Do you need help with how to avoid tenant damage?

Wondering how to avoid tenant damage? If you’re thinking of renting out your home, you probably have a bunch of concerns. In our experience, one of the biggest worries our Northern Virginia property management clients have is this one: “How do we make sure the tenants don’t destroy our place?”

Check out this video from our Northern Virginia Landlords 101 series to learn our pointers.

While it may seem to you that you don’t have much control over what happens in your home while you’re not there–you actually do. It’s really all about following three simple steps:

  • Documenting the property’s condition at move-in and move-out.
  • Doing periodic inspections.
  • Incentivizing the tenant to keep the place in good condition.

And for the landlord who’s leaving the area, these three steps generally require some expert assistance. That’s where professional property management comes in. There’s no mystery to it–just good vigilance at the right times. Here’s how an experienced property manager protects your home from damage.

A Property Condition Report Protects You AND Your Tenant

At WJD Management, with every new account and with every new tenancy in existing accounts, our property inspectors prepare a 12-page Property Condition Report (PCR). Tenants sign off on the PCR and it is this document which will be used as a point of reference at the end of the lease.

If tenants see a problem at the time they move in, such as a stain on the carpet, a scratch on the wall or any other items of concern, they can note those issues with as much detail as they care to include. Additionally, if any appliance is not functioning, the tenants can let WJD know so that it can be repaired or replaced right away.

In essence, tenants do their own walk-through, and they itemize any issues that they don’t want to get charged for at the end of the tenancy.

If you would like to learn more about WJD Management, please review our comprehensive Management Program guide. If you are ready to rent your home, feel free to take advantage of our exclusive FREE Rental Market Analysis. Finally, don’t forget to connect with us on social media! Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Pinterest for tips, ideas and updates.