It might be fun to move into a new Williamsburg rental house. Also, now is the moment to safeguard your security deposit; how can you do this? A walk-through check after moving in. Regardless of whether your landlord offers a walkthrough checklist, you should still conduct one. It’s critical to follow these suggestions so you can get the most out of your move-in tour.
Get Personal
An in-person walkthrough is unmatched by anything else. Even if a helpful Williamsburg property manager claims to have checked the property out for you, you should still do your own inspection. Although the bulk of landlords won’t be trying to fool you on purpose, you still might find maintenance or other issues that weren’t mentioned in the report. If you don’t thoroughly inspect every area of your rental home, you might have to pay to fix something that was damaged before you even moved in.
Use a Checklist
Viewing every aspect of your rental property with attention can help you make the most of your move-in walkthrough. Use a walkthrough checklist to ensure that nothing has been overlooked. Some property managers may offer you a checklist, while others may not. If yours does not, there are numerous lists and guidelines available for download online. An inventory is crucial because it will focus your walkthrough and make sure nothing is missed. In addition, once you leave, you can compare things on your checklist.
Check for Potential Hazards
An exhaustive move-in examination can be ensured with the use of a checklist. Taking note of any potential health and safety hazards that might not be apparent at first sight is also crucial. For instance, be sure the appliances and smoke detectors in the new rental home are functioning properly. If your landlord did not give paperwork on the existence of lead paint or asbestos, make sure to request it. Before moving in, it’s vital to learn everything you can about the rental home because these contaminants have the potential to cause major health problems over time.
Document Everything
To make the most of your move-in inspection, you must do more than simply mark off items on a list. You must diligently and fully document every part of the property’s state before moving in to properly protect your security deposit from erroneous repair charges. Take copious notes—whether on the checklist or a separate page—about the conditions, the locations, and other details, no matter how minor. The majority of landlords will not attempt to ask you to repair an entire kitchen floor for a single damaged linoleum tile, but some may. Taking images of the house as you explore it is a fantastic additional option. Make certain to take a variety of close-up and wide-angle views and to store your photographs in a safe area.
Report Maintenance Issues
Once you have concluded your walkthrough and record keeping, submit any maintenance issues immediately. Damaged toilet seats, broken blinds, dripping faucets, and defective light switches or outlets might not seem like a huge concern, but if something is broken or not working before you move in, you have to alert the property manager right away. To make sure you have documentation of the reported difficulties, send them something in writing if at all possible. This will not only shield you from false allegations but also save your security deposit when you move out.
While it may require some more work, making the most of your move-in walkthrough is worthwhile. Doing everything you can to meticulously record the condition of your rental home when you move in will ensure that you get your security deposit back.
Do you desire a new residence? Real Property Management Dominion has the one for you! You can browse our listings online or call us at 757-395-4274.
Originally Published on July 17, 2020
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