Although the goal of any property manager is to reduce occupant turnover, there will inevitably be time to prepare a rental for a new occupant. Before your current occupant moves out, conduct a walkthrough of the property and note any maintenance items. Then, clearly outline anything that is their responsibility, like removing their belongings, deep cleaning, or fixing minor damages. Once your occupant has left, you can begin preparing the property for your new occupant.

Inspect, Clean, And Repair The Rental

Start by understanding federal and state housing quality standard requirements for property managers. At a minimum, you must meet these basic requirements. However, in most cases, you will have your standards of quality as well. Inspect the property for any maintenance issues, then schedule a deep cleaning and any repairs. Make sure to check:

  • Plumbing, electrical, and HVAC systems
  • The building infrastructure, including stairs, roofs, floors, and walls
  • Exterior structures, outbuildings, and landscaping

Also, check for rodents or insect infestations and environmental contaminants like mold, lead, or asbestos.

Secure And Upgrade The Rental

Once the apartment is cleaned and repaired, you can schedule any upgrades. Simple aesthetic upgrades like paint, new window treatments, and new flooring can go a long way to appeal to new occupants. Further, consider highly desirable upgrades like smart home features, updated eco-friendly appliances, and outdoor landscaping. You'll also want to secure the rental by changing the locks and monitoring it while vacant. Once the upgrades are complete, you can also take marketing photos and begin advertising the space.

Prepare Documentation For The New Tenant

Next, you'll need to prepare all the documentation. Start by writing a move-in checklist that documents the condition of the property before your new occupant moves in. Next, you'll need to put together the lease agreement and any disclosure forms required by law. Make sure that you also include emergency contact information for incident response.

Once you've found a great occupant, you can finally begin the move-in process. We put together a helpful list of 10 tips for a smooth move-in process to help simplify the move-in process. At Occupancy Solutions, we advise our partners on a number of processes. Whether you're a first-time property manager transitioning to your first occupant or an expert looking for new ways to streamline your move-in processes, we have you covered. Contact us to learn how we can help you grow your property management business.