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Tenants Should Protect Themselves with a Video

By
Industry Observer

BEFORE and AFTER

video

Landlords have all sorts of things to worry about when renting out a property. Maintaining a building for rent can be most challenging. On the other hand, not all tenants have a perfect situation. This is a business transaction and while personal in nature, it needs to be handled as one. Trust is one thing, but when money enters into the picture it seems that many people have amnesia.

As a tenant it is important to know what your responsibilities are and take them seriously. The day you leave the apartment needs to be in the same condition that it was the day you moved in. One of the concerns about the condition of a property on move in day and then again on the day the keys are returned and you move on.

Recently I wrote a post on a crazy landlord and my tenants and how things are not always as simple as we hope they will be. Situations can turn into a he said she said and a day in court when both parties don't agree. Who has the time for that. Getting a security deposit returned is important for most everyone when moving out. I would also venture to say that most people do take care of the apartment or house they live in and any security deposit is quickly returned. The problem lies with a small percentage of people that don't always do the right thing.

ActiveRain member Lyn Sims made the best suggestion for how to advise our clients. When turning over the keys to brand new tenants, a video should be part of the deal. Take a video of the current condition and then forward it time stamped to your agent and to the landlord. This will serve as the "current condition" of the property. When the lease is over and your clients time is done, then a second video should be taken showing the status when the keys are released to the landlord. If a walkthru is done with the landlord, a written exchange should take place when those keys are turned over. Keeping everyone on the same page about condition will allow for security deposits to be released and everyone can stay out of small claims court.

Before and after video with a smart phone would take a minute or two. A complete documentation and exchange of information that makes perfect sense. Thanks Lyn for the great suggestion. A simple concept with great value.

published by: your real estate expert Janis Borgueta Hudson Valley Homes for Sale, as a community service in Newburgh NY. To receive more community and real estate information please subscribe to this blog. Looking to buy a new home? Search the MLS  for Homes in the Hudson Valley. You can contact Janis at (845)-527-7115 or find her on Google+ 

 

Comments (42)

Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

I think a video is a great idea. I have recommended buyers take photos, especially of items we note on the Move in-Move Out Checklist.

Apr 12, 2016 01:41 AM
Sandy Padula & Norm Padula, JD, GRI
HomeSmart Realty West & Florida Realty Investments - , CA
Presence, Persistence & Perseverance

Janis Borgueta This is excellent information and the time-stamping is so important to keep all honest!

Apr 12, 2016 01:44 AM
Gary L. Waters Broker Associate, Bucci Realty
Bucci Realty, Inc. - Melbourne, FL
Eighteen Years Experience in Brevard County

I moved around a lot in the military and rented in some locations. I started taking video as soon as had a camera (weighed a ton and was 8mm)! Excellent idea to protect yourself.

Apr 12, 2016 02:01 AM
Deb Espinoza
Stage Presence Homes, San Diego Real Estate - Ramona, CA
GRI, Broker, SRS,ABR ePro, SFR, CNE

super smart tip for tenant and landlord :o) and super easy to do!

 

Apr 12, 2016 03:26 AM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754
Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT
Central CT Real Estate Broker Serving all equally

I don't do a lot of rentals, but I do recommend to all that time dated photos should be taken and kept for the reasons you so well described.

Apr 12, 2016 04:17 AM
Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate
Fred Griffin Real Estate - Tallahassee, FL
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

     Many tenants live on the edge financially; they need that deposit back.  This is a great idea. 

Apr 12, 2016 04:26 AM
Toby Barnett
KW North Sound - Marysville, WA
Toby Barnett

Excellent advice for tenants. Video is a great way to document and protect themselves, sellers and buyers for that matter can benefit as well.

Apr 12, 2016 04:42 AM
David Alan Baker | Laveen & South Phoenix Realtor
Keller Williams Realty Phoenix - Laveen, AZ
Your local Expert

It is some great advice.  Kinda sad to think this is where we've ended up.  Having to find ways not to allow folks to take advantage of eachother.

Apr 12, 2016 05:29 AM
Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate
Fred Griffin Real Estate - Tallahassee, FL
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

This is a really good idea, for both Tenants and Landlords.

Apr 12, 2016 06:11 AM
Carla Muss-Jacobs, RETIRED
RETIRED / State License is Inactive - Portland, OR

It's good for landlords to do the same.  I installed brand new carpet and after move-in, there were tears, stains and it was not "normal" wear and tear.  Tenants tried to play that "it was there when we moved in" card.  Didn't work.

Apr 12, 2016 06:57 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Janis- what a good tool for tenants to use to protect themselves. It's something I'd never thought of. 

Apr 12, 2016 11:05 AM
Dan Dee McGinnis The Pumpkin Man
HomeSmart - Phoenix, AZ
The Pumpkin Man

Janis

Very good point, I have heard of this in the past.

Apr 12, 2016 01:50 PM
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC Calabasas CA

In my experience, some landlords should be protected from tenants, especially in Los Angeles rent control hood where LL has little or no rights. 

Apr 12, 2016 04:53 PM
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

I like the idea of printing out the photos if we need to take them to court. 

Apr 12, 2016 08:58 PM
Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers
Serving the Greater Phoenix and Scottsdale Metropolitan Area - Scottsdale, AZ
Haven Express @ Keller Williams Arizona Realty

Janis Borgueta "ActiveRain member Lyn Sims made the best suggestion for how to advise our clients. When turning over the keys to brand new tenants, a video should be part of the deal. Take a video of the current condition and then forward it time stamped to your agent and to the landlord. This will serve as the "current condition" of the property."  Although we rarely handle leases, this would be a great idea for documenting the condition at time of contract to be compared with final walkthrough of a sale.  Thanks to you and Lyn! Re-blog!

Apr 12, 2016 10:36 PM
Susan Laxson CRS
Palm Properties - La Quinta, CA
Realtor in San Diego, CA & Naples, FL

What a great idea and much better than our Move-in, Move-out checklist! Thank you for sharing and I will share with my associates who handle leases.

Apr 12, 2016 10:46 PM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Thanks to Lyn Sims for sharing this as a reblog. Congratulations on the feature. 

Apr 13, 2016 02:14 PM
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

Congratulations on the featured post. I will share it with others.

Apr 13, 2016 08:50 PM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

This is excellent advice. Congrats on the Feature!

Apr 18, 2016 01:25 AM
Gayle Rich-Boxman Fishhawk Lake Real Estate
John L Scott Market Center - Birkenfeld, OR
"Your Local Expert!" 503-739-3843

So simple, yet ingenious. These videos don't lie! 

Apr 25, 2016 12:43 PM