Tenants Should Protect Themselves with a Video
This is a great idea for both Landlords & Tenants with the upcoming busy moving season. Document how the place is BEFORE you turn over the keys and for tenants BEFORE you vacate. There can't be many complaints if you have a thorough documention in video with your cell phone or camera.
Thanks to Janis Borgueta for mentioning me in this post.
BEFORE and AFTER
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+
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