Moving out of a rental home can be stressful for renters. Once they have lived in a home for a few years, they may feel connected to the property even after they have turned in their keys. If they did not manage the move very well, tenants may try to take advantage of their prior occupancy by stashing personal items on your Rio Rancho property, coming back to pick up their mail, or even accessing the internet.
It is common for renters to think that they can come back to the property anytime to finish up a few tasks or continue to use amenities they used to enjoy. However, once they give the keys back to the property owner or property management company, the former tenant renounces all their prior rights to the rental home. If they do try to access the property or any related amenities, they are trespassing and violating the law.
As a property owner, you must disclose these details to your tenants. They may not know that property owners and property management professionals need access to the property as soon as a renter vacates to assess the home and make arrangements for the next tenant. They may also not understand that handing in their keys means they have given up their right to possession and may be giving up their right to personal property left at the rental home.
Helping your renters understand how to prepare to move out is an integral part of a successful rental process. Offering instructions for moving out, such as a checklist of necessary tasks, may go a long way toward helping your tenants complete the move-out correctly. Tenants should be notified that move-out tasks, such as forwarding mail, moving out all possessions, and cleaning the property, need to happen before the final exchange of keys. It is also important to clearly explain that access to the property and all amenities is no longer allowed.
These kinds of discussions are our specialty at Real Property Management Albuquerque. Our property management professionals can manage the move-out process from start to finish, making sure that your tenants have the information and resources they need to surrender the property when they turn in the keys. For more information about how our Rio Rancho property management services can benefit you, contact us online or call us at 505-831-8700.