Providing Excellent Move-Ins and Outs Will Leave Your Tenants at Ease

Maybe you’ve moved recently or maybe it’s been a few decades since you relocated, but as you probably remember – moving is stressful. As a San Francisco rental property owner, the process can be stressful for you, too. 

It doesn’t have to be.

The process can be efficient for you and easy for your tenants, especially if there are good systems in place. We’ve found that moving a tenant into your property is not terribly different from moving a tenant out. Inspecting and documenting the condition of the property will be the most critical part of both procedures. 

However, there are several nuances that you need to be aware of at each stage of the leasing process. If you want to successfully carry out the tenant move-in and move-out process for your San Francisco rental property, pay attention to these tips. 

Make Your Property Rent-Ready  

First, you have to deliver a terrific home for your new residents. You should do a complete inspection to make sure everything is working, safe, and habitable. Any last-minute repairs must be made, and the home should be professionally cleaned. Your inspection report should include photos, videos, and detailed descriptions. Make sure your tenants sign the condition report so everyone agrees on how the home looks when you hand over the keys. 

We also recommend that you introduce the property to your tenant. We know that signing the lease can be done electronically, and that’s especially important now when tenants are looking for contact-free services. But, there’s real value in walking through the property to show your tenants what they need to know about the home. Demonstrate how to turn off the water in case there’s a problem and point out where the air filters should be changed. Show them which keys are for which doors. Answer any questions they have about how the home functions. 

Review your San Francisco Lease Agreement 

Another important part of the move-in process is collecting the security deposit and the first month’s rent and signing the lease agreement. Electronic signing and online payments will keep your move-in process efficient and paper-free. However, make sure you’re available to answer any questions your residents may have, and talk about the most important parts of your lease agreement, such as the rent collection policy and how you expect maintenance to be reported. 

Provide Instructions at Move-Out

When your tenant provides the required written notice that they plan to vacate the property, you need to let them know what they should do before they leave. This information should also be in the lease agreement, but a reminder at the end of the tenancy will yield better results. Put the instructions in writing, and let the tenants know that you expect to receive a property that resembles the one you provided. 

Remember that California law requires you to offer your tenants an inspection before they move out, so you can discuss the things that may need to be done in order to receive their security deposit back. Not a lot of tenants accept this offer, but it can put both residents and landlords at ease during the move-out process.  

These are just a few of the things that will ensure you have a successful move-in and move-out experience with your San Francisco tenants. Contact us at Leading Properties if you need any help with the leasing or management of your San Francisco rental property.