Let’s consider the process of moving new residents
into your San Diego rental property. You should have in hand a state-compliant lease for your rental house. Ensure that you have read and fully understand the lease, as well as both your and your new resident’s responsibilities with regard to the lease. Your new residents will expect that you can explain the lease aspects to them, and key terms/dates should be clear and concise. The lease signing time with your new resident also allows you to discuss the rules for items not specifically spelled out in the lease, including aspects such as city noise ordinance times, changing filters/lightbulbs, maintenance responsibilities, or any special neighborhood or association rules in existence.
After the lease is signed, you and the resident should do a move-in evaluation during which you note the following:
- Condition of the home
- Any damaged items
- Whether or not the damaged items will be repaired
If haven’t already, for future reference write down the make/model/serial number for appliances, as well as the size and number of filters/batteries needed.
You should also ensure that your new residents know the following:
- Where the breaker box is
- Water shut off
- How to work lawn sprinklers
- Garage door openers
Done correctly, the lease signing and move-in process will likely take you about two hours.
Your final step in the lease signing and move-in process is to actually give a set of keys and all other openers to your rental property to your new residents. However, keep in mind that you should not release keys until after the lease has been signed, monies due are collected, and your walk through evaluation of the house has been completed. This is because the exchange of keys represents a change in residency. Once the exchange takes place, you no longer have the right to come and go from your rental home as you please, and instead are required to provide your new residents the State mandated notice before you enter. Ensure that your new residents know how to reach you in case of an emergency. They should also know where and when to pay the monthly rent. After all this, you can shake hands, smile, and welcome them to the neighborhood.
Realevate Specialists can answer any additional questions you may have about the lease signing move-in process. Please contact us for more information.
We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the Nation. See Equal Housing Opportunity Statement for more information.
