Property Owner’s Moving Checklist

This checklist will help to remind you, the homeowner, of things to consider as you move from your home and turn it in to a rental property, whether you are a do it yourselfer or turn your home over to a professional property manager to lease and manage. This is a busy time for you and we hope this helps to ease the burden of worrying about forgetting something and helps to prepare for the turnover.

Some items listed on this checklist may not apply to your circumstances. These are general items that should apply to most.


1. UTILITIES – Leave on in your name until the agreed upon date which will usually be the day the lease begins and the new tenant moves in. Then the property manager will call and remove your name and tenants will put in their name.


2. REPAIRS AND PREVENTITIVE MAINTENANCE – Taking care of repairs now may be easier and cheaper to do while you are still in possession of the property. Some items to consider are clean gutters, replace fluidmaster in back of toilet tank, change air/heat filters, repair broken windows and blinds, caulk tubs, repair leaky faucets, repair sprinklers.


3. KEYS – Your property manager will need three (3) sets of keys. One to retain and two for the new tenants. If you have no key to an exterior door or screen, or you have a separate key for each lock, have a locksmith rekey to all one key. Also, be sure to leave the garage door openers.


4. REMOVE ALL PERSONAL ITEMS FROM THE PROPERTY – Owners leaving behind personal items is one of the biggest mistakes in the rental process. It is best to remove all items from the attic, basement, garage, closets and storage areas. The tenant will have his own belongings and needs the space. You won’t be doing any favors leaving behind things that “the tenant might want”. Do not leave behind the lawn mower or other equipment. Remember, anything that you leave, you are responsible to maintain and you nor the property manager want the liability.


5. CUT THE GRASS – It is ideal to have the grass fresh and trimmed and edged and in good condition for the new tenant. A yard in good condition will set the standard for the condition expected to be maintained.


6. FINAL CLEANING OF THE PROPERTY – Remember, the better the condition you leave the home in, the more likely the tenant is to return it in the same condition. You may want to clean the property yourself, but a professional may save you valuable time so you don’t have to worry about it. Many times the tenant is disappointed in the condition of the property and will claim that it never was clean. If it was professionally cleaned, we have a track record and proof.


7. FORWARD YOUR MAIL TO YOUR NEW ADDRESS – Make sure you give the postmaster two weeks to make the change.


8. INSURANCE – Have you notified your insurance carrier of the change in your homeowner’s policy to reflect “landlord”.


9. WARRANTIES/CONTRACTS – Before you leave, make a copy of any record of any warranties you may have. Update your property manager on any landscaping maintenance that is still in effect. Same with pest control.