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Rental keys turned in? Now what?

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Services for Real Estate Pros with Homepointe

It is very important to immediately walk a vacant unit once the tenant has turned in their key.  Ideally an inspection should be done within hours of receiving their keys.  I call out for a rekey as soon as I have the new key in hand.  I use the existing key to access the home and install a lockbox for the locksmith.  The time between tenants turning in a key and the agent or landlord securing the home leaves open ample opportunity for bad things to happen.  Think spare keys left for friends, family and opportunists.

 The majority of the time all is well--the people vacating are the same good tenants you placed.  However, despite them being excellent tenants, moving out of a property has a lot of steps and often times some of them can be missed.  In conjunction with the normal thorough inspection, agents and landlords need to inspect properties quickly after receiving keys to secure the home.  Windows and doors are often left open or unlocked and lights are left on.  I have found ovens on 500 degrees as they were trying to perform a self cleaning function on their way out.  Thermostats left way up or way down and lights left on all cost your client once possession is transferred out of the tenant's name.  Slide the locks on garage doors as auto openers can easily be hacked.

For more tips on handling rentals in Sacramento, rentals in Natomas, rentals in Roseville and beyond please do not hesitate to contact me.

James Safonov

Homepointe Property Management

jsafonov@homepointe.com

www.homepointe.com

#916-781-7075 x650

#916-429-1205 x650 after hours vm

Comments (8)

Brenda, Ron, Lee Cunningham & Tara Keator
West USA Realty - Phoenix, AZ
Realtors, Homes for Sale - Phoenix Metro

Good point.  We have considered property management for our investors with nice properties.  We did it for ourselves in the past.  Just not sure if I want to jump it.  Will have to take some refresher courses.  Any suggestions?

Thanks!

Mar 24, 2011 01:31 PM
Sharon Lord
Maracay Homes - Peoria, AZ
New Home Advisor

Great points, James!  I never even thought about re-programming garage openers....but I'm sure some thieves have!

Mar 24, 2011 01:32 PM
Wallace S. Gibson, CPM
Gibson Management Group, Ltd. - Charlottesville, VA
LandlordWhisperer

State laws often dictate what happens next....many states require a common walkthrough with the residents....having the utilities kept on AND ready for the next residents are the EASY part

Since most cars now allow for auto programming with garage doors, I allow residents to re-program them  so as to not have to carry an opener BUT not allow for the change the door locks.  I have not found that to EVER be necessary

Mar 24, 2011 11:15 PM
Robert Machado
Homepointe - Sacramento, CA

Brenda and Ron, thank you for the comment.  Here in Sacramento we have several options to re-educate ourselves.  I suggest looking up our local AZ affiliate of NARPM.  NARPM stands for National Association of Residential Property Managers.  The luncheons are fun and educational.  It is a fantastic source for all things property management.  You can find an affiliate at www.narpm.org.

Good luck and tell me what you think.

--James Safonov

Mar 25, 2011 06:54 AM
Robert Machado
Homepointe - Sacramento, CA

Sharon and Wallace, thank you for reading and commenting.  Locking the garage door or simply unplugging the auto opener will take care of it too.

-James Safonov

Mar 25, 2011 07:02 AM
Wallace S. Gibson, CPM
Gibson Management Group, Ltd. - Charlottesville, VA
LandlordWhisperer

James * I require that garage door openers be left on the kitchen counters of the home and the keys be turned in to my office.  I start my inspection with keys already in the keybox at the property so that I know if the locks have been changed by the residents.

Mar 25, 2011 11:18 PM
Robert Machado
Homepointe - Sacramento, CA

We also request they leave the garage remote at the home when vacating..the problem with auto garage door codes is they can be easily cloned and or just randomly hacked with a basic scanner.  By sliding the manual lock or simply unplugging the auto opener you disable the access point.

-James Safonov 

Mar 26, 2011 08:02 AM
Wallace S. Gibson, CPM
Gibson Management Group, Ltd. - Charlottesville, VA
LandlordWhisperer

Fortunately, my properties with garages rent so fast, I don't have time to unplug and plug back in....Sign goes up and they rent from my website. 

Mar 26, 2011 12:03 PM