Property Management process

Tenant check-In and check-out are vital steps needed when dealing with Tenants renting your property. Preparation is key to the success of these steps.  This Management process ensures everything is captured so you are building up a key set of documentary evidence in case things go wrong.  

Using a rental inspection checklist at check-in ensures everything is completed and nothing is forgotten which can, and often do cause issued at the end of the tenancy.

Gaining tenant agreement

When Tenants are present at these stages, everything can be agreed and documentation completed/signed.  Ensuring the property is ready to be Let and there’s no outstanding tasks will make this job easier with no reason for a tenant not to sign.  Do not hand over keys until everything is agreed/signed, the deposit has been paid and months rent paid in advance.

The Inventory should be agreed and signed at check-in.  This must be comprehensive, unbiased and to a good professional standard.  These documents include photographs, a full written report of the property condition, agreed and signed by Tenant and Landlord/Agent.  Without this, your chances of a claim against a deposit are virtually zero.

By the time of check-in, there should be completed tenant screening, application forms, credit checks and referencing along with your prepared AST Tenancy Agreement.

Reviewing and signing of the property inventory

Tenants should be present at check-in, so a walk through of building, reviewing the inventory at the same time, will clear up any questions or misunderstandings.  It’s also an opportunity to ensure the Tenant is aware of what is expected of them during the tenancy.

It’s prudent to have a checklist of things to check in a rental property. The checklist will include meter readings, testing of alarms, keys/locks, stop taps et.

Notifying tenant of how to retain deposit at end of tenancy

Usually, the tenancy agreement will document reasons a deposit may be withheld at the end of a tenancy – this includes damage caused to property, extensive cleaning needed, possessions which are left, rent owing et.  Confirmation of where the deposit will be held should be provided to the tenant along with Prescribed Information.