If your tenants are heading out on vacation and leaving your rental unit vacant for weeks should they tell you? That is this week’s question for veteran landlord and property manager Hank Rossi.
Dear Landlord Hank:
Should tenants tell you when they go on vacation? Do you require it? Do you worry about your rentals being vacant for a couple of weeks?
– Landlord Will
Dear Landlord Will,
I let my tenants know when they move into a property, that they are responsible for the unit as if it were they own personal home. And, they have to be smart about living in the property.
They have been shown where the main water cut off is to the property. If they are going to be away for any length of time, they have been instructed to turn this off.
If you live in a cold climate and it’s winter, hopefully you would have instructed them on avoiding freezing water pipes.
I let my tenants know that the air conditioner must be on in the summer time whether they are in residence or not, to avoid mold/mildew growth. That is in the lease too.
Also, make sure your home owners insurance is up to date and fully covers your property.
I also strongly suggest tenants get “renter insurance” and it is strongly suggested in my lease, too.
I don’t ask tenants to tell me they are going on vacation and I don’t worry about it. I’ve never had a problem related to this situation.
If you feel uneasy about your current tenants, talk to them and tell they you’d like to know if they are leaving for vacation so you can keep an eye on “their place” to make sure all is well in their absence.
Sincerely,
Hank Rossi
Other recent posts you may have missed:
Dear Landlord Hank: Do You Conduct Rental Inspections? How Often?
Dear Landlord Hank: How Do I Motivate My Tenants To Conserve Water?
Is An Old Drug Conviction A Big Deal?
Dear Landlord Hank: Should I Give A Tenant More Time To Pay?
