If I am not mistaken, you are supposed to have the tenants sign the move in check list.

How do you do this without them looking at every little thing and nit picking.

I did not have a lot of trouble with it but a little.

I understand someone wants to know what they are signing and I had all of the important things on the list.

Thank you all for your time.

Plenty,

I had it in as part of my lease signing paperwork and had my notes on it as to damage already there. I missed a sun damaged blind and did not put down stress cracks on the living room wall which is skim coated paneling. That I am aware of there is really no way to stop these hairline cracks on this type of wall and there were only about three. We put this down on the list which is fine I just thought there might be a better way.

6, I explain that the purpose of the move in inspection sheet is to record the blemishes on the house that they the tenant COULD be held responsible for if lightening were to strike me dead before lease end.

Check your state law. Michigan gives the tenant seven days from move-in to fill out the checklist.

I asked my new tenants to look over the property and compile a "repair" list, just in case I missed something. I give them my email address and they have my cell phone number to text'ed me the list. I ask them to send me the list within the first week of occupancy.

Even through I have a "Move-In" list, I ask my new tenants to check things over and if they confirm my list is complete, to initial it. Such as Painting, Flooring, Blinds, Appliances, fixture, etc.

I have my move-in list and move-in photos completed before the rental agreement signing. Write your appliance model numbers and serial numbers on the move-in check list. It is just one more piece of paper for them in their move-in packet.

In MA we have to give tenants a statement of condition upon receipt of a SD or within 10 days of the beginning of a tenancy, whichever comes later. It has to be 12 point type with very specific wording at the top of it. The tenant has 15 days from receipt to agree or disagree with it. They can either accept it or make amendments to it. The LL has 15 additional days to respond, agreeing or disagreeing. If the tenant does neither it's presumed that they accept the condition as is stated in the statement of condition.

Since I always collect a SD, I do this. However even if I did not collect a SD, I would still issues a statement of condition. On mine I include "In the event the tenant does not sign & return this document within the 15 day time period it is deemed that they agree with all of the conditions listed above."

I send one around with the list while the other goes thru the lease with me, they switch places so the paper does not leave my property folder, I make a copy for them within a week - if you lose contact and they make notes important things are messed up your eviction case will be a mess.

6er,

The point of a solid lease is to stay in control of your investment.

I have taught for years the WRITTEN move in inspection, signed by the resident, and backed with 100 move in photos is the BEAT evidence in court. Now my judge is teaching that.

Stay in control. The signed inspection form is MY evidence and *I* need total control of it.

If the lease goes to eviction they do not argue about rent owed they argue about CONDITION.

First, there should not be anything wrong with the house. Fix it, clean it. That will attract better people. You’ll have to fix it someday so fix it now and enjoy the benefits of managing a better home. We use my 200 point checklist at turnover. I KNOW the house is ready.

BEFORE the lease signing we put a big checkmark on each room necaue it IS ok.

Do NOT let the res write on YOUR court evidence. And if there is a note write it for the judge. I might write ‘2” rust stain near closet’. The res would write ‘bedroom carpet stained’. These look very different to a judge.

Do NOT give your evidence to them to fill out and give back later. You lose control and may never see your vital evidence.

I DO NOT talk about walking around. They will add another 30 minutes and nit pick everything. They are welcome to walk around but we don’t interrupt the signing ceremony.

My lease is clear: the inspection form allows them 7 days to report in writing anything we missed. That gives them comfort and complies with MI law.

My form is clear AS IS. That saves me in coirt when they start complaining.

I go the house, change the locks, and take 100+ photos, exterior then interior. If they follow me there I make a point to include them in a few pics. I download the digital pics along with their scanned lease 123 Main folder/ 123 ‘19 Smith 2-2019.

People lie in court. Photos don’t.

Effects of age such as seasonal cracks are not written but are worthy of extra pics in case there are complaints. Looking for damage or missed repairs.

Hope that helps!

BRAD

*BEST* evidence.

YOU do the walk-through and note any defects yourself, and then show them the form and have them sign it saying they agree. Example:

1) Water stain 12" long on hallway wood floor near bedroom door

2) Refrigerator door dented on side, 4" dent

Have them sign and tell them these defects will not be fixed, but they will not be held responsible for them...property is "as is". If they call you the first week and find something, go check it out to see if it's something you missed.

I take lots of photos....at least 4 of each room and then specific photos of any areas of concern.

If they want to nit-pick, I have found two answers to work pretty well.

1) "We are only documenting things that you could be charged for on move-out, so normal wear and tear items do not apply"

2) "We are a reasonable company, and are not looking to hold people accountable for tiny issues. We will be reasonable on move-out if you're reasonable now. If tenants "nit pick" us on move-in, we tend to be more stringent when they move out"

A move-in checklist allows you to rent a property that's not in perfect condition. Maybe some nicks in the trim, dings in the countertop, scuffs in the hardwood, stuff that would be impossible to properly repair, and too expensive to replace. BUT these are also items that if THEY caused during THEIR tenancy, it would NOT be wear and tear and i WOULD deduct.

I tell the tenant, you use that to note the current condition of the house. I let them fill out the list to their hearts content, makes them happy. When I deduct from their deposit, I focus on the BIG items, the OBVIOUS stuff like leftover junk, broken windows, fistsized holes in walls, dented garage door etc

I DO NOT want a JUDGE deciding what and how much I can deduct damages for . So I am careful and let minor items slide unless they are really gross negligence on the part of the tenant (nasty water in fridge bottom for example). So the tenant knows themselves that all the items on the list they caused and are responsible for.

Thank you all for your responses.

I kept the paperwork in my site and they pointed out only a couple of items I did not already have listed. I made the added notes myself.

I also took around 86 pictures and took outside and inside.

I am not really complaining as it wasn't terrible I just thought I might could have done better.

My house is 1930 but is in pretty well maintained condition but there are scratches on the hardwoods and gauges(not a lot) in one room on new hardwood that would be expensive to repair and will likely just get damaged again. I see no reason to tear this out and replace at the moment as I would not be able to get anymore rent due to the area.

6er,

Photos: This is tedious but pays off in the end! You can never have too many pics. And they are FREE! so take more that think you will ever need. I'm averaging 120 on normal homes.

Take your time to get quality shots. Buy a clip on wide angle lens if using a phone.

First shot is the front of the house for identification.

Pics of every face of the exterior, 360 walk around, turn and get the yards and fences too.

Interior: Use a flash for every interior pic. lower all blinds to show they are intact.

Identifying shot of the room, tilt up for the ceiling and light, tilt down for the floor, stand in each corner and shoot diagonally facing the opposite corner. Minimum 6 per room.

Wall smudges: take several and from a 45 degree angle.

Front and back of every door (huge source of damage!)

Open the closet and get the inside of the door and a general view of the closet.

Appliances: front and sides if exposed. Open each for a good interior shot of each.

Thermostat, furnace. water heater, baseboard heaters, window air...anything that COULD possibly be damaged.

Close ups with a hand int he shot for size reference or hold up a tape measure.

Don't skip the garage, shed, basement. Those get damaged too.

My judge will NOT accept a video as evidence. He wants still pics. Not laptop or iPad viewings. Stills only.

I want a sharper pic than a still from a video.

My court now scans all evidence and hands it back so video won't work at all.

BRAD

6 bye

Brad, thank you for the detailed information. I didn't think about taking pictures of the inside of appliances.

6X6 It's nice to be missed????

Thank you myob I agree with your point.

I am all about saving a buck.

But sometimes you will work really hard to save that dollar instead of working on something that will make you money.

Jeffery has a bootcamp that includes a move in packet that you can modify to suit your needs.