When you are moving out of your current apartment, someone’s going to be moving in to fill the vacancy you’ll create. Depending on your situation, the turnaround time between you moving out and the next tenant moving in can be very, very short. Typically, that means that the prospective tenant will want to do a walkthrough of the unit while you are still living it. This can be stressful for some, regardless of whether it’s their duty to show off the unit or their landlord’s duty. You and your belongings are still occupying the space, and you may be concerned about a complete stranger walking through your current living space. If you are unsure how to navigate the situation, keep reading for tips on how to safely show your apartment if you are moving out.
Schedule a walkthrough as far in advance as possible
Scheduling any walkthrough is going to make it easier for everyone involved. The more specific you are with the scheduling, the better. If you offer an open window to a prospective resident, such as an entire afternoon, you could be sitting around all day waiting for them to show up. Giving them a specific time, such as noon, can have everyone on the same page and prepared for the walkthrough.
Rely on shorter, individual showings rather than offering an open house to any prospective tenants. Open houses may sound more convenient and effective as you only have to figure out a day or two of availability and have multiple showings at the same time, however, they can make it more difficult. Open houses can let anyone just walk through the door and make it even more difficult to keep an eye on everyone as they walk about your living space.
Make guided walkthroughs an absolute necessity
When you are scheduling to show off your apartment, you want to make sure you are scheduling a showing so that either you, your roommate(s), or your landlord can be in the unit to have a completely guided walkthrough of the apartment. You definitely do not want to have a stranger walking around your apartment unattended while all of your belongings are still present in the space.
Guiding the prospective tenant yourself can give you the peace of mind that none of your belongings are at risk of being touched/taken and give you the chance to show the best parts of your unit firsthand. If your landlord is the one showing off the unit to the prospective tenant, make sure the both of you are on the same page when it comes to supervising the prospective tenant. Your landlord may think it is perfectly okay to leave the apartment unlocked and let the prospective tenant do their own walkthrough as they sit outside your apartment until they are done. Communicate with your landlord to establish any and all expectations.
Let the prospective tenants know of any rules beforehand
It is completely understandable for you or your roommates to feel uncomfortable letting strangers into their living spaces during the pandemic. If you are concerned about taking proper safety precautions, work with your landlord and/or prospective tenant to look at your options. You can still offer an in-person walkthrough with extra precautions, such as having everyone involved wear masks.
If an in-person showing is something you do not even want to consider to COVID concerns, ask about offering virtual showings via recorded video and photos. Sure, the prospective tenant is not going to get the full experience of an in-person walkthrough, but they can get the general feel of the unit and look at the current conditions through recorded videos and photos of the unit.
If you are expecting the prospective tenant to follow some rules, whether COVID-related or not, you should let them know ahead of time so they can prepare accordingly. Some rules you may consider are taking off shoes before entering, not bringing extra guests, and so on.
Tidy up your living space
Prior to the showing(s), make sure you tidy up your space by cleaning up and stowing away any belongings you don’t want strangers to touch and see. You want to show the very best of your unit, and showing a cluttered space that isn’t clean is not going to help show why your unit is worth renting. This doesn’t mean you have to deep clean every nook and cranny, but you shouldn’t have piles of clothes around, dirty dishes out and about, and messy countertops during a showing.
Make sure walkways and floors are cleared for the walkthrough to avoid any additional hazards. If you do have pets, make plans on how you are handling them during the showing. You may opt to have them taken out on a walk with your roommate during the showing, or secured in a crate. Another option is to have your pet temporarily stay with a friend while you coordinate showings over a few days. While you are okay with your pet being out while your apartment is being shown, the prospective tenant may not be so comfortable with them.
Showing off your apartments can be a bit of an inconvenience, but with proper planning and precautions, you can safely show off your apartment before you even move out.
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