By: Stephen Beitinger, ARM® | Property Supervisor
So, you’re ready to move in to new place and aren’t sure what to do? Don’t worry – we’re here to help!
Moving into a new place can be stressful and there can be a lot of moving parts-pun intended. Deeply concerning of all is the large expense! One of the most important things you can do is to READ YOUR LEASE. This is the binding agreement of expectations for you and your landlord/management company- who is responsible for what? For example, most leases also provide a breakdown of what you are responsible for – maintenance, utilities, etc – and is a great reference throughout your residency.
Renter’s Insurance
After you’ve spent all that time moving your belongings, you’re going to want to make sure they are protected. Unfortunately, leaks and other issues can happen that may damage your belongings or cause you to have to move out for some time. Usually, the owner’s insurance doesn’t cover your personal belongings and having renter’s insurance will help make sure your things are protected. I’ve managed a home where there was a roof leak and the water damaged the resident’s belongings. Without renter’s insurance, they may have not been able to have those items covered. It’s usually best to bundle with your car insurance and recommended that you talk with your preferred insurance agent to identify the best coverage options for you.
Move In Assessment and Photos
It should be pretty standard for the landlord to do a move-in assessment prior to your move-in to document the condition of the home. This should be shared with you and they should invite you to make any comments on what they’ve documented to make sure you are all on the same page on the condition of the home when you moved in. You should also take the time to walk your new home and make note of any damages or areas of concerns and submit them to your landlord in writing along with any pictures. It’s important to document your findings as soon as possible. Doing so will make for a smoother move out process once you do decide to vacate. This is also a great time to mention anything that may need a repair.
Who to call in an emergency?
You will also want to gather information on who to contact. There may be someone different to reach out to during the week and for emergencies. Emergencies typically consist of fire or flood and knowing who to contact will save you from a much larger headache.
If you keep an open line of communication with your landlord your move-in should be a smooth process. Let them know if any issues come up or if you have any questions or concerns and make sure that you’ve thoroughly documented the property at move-in.
For more information please call 619-286-7600 or visit www.fbs-pm.com
For a current list of available properties visit: https://fbs-pm.com/renter-services/rental-search/
