Rental Move In Tips
Rental move in tips include steps for both landlords and tenants to take, to ensure a more successful tenancy and understanding of expectations.
Typically, a move-in is an appointment with both the landlord (or landlord’s agent/property manager) and new tenants. This is usually the day before or day of the lease start date. Tenants should have all move-in money ready, and most likely requires first month’s rent plus security deposit to be in the form of a cashier’s check or money orders (cleared funds).
With the handing of move-in money to the landlord/agent, the tenants then receive the keys.
But there are a few things you should be aware of, and should do, while you have the opportunity. Follow these tips and you’ll be protecting your security money and ensuring a much happier tenancy.
So what move in tips will help to create a more successful tenancy?
#1 Rental Move In Tip?
Move-ins should be done with Landlord/Property Manager AND Tenant!
This is the best opportunity for questions to be answered about how things work, document anything that needs a repair, discuss expectations.
It’s best to do a rental move in with landlord and new tenants together. There are situations where arrangements might be made to drop off move-in money, and pick up keys. But that’s not advisable if you can avoid it. Instead, it’s best to schedule a move-in prior to the day the lease starts, with landlord or their agent/property manager present and with new tenants.
Meet at the property, rather than in an office elsewhere. Tenants should make sure the move-in is payable as requested (most often move-in money needs to be in the form of a cashier’s check or money orders, i.e. cleared funds). And make sure the Payable To is correct according to the executed lease. The money will be exchanged for a set of keys.
At this move in, important subjects should be discussed. For instance, questions about pest control or lawn maintenance and whose responsibility?
What about utilities, are they transferred to the new tenants yet? Are there any gas appliances or are any of the appliances leased and what are those details and responsibilities?
What size AC filter and how to change it and how often. Is there anything quirky that the landlord wants to point out? Ask all of your questions BEFORE you move in. For instance:
#1 Ask How Things Work (especially changing the AC filter)!
ASK HOW TO CHANGE THE AC FILTER
Most leases specify that the tenant is responsible for changing the AC filter monthly. Does your lease include responsibilities for the AC filter?
Changing the AC filter should be done ONCE PER MONTH. Why? Dust, pollen, dog hair etc builds up in the air. It all goes through the AC filter. The AC filter gets dirty. If left for more than a month, it will get VERY dirty and clogs the air flow to the AC unit.
It becomes BAD FOR YOUR HEALTH, bad for the healthy of your children or roommates, and ESPECIALLY bad for those who suffer from asthma or related breathing problems. A clogged AC filter causes gunk build-up on the coil, and all sorts of issues including clogged drain pipes, water leaks inside the home, and burned out motors. Tenants could potentially be held liable for those repair bills IF they were a result of not keeping the AC filter clean. MORE ON HOW TO CHANGE AC FILTER
What else do you need to know... Pool? Septic System? Gas Appliances?
If the property has any non-ordinary systems that you are in any way unsure of… ask for a demonstration! Ask to be shown how to maintain the systems and elements in the rental property. If it’s your responsibility to maintain it, you’ll want to make sure you know how!
HAVE THEM SHOW YOU HOW TO WORK THINGS! WHY? If the property has a pool, whether or not pool maintenance is included in your rent… it’s a good idea to have a general idea of how the pool is maintained, what the equipment is for, and any expectations the landlord has of you.
Septic system? It’s VERY important that the landlord shows you where the drain field is, so you can look out for any warning signs that may indicate that it needs a pump out BEFORE any real problems happen.
You’ll want to know where it is, also because you can’t park on top of it, or put anything heavy there. Ask for any other advice or instruction on how they expect you to help maintain a healthy septic system.
Gas appliances? Ask for them to point out where the gas line is. If you are responsible for paying for your own gas, you’ll want to know where the gas/utility company will need access to. And often, gas appliances are leased. If this is the case, does the landlord want you to contact the leasing company directly in the event the appliance isn’t working correctly?
Whether or not you are directly responsible for these elements in the rental property, you COULD lose security or more IF they find that you’ve been negligent and your negligence has caused the landlord any amount of expense.#3 Take Video and Photos of entire property at move-in
Slowly walking through the property while video’ing is also a great idea. Video will pick up anything missed in photos. Why do you want photos and video of the condition of the property before you move in?
1. Tenants should take video and photos at move in to help protect their security deposit. Keep record of imperfections or non-working items. With a photographic record, even if the landlord forgets and thinks this new tenant is responsible, there is proof of who is and is not responsible.
2) Tenants should keep record of the condition of the property at move in to remind how to return the property back to the landlord at move-out. If the landlord had the property professionally cleaned, carpets shampoo’d etc, to make sure you were moving into a very clean place… the property should be returned in the same clean condition.
Bonus Tip!
Connect Utilities Early!
Tenants: connect utilities at least a day earlier than when you plan to move in. Why? You want to make sure any food you’re moving into the refrigerator doesn’t go bad! Also, you’ll want to make sure the AC (or heat) is on when you’re moving your furniture in!
Landlords do not have a legal obligation to keep utilities on for you in Florida (unless it’s specified in a lease – very rare).
