Moving out of a rental home can be difficult for renters. If they have lived in a rental home for several years, they may have an attachment to the property even after they have turned in the keys. If they haven’t handled the move well, tenants may even try to take advantage of their prior occupancy by storing personal items on your Cranston property, coming back to pick up their mail, or even continuing to access the internet.
Although some renters might think that they can come back to the property to finish tasks or use amenities they used to enjoy, once they give the keys back to the property owner or property management company, the former tenant no longer has the right to access the property. If they do try to access the property or any amenities on the property, they are trespassing and violating the law.
As a property owner, you must explain this to your tenants. They may not understand that property owners and property management professionals need entry to the property immediately after a renter vacates to assess the state of the home and to start preparations for the next tenant. They may also not know that turning in their keys means that they have given up their right to possession of the property and even the right to personal property left at the home.
You can help your renters prepare to move out by providing a checklist of important tasks to do before they leave. Tenants should also know that basic move-out tasks like forwarding mail, moving out all possessions, and cleaning the property need to be done before the final exchange of keys. It is also essential to explain that admission to the property and all amenities is no longer allowed.
These conversations are our specialty at Real Property Management Providence. Our property management professionals can manage the move-out process from start to finish, ensuring that your tenants have the facts they need to surrender the property when they turn in the keys. For more details about how our Cranston property management services can assist you, contact us online or call us at 401-272-3300.
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.
