Should Letting Agents and Landlords Make a Pre-Check Out Report?
Letting agents and landlords perform check-out inspections and reports as a matter of course. But have you considered making a pre-check out report too? This can be a handy tool for diffusing potential disputes and facilitating communication between the parties in a way that benefits both.
This article looks into the benefits of a pre-check out inspection and why it is worth considering if you want to add this to your tenancies in the future.
What is a Pre-Check Out Report?
A pre-check out report follows an inspection that takes place a short time, often around a month, before the tenancy runs out. While the check out inspection assesses the state of the property once the tenants have vacated in order to ascertain the condition and whether they must forfeit some of their deposit, the pre-check out process uncovers the condition of the property whilst the tenants still have time to rectify any issues.
The parties can set up a plan of action to bring the property to the required standard in time for the end of the tenancy.
Benefits of a Pre-Check Out Report
No surprises
In some circumstances, it can be a number of months or even years since the landlord last saw the inside of the property (depending on how often, if at all, they carry out inspections). By looking around a few weeks before the tenants move out, they are not met by an unwelcome surprise when they regain the key.
Understanding the condition of the property allows them to prepare the tasks they need to undertake and plan ahead.
Reducing disputes
When letting agents and landlords inspect properties after a tenant has moved out, they can often find damage caused by the tenant. At this point, the only course of action is to take money from the tenancy deposit, often causing a dispute with the tenant, especially when they were not expecting it to happen. This all takes place at a distance, which is not ideal for rational communication.
With a pre-check out report a month before they move out, there is time to discuss any issues in a calm and considered manner. The landlord can talk to the tenant in person and show them the areas where they believe there to be excess damage or wear. The tenant can have their say and they can reach an agreement together.
It gives the tenant some time to make right the damage and allow them to keep their full deposit.
Quicker return of deposits
Tenants often grow concerned over how quickly they will receive their deposit, and a pre-check out inspection helps to speed up the process. If the report shows that there are no problems, the landlord can make arrangements to return the deposit straight after a further inspection on the tenants leaving.
Otherwise, they will have to carry out a full inspection to ensure all is well after the tenants have moved out, delaying the timescale.
Get new tenants in more quickly
A letting agent or landlord entering the property for the first time at the end of the tenancy has no idea of how much work it will take to prepare the property for the next tenants. This means they cannot arrange for the materials of labour needed for the job until they have inspected.
After a pre-check out report, they have a few weeks to arrange the remedial work and can get started as soon as the tenants vacate, ensuring as little down time as possible.
Outsource Property Management
Our outsourced property management packages free you up to build your business rather than tie you up with tenancy matters. We deal with deposits, tenancy agreements, inspections and other essential aspects of your property management in a professional and efficient manner that maintains good relations between tenant and landlord or letting agent.
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