If You Moved It In - You Have To Move It Out!

How many times has a tenant moved out and left behind things that have cost you money to either haul away, throw away or even in some cases - have to find a home for?

When a tenant moves out- the only thing they are thinking about is their new home, being courteous to their new landlord and making their move as smooth and easy and possible.  And if that means leaving behind an old sofa bed couch that weighs a ton - they will.  They will also leave behind their trash, clothes they don't want, car parts, paint cans - and I've even heard of one case where a tenant left their pet because no pets were allowed in their new home.

Here are some tips to help make the move out process smoother for you and your almost former tenant: 

1. When tenants give notice, immediately provide them with move out instructions and another copy of the "move in" home condition report they signed.
2. Explain to tenants that any costs associated with hauling away items and dumping trash will be taken from their security deposit - so if they need (and most do!) their entire deposit back - this usually works.
3. Encourage tenants to throw away things a couple weeks ahead of time - not hours before moving.  Those trash dumpsters only hold a certain amount of waste and again, if trash spills over and HOA fines are assessed for leaving the bins out - two words - security deposit.
4. Food in a fridge and/or food in a fridge after the utilities have been turned off. If mold has to be cleaned out of a fridge, or it needs disinfecting or the fridge is "un-cleanable" - security deposit. Remind tenants to clean the fridge and remove their food.
5. Now about those items tenants leave behind. Many states have laws that say a landlord cannot just kick stuff to the curb or throw it out.  Follow the laws and if items have to be stored - again, security deposit.

Overall, it's best to communicate with tenants - ask them to just do the right things: get rid of their items, remove their trash, clean the place up and put it back in the same condition as when they received it.  Have your tenants follow the move in/move out checklist and keep the lines of communication open.