A.D. Cantelmo Property Management Company
Our Business is Property Management in Orange County California
Doing
a final walk through is personal
I was doing a final walk through
the other day and I was thinking how it is very easy for the Tenants to take
what I say and what I do personally. It’s understandable that the Tenants who
have been living there for 3 years and who were very good Tenants, to think that
everything in the home was left in good shape.
Making a Judgement?
It’s not always easy walking
through a home with the Tenants looking over your shoulder and every time you
ask a question they look at you like you are making a judgment on them and the
way they live. In all honesty, some people need to take the blinders off and
take a really good look at themselves and the home they are leaving.
A home that is being rented is supposed
to be left in the same condition that it was in when The Tenants moved in the property.
Now there is normal wear and tear that is expected, especially if the Tenant
has been in the property for a long period of time. Landlords of course want the
property to be left in perfect shape for new Tenants to be able to move in
without any repairs needed, but that is not realistic.
Walking a tight rope
The balancing act that a Property
Manager has to do with regard to being fair to the Tenants, who are moving out
and the Landlord who wants a perfect property is difficult at best.
How I do my final walk through is
that I try and make it a friendly and non confrontational event. I first
explain to the Tenants before I start that it is not personal. I also explain
to them that it will be 21 days before they can expect any proceeds to come
back to them. I explain to them that it is impossible to get a full picture of
the property until the Tenants are out and I as a Property Manager am able to
spend some time in the property getting it new Tenant ready. I always find
thing in that process that may or may not be attributed to the Tenant.
As I walk through the property, I
openly tell the Tenants what I see and allow them to explain any reason
something is catching my eye. There are no surprises; I am completely honest
with them no matter how uncomfortable it may be.
When I make my final judgment on
how much if any deductions from the deposit I need to make, I hope that the
Tenants are not surprised. They may be angry and that is par for the course,
but hopefully, because of my openness during the walk through, they have a good
idea of what to expect.
Understanding the frustration
Final walk through can be very
contentious and I have come to expect that. I try and put myself in the
position of the Tenant and that allows me to be very patient and forgiving to
something that might be said in the heat of the moment. Most of the time, Once
everyone gets past the emotion of the situation, calmer heads prevail. Not always
and there have been times when physical confrontation seemed like it was on the
table. That is rare and I have never had to defend myself, just take a lot of
verbal abuse. That comes with the territory.
A.D. Cantelmo Property
Management Service Specializes in Property Management in Orange
County Ca.