Moving out of a rental home can be stressful for renters. If they have lived in a rental home for many years, they may feel attached to the property even when they have handed in the keys. If they haven’t dealt with the move well, tenants may take advantage of their prior occupancy by storing personal items on your Semmes property, coming back to pick up their mail, or even continuing to access the internet.
Some renters think that they can go back to the property to finish a few chores or use amenities they once enjoyed, but once the keys have been returned to the property owner or property management company, the former tenant no longer has the right to access the property. If they do try to access the property or use amenities at the property, they are trespassing and may be violating the law.
As a property owner, you need to explain this concept to your tenants. They may not know that property owners and property management professionals need to enter the property after a renter vacates to assess the state of the home and to begin arrangements for the next tenant. They may also not understand that handing in their keys means that they no longer have the right to possession of the rental home or the right to personal property left at the home.
It is essential that your renters understand everything related to the preparation of their move-out process. You can help them prepare for the move before the actual move-out date by offering instructions like a checklist of necessary tasks. Tenants should know that essential move-out tasks like forwarding mail, moving out all possessions, and cleaning the property need to be finished before the final exchange of keys. You should also explain that access to the property and all amenities is no longer permitted.
These kinds of conversations are our specialty at Real Property Management Azalea City. Our property management professionals can handle the move-out process from start to finish, making certain that your tenants have the information they need to surrender the property when they turn in the keys. For more information about how our Semmes property management services can benefit you, contact us online or call us at 251-345-6224.