Tips for Smooth Tenant Move-Outs

Yes, You Can Take It With You When You Go

landlord help

You would think that tenant move-outs would be easier. After all, it boils down to simple math: if you brought it in, then you have to take it with you when you go.

But we often hear complaints from landlords whose tenants decided to leave a little something behind, like the couch, a stack of old pizza boxes outside the recycling bins, or even pets.

This can cost a landlord in a number of ways, including delays for the incoming tenant, emergency trash hauling, and possible storage fees.

And that’s not to mention complaints from neighbors and city officials.

Before a scheduled move out, go over the process with your tenants:

Provide the phone number for large-item trash hauling and explain that any costs belong to the tenant.

Explain the space time continuum as it relates to overfilling the dumpster on the day of the move out.  There is a finite amount of space, and trash fairies don’t just glide by and sweep away what’s piled up on the ground nearby.  Encourage tenants to think ahead and donate unwanted items in advance, or throw away junk over the course of weeks, not hours.

Convey any policy you may have on yard sales.

Remind tenants to forward their mail — so they get any notices you have to send. Always get a forwarding address.

Encourage them to board their pets on moving day to avoid the freaked out cat holed up in the laundry room scenario.

Be sure to cover how to transfer utilities. (If the tenant shuts them off, you may not be able to clean up after them.)

No, the next tenant does not want your leftover food or houseplants.

If there is storage available, offer it to the tenant a month ahead to encourage a head start on packing boxes.

Remind the tenant of the move-out walk through requirement, and make sure they have a copy of the move-in inspection checklist for comparison.

Many states require that the landlord store any abandoned items, inventory them, and send out a notice to the tenant to come pick them up. This includes protecting it from contractors who are in the unit getting it ready for the next tenant.

Kicking property to the curb may not be an option. Nor is giving it away.

Make sure you know whats required of you, or you may be paying the tenant, not the other way around.

See Getting Rid of What Your Tenants Leave Behind.

American Apartment Owners Association offers discounts on products and services for landlords related to your rental housing investment, including rental forms, tenant debt collection, tenant background checks, insurance and financing. Find out more at www.joinaaoa.org.