How to Prepare for New Tenants

Updated: January 11, 2018

If you’re a property owner in Dallas, you probably know the basics of getting ready to lease your property to a new tenant. You need to get inspections done, fill out all the necessary paperwork, and hire a Dallas property manager to take care of the rest. Before your tenants move in, there are a few things you should put on your to-do list.

Screen New Tenants

If you’ve found a great tenant, be sure to do your due diligence and check into their background. Our Dallas property management company does tenant screening to make sure our properties don’t have the wrong people living in them. We look for things like past evictions, how long they stay at properties, and their credit score. If a tenant is looking to move in immediately, it can be a red flag indicating that they’re poor planners.

Walk Through the Property

Before your tenant moves in, walk through your property to document how things look and if everything is in working order. Also, make sure your tenant does the same thing. This protects both you and your tenant when they eventually move out. Having photographs of the property helps both parties determine who is at fault for any damages done. Your property manager will most likely be able to coordinate all of this.

Collect Rent and Deposits

It’s up to you and your rental property manager to determine what fees or deposits are due before move in day. If you require a pet deposit, make sure that it’s been paid before you hand over the keys. The up front costs of moving are certainly expensive for new tenants, but your tenants should be aware of this before they sign the lease.

Go Over the Lease With the Tenant

Have your property manager sit down with the tenant and go over the entire lease so there’s no confusion. Highlight important dates to bring their attention to them and make sure they understand when rent is due every month. Also go over what is and isn’t allowed in your rental property. Making sure everyone is clear on the lease and knows what to expect saves you from problems later on.

Hire a Professional Dallas Property Management Company

Whether you have a single property or part of a real estate hedge fund group with multiple properties, hiring a property management company to take care of the property and your tenants is important. At HUNTAHOME, we take care of everything from tenant screening to eviction services. If you want the right people managing your properties, then get in touch with us to learn more about our services.