Finding a tenant for your Witfield property is exciting, especially after watching the property sit vacant while expenses continue to accumulate.

But there is one important moment landlords sometimes rush through:

Handing over the keys.

The key handover shouldn't simply be the moment when you give a tenant access to the property. It should be the final step in a properly managed rental process.

Before handing over those keys, there are several things every Witfield landlord should make sure have been dealt with.

Make Sure the Tenant Has Been Properly Assessed

The first question shouldn't be "Can the tenant move in tomorrow?"

It should be "Have I made a properly informed decision about this applicant?"

Tenant screening can include affordability checks, credit information, employment information, rental history and appropriate verification of information supplied by the applicant.

A+ Properties provides a Tenant Screening & Risk Assessment service for landlords who want assistance with this process.

Our article on how to get good tenants for your rental property also explains why finding the right tenant involves more than simply advertising the property.

Make Sure the Lease Agreement Is Signed

The lease agreement is one of the most important documents in the rental relationship.

Both landlord and tenant should understand the agreement before occupation takes place.

This should include important matters such as the rental amount, payment arrangements, deposit, responsibilities of the parties, maintenance obligations, utilities, inspections, breach procedures and other applicable terms.

Our guide on what a good residential lease agreement should cover explains why the lease deserves careful attention.

Deal With the Deposit Properly

The deposit should not simply be treated as another payment towards getting the tenant into the property.

Landlords need to understand their legal obligations regarding rental deposits and how those funds must be handled.

The lease should clearly record the agreed deposit and the parties should understand how it will be dealt with at the appropriate stages of the tenancy.

Being organised with the deposit from the beginning can prevent unnecessary disputes later.

Complete a Proper Ingoing Inspection

This is one of the most important steps before occupation.

Landlord and tenant should inspect the property and record its condition at the beginning of the tenancy.

Photographs can also provide useful evidence of the property's condition at the time of occupation.

Don't simply take a few photographs of the living room and call it done.

Look at walls, floors, ceilings, doors, windows, cupboards, fittings, bathrooms, kitchens, appliances and other relevant areas of the property.

The more accurately the property's condition is recorded at the beginning, the easier it can be to identify genuine changes later.

Don't Leave Outstanding Repairs Until After Occupation

If you already know about a maintenance problem, don't assume it will somehow become less important once the tenant moves in.

Where possible, deal with outstanding repairs before occupation.

A property handed over in good condition establishes a better starting point for the landlord-tenant relationship.

It also demonstrates to the tenant that the landlord takes the condition of the property seriously.

Make Sure the Tenant Knows How Everything Works

A tenant shouldn't have to discover how your property operates through trial and error.

Where applicable, explain things such as:

• Prepaid electricity
• Water arrangements
• Access controls
• Remote controls and keys
• Alarm systems
• Gate and garage operation
• Refuse collection arrangements
• Body corporate or complex rules
• Emergency maintenance procedures

Five minutes of explanation can prevent hours of unnecessary confusion later.

Give the Tenant the Necessary Information

Make sure the tenant has access to the information they need during the tenancy.

This should include the relevant contact details for reporting maintenance problems and other matters that require the landlord or managing agent's attention.

If the property forms part of a sectional title or homeowners' association development, applicable rules should also be communicated to the tenant.

Don't Forget That the Tenant Is Also Assessing You

Landlords sometimes forget that the relationship works both ways.

While you are assessing whether the tenant is suitable for your property, the tenant is also deciding whether they want to remain in your property.

Clear communication, a properly prepared home and a professional handover can establish a positive relationship from day one.

The Key Handover Should Be the Beginning of the Tenancy—Not the Beginning of the Paperwork

By the time the keys are handed over, the important administrative work should already have been completed.

The tenant should have been assessed. The lease should be signed. The financial arrangements should be dealt with. The property condition should be recorded. Outstanding issues should be identified and responsibilities should be clear.

That is what turns a simple key handover into a properly managed commencement of a tenancy.

Thinking About Renting Out Your Witfield Property?

If you own a property in Witfield and are considering renting it out, you don't have to manage the entire process alone.

A+ Properties can assist landlords with marketing, tenant placement and the practical administration involved in establishing a rental.

If you're considering whether to sell or rent your property, start with our sell or rent service.

LET A+ PROPERTIES HELP YOU SELL OR RENT

If you already have a prospective tenant, you can also use our tenant placement service.

I'VE FOUND A TENANT – HELP ME PLACE THEM

And if you're considering managing the property yourself, read our comparison of self-managing versus professional property management.

Don't rush the key handover. A well-prepared tenancy starts before the tenant ever opens the front door.

A+ Properties — BUY // SELL // RENT SMARTLY