It’d be intriguing to move into a new Dallas rental house. What steps should you take to secure your security deposit? A checkup of the house. You should conduct a walkthrough regardless of whether your landlord provides you with a checklist. To get the most out of your move-in tour, it is essential to follow the following guidelines.
Get Personal
An in-person walkthrough cannot be replaced by any other method. A friendly Dallas property manager may claim to have inspected the property for you, but you should still perform your own inspection. Even while the majority of landlords won’t intentionally try to mislead you, you might still find maintenance or other problems that weren’t mentioned in the report. If you do not thoroughly inspect every element of your rental property, you may end up paying to fix something that was damaged before you moved in.
Use a Checklist
To make the most of your move-in walkthrough, you must investigate each area of your rental home thoroughly. Use a walkthrough checklist to make sure you haven’t forgotten anything. Some landlords might give you a checklist; others might not. You can download a ton of lists and guidelines online if yours doesn’t. An inventory is key because it guides your walkthrough and ensures you don’t overlook anything. Additionally, once you move out, you can compare items on your checklist.
Check for Potential Hazards
You can make sure you perform a comprehensive move-in inspection by using a checklist. In addition, it is essential to identify any potential health and safety hazards that may not be apparent at first glance. Test the appliances and smoke detectors in your new rental house, for instance, to confirm that they are operating properly. If your landlord has not provided it, request paperwork regarding the presence of lead paint or asbestos. It’s crucial to learn everything you can about the rental home before moving in because these compounds have the potential to cause major health problems over time.
Document Everything
To maximize your move-in inspection, you must do more than merely cross-off items. You must meticulously and completely document every detail of the property’s condition before moving in to properly safeguard your security deposit from unauthorized repair expenditures. Make numerous notes, either directly on the checklist or on a separate paper, including any condition issues, locations, and other details. The majority of landlords won’t try to make you pay to replace the entire kitchen floor because of one linoleum damage, but some might. Using a camera to snap images of the place while you explore is a great approach. Be sure to take a range of close-up and wide-angle photographs and store them in a secure location.
Report Maintenance Issues
Report any maintenance issues you find as soon as you’ve finished your walkthrough and documentation. Broken blinds or toilet seats, leaking faucets, and busted light switches or outlets may seem inconsequential, but you must contact your property manager immediately if any of these items are damaged or malfunctioning before moving in. Send them a letter to ensure you have proof of the reported problems. This will not only defend you from false allegations but also your security deposit once you vacate the premises.
Getting the most out of your move-in walkthrough involves some work, but it is rewarding. The only step to secure you receive your security deposit back is to diligently document the move-in condition of your rental property.
Are you seeking a new residence? Real Property Management Legend has the one for you! You can browse our listings online or call us at 214-227-2404.
Originally Published on July 17, 2020
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