is crucial to ensure that the property is in good condition before a new tenant moves in.
This is California, so there are strict legal requirements around move-out inspections and security deposit returns. Let’s talk about how to master the move-out inspection process for your rental property in Palm Desert.
Start by Offering Tenants a Pre-Move Out Inspection
One of the legal requirements in California is that you offer your existing tenants a pre-move out inspection before they leave the property.
Your tenants are not obligated to accept the offer. But, you have to make it. You should also understand that this inspection is beneficial to both you and your residents. It allows them to decide what they’re willing to do before moving out in order to get more of their security deposit back, and it gives you an idea of what kind of repairs you’ll need to make while preparing the property for a new tenant.
Before you arrive at your tenant’s declared departure date, offer to schedule a pre-move out inspection, which is typically scheduled within two weeks of their move-out date. Explain that this inspection will give you and your tenant an opportunity to identify any potential issues that need to be addressed before moving out. Additionally, it provides your tenants with a chance to fix any issues, which will save you time and money in the long run.
During the pre-move out inspection, make sure you prepare a checklist of all the things that need to be examined while you’re in the property. Allow your tenant to ask questions and be willing to speak openly and transparently about what might result in a deduction. If they painted a wall blue, for example, you’ll need to tell them what shade of paint they should return the wall to before they depart.
The timing of the move-out inspection is crucial, and we urge owners to stick to the two-week window. There might be some back-and-forth as you try to find a time that works for you and your tenant, so remain flexible. By scheduling the inspection at least two weeks before the tenant moves out, you will give them enough time to fix any issues and clean the property before moving out.
Inspect on Your Own and Document Everything
If the tenant agrees to a pre-move out inspection, you probably have some idea of what you’ll find when your tenant fully moves out and you’re able to take back possession and get inside the rental home for a full inspection.
You’ll want to be thorough. Make sure you inspect every corner of the property. Check the walls, floors, ceilings, windows, and doors for any damages. Additionally, make sure you check appliances, plumbing, and electrical systems for any issues. If you find any damages, make sure you write them down on the checklist.
Always use your move-in inspection report when you’re conducting the move-out inspection. The idea here is to compare the condition of the property before your tenants moved in to the condition of the property when they left it. You should have a lot of photos and notes from the move-in, and you’ll want to see how the move-out photos and notes compare.
During the move-out inspection, make sure you document everything. It’s important to have proof of any issues in case you need to withhold part of the security deposit. You will occasionally have that tenant who insists “it was like that when I moved in.” When you have the documentation to disprove that, it makes those security deposit deductions a lot more justified. You’re less likely to get push-back from your departing tenants.
Return the Security Deposit to Palm Desert Residents
After the inspection, you’ll need to return the security deposit to the tenant. If there are any damages, make sure you deduct the cost of repairs from the security deposit. Additionally, make sure you document the expenses and provide the tenant with an itemized list of the deductions.
In California, you have 21 days from the date of move-out to return your tenant’s deposit. If you are withholding any or all of that deposit, make sure you provide an itemized list of what was withheld and why. Keep and provide copies of invoices and receipts to prove what you spent to repair any damage that was left.
Remember that you can deduct for damage, but not for general wear and tear. That’s your responsibility as the property owner.
Performing move-out inspections is crucial for managing rental properties in Palm Desert. By following these tips, you’ll be able to master the move-out inspection process and ensure that your property is in good condition for the next tenant. Remember to perform a pre-inspection, schedule the inspection at the right time, document everything, inspect every corner, and return the security deposit. With proper planning and execution, you’ll be a pro at move-out inspections in no time.
If you’re not interested in becoming a pro and conducting your own inspections, we’re here to do it for you. Contact us at Xepco Properties for all of your Palm Desert property management needs.
