Did you thoroughly inspect before signing that rental Lease?
Many renters are so enthusiastic about finding there new home that
they rarely do any in-depth inspections. College students and first time
renters usually aren’t aware of issues that come up when it’s time to
get their security deposit back.
Most landlords will have the checklist ready for any pre-existing
situations to note during your move-in walk through, but are you aware
of all the items not listed on that checklist?
When you decide to leave from this rental you’ll also perform a
move-out walk through, comparing the condition of the home at move-out
to what it was at move-in. It’s to your advantage to prepare a list of
things you need to look at of your own, to ensure the landlord notes all
pre-existing conditions, so you won’t have to pay for conditions you
didn’t cause when it is time to leave. Listed below are just some of the
things you have to check.
Windows; Make sure the windows are all firmly sealed. Check for
cracks and moisture between panels and also by sliders, all windows
should be tempered. Look for any stains on the window sills. This might
be an indication that the windows were not sealed properly, and, in cold
weather, the windows may “sweat” on the inside. Landlords could say you
had a habit of leaving the windows open to cause the cracks and stains.
Doors; All doors must be painted on every side and there should be no
scrapes or holes in them. Open and close doors to check for correct
adjustment and alignment. Ensure all the knobs and locks are working
correctly.
Floor tiles; Search for uneven, loose, chipped or cracked floor tiles
especially in corners where it can easily be hidden. Be sure grout
isn’t cracked or missing.
Home and kitchen appliances; Examine the appliances and make sure
they work, test to see it’s working properly. Same thing goes for the
gas, electricity, plumbing, garbage disposal and water. With the water,
run 2-3 different water taps at a time and see if the pipes make any
noise. These must all be tested.
It’s highly recommended that you bring your own walk through
checklist along when; this way you won’t overlook any of these essential
items as well as showing your landlord you know a thing or two and
you’re serious about the quality of your surroundings.
When it comes time for your move-out walk through, you won’t be held liable for conditions you didn’t cause.
Bold Real Estate Group.
Your one-stop source for residential and commercial real estate. Our
site makes your search for Florida Real Estate very easy. The site
includes all Florida properties for sale or rent in a searchable online
database by Listing City or MLS Number. We assist Buyers, Renters and
Sellers Locally, Nationally and Internationally. Bold Real Estate Group
strives to provide the highest standard of real estate service by
combining today’s technologies with yesterday’s caring attitude. Our
goal is to give our clients the confidence to know that their
transaction will be completed successfully.
About the Author: Millie Gil is a licensed Real Estate Broker and Vice President of Bold Real Estate Group. For more information please forward email to communityinfo@comcast.net