This is the number one recommendation. It is simple and provides clarity for both rental owners and residents. If you have a rental home, remove everything from it.
Everything.
Completely removed from the premises.
These are common offenders left behind by residents or owners:
- Lawn Mower
- Landscaping equipment
- Planting pots
- Garden hoses
- Pools
- Kid Playsets
- Tools
- Cleaning supplies
- Shower curtains
- Toiletries
- Plumbing equipment such as plungers
- Drapes
- Kitchen supplies
- Food
- Chairs
- Furniture
- Pictures
- TV mounts
- Cords
- Boxes
- Decorations
- Portable fans, AC units or heaters
- Any other furnishings, belongings, debris, etc.
Anything and everything that is not fixed and essential to the property must go.
There are three reasons we do this: condition recording for the security deposit, setting expectations with residents, and removing any owner liability.
Recording
On the day of move-in for new residents, we perform a thorough walkthrough with them. During this walkthrough we are recording the condition of the home at the time of move-in.
It is setting the bar for what we will compare the home to during an eventual move-out.
We must create a written condition report as a state requirement.
However, we go above and beyond that to take photos of damage.
Then, we will conduct a video walkthrough of the entire home.
There is more detail about how we do those three processes efficiently on our Bellingham Rental Owners Community. You can join for free: CLICK HERE
When the home is completely empty, then this is a breeze.
Nothing blocks views of us. No need to move stuff to check for damage. It is documented that the home is completely empty via written and video reports.
Expectations
This allows us to set expectations from the get-go with residents.
We told them prior to move-in day that they can be prepared to have the home completely empty, clean and functional.
After we conduct the walkthrough on move-in, we tell the residents:
“Take another look around at the home. See how completely empty it is. This expectation was set during our lease signing, remember? You can anticipate the same to be true whenever the move out happens. Got it empty, return it empty.”
This is cracking down on the instances of getting to the move out and hearing: “It was there when I moved in.”
Those words echo through existing rental managers and owners. Let’s avoid that.
Set the expectations off the rip.
Reiterate the message leading up to move-in day.
Get them to pause and notice during the move-in walkthrough. Let it sink in.
When you receive a move-out notice, remind the residents constantly of their expectations.
Charge the deposit if it wasn’t met. (Given the report justifies it)
Liability
Rental Owners in Bellingham, WA are already soaked in litigious responsibility. Please don’t make it even harder than it needs to be by volunteering yourself for more liability.
At no additional benefit - either!
There is no extra revenue. No boost in resident retention. No equity or property preservation play.
Nothing but additional liability.
For example, leaving the lawn mower.
You think this is a brilliant idea. Provide the lawn mower to the residents. This will allow them to maintain the landscaping. Plus, they won’t have to buy one. And, you won’t have to move it. Awesome!
Resident moves in with the lovely landlord lawn mower.
Everything is going great until…
Resident slips one wet spring day, and the lawn mower rolls over their foot.
Now there are medical bills, and attorneys.
One question will be asked: “Who’s lawn mower chopped off who’s foot?”
*Gavel slams podium as judge closes session*
This goes for every item on the list above.
As crazy it may seem. But we’ve all seen the headlines.
Don’t be a headline!
Please just remove everything from the property. Donate it, give it away, sell it, toss it, throw it out – whatever you need to do to get it off the premises.
I know there are good intentions behind it. But this is business, there are risks. We’re here to make money.
We need to stack the deck in our favor by providing clear expectations to residents and an empty home.
Then, follow through with what was set until the end of time.
If you’re a rental owner in Bellingham, we have a free online community where we dive into detail all the processes (like this one) we use to efficiently manage single-family rentals.
This is a place to get the information nobody else is willing to share and hang out with other Bellingham Rental Owners like you.
Join other Bellingham Rental Owners here.
See you there!
