Last time, we discussed tips on how to welcome your tenants into their new home. Unfortunately, we also have to see great tenants go and say goodbye. Today, we are going to walk through some of our tips to close out a past tenant and reset to be ready to hit the ground running and find new ones!
1. Preparation is Key
Our lease requires that our tenants provide us with 30 days notice if they will not be renewing their lease. To better prepare for this scenario, we send an email to our tenants 60 days before the end of their lease asking if they will be renewing or not, letting them know that they need to provide an answer within 30 days. This provides our tenants with an opportunity to tell us earlier if they are moving out (or if they are staying). If we can know earlier that they will be moving out, it provides us with more time to prepare for the turnover process. If the tenants are leaving, we provide them with a copy of their Move In Checklist along with a common deductions sheet for their security deposit so they can prepare the rental accordingly.
2. Final Walk Through
When the tenants have moved everything from the rental property, it is time to meet to conduct a final walk through and collect the keys. During this time, bring your Move In checklist that you completed upon move in to cross check for any security deposit dings. Also use this time to ask the tenants for any feedback on the rental, their experience, and working with you. This can help you improve the property and your skills as a landlord!
3. Close Out Final Bills and Payments
Confirm with the tenants that they have paid any final payments of their utility bills and switch them back into your name. If you have any other bills that you charge them personally, let them know if you will continue to be in touch after move out and set the expectation that these bills will be coming due. We keep the tenants Cozy.co account open until their final payment is complete and processed. Make sure that you receive their new home address if there is anything you need to mail them in the future, think packages or important mail delivered to your property!
4. Ask for a Review
Last but not least, ask the tenants to leave you a review on your Google My Business page or any social media! Great tenants are usually friends with other great tenants, and their review could go a long way via referrals. Let them know that if they ever need anything down the road that you can assist and to pass along your information to their peers.