Odors
First, you want to check for any potential odors. If you walk into a room and you smell a strong room fragrance, air freshener, or strong cleaning products (like bleach), that’s a red flag that the tenant is trying to mask an underlying odor, such as from pets or smoking. Wait until the strong scent dissipates, and then go back to find out what the tenant might have been hiding. Cat dander? Urine? Feces? Cigarette smoke? Marijuana? The place will need professional cleaning before you can allow another tenant in. You might need to take care of an issue that costs money—money that needs to come right out of the exiting tenant’s security deposit.
Bugs and Vermin
While the thought of bugs or vermin might cause you to cringe right to your very core, this is still a possibility to consider, and something you’ll need to inspect before returning the deposit and paving the way for another tenant. Evidence of bugs, mice, etc., won’t be obvious during a quick walkthrough inspection. You certainly won’t see the bugs and vermin themselves, but if you pay closer attention, you might notice droppings and other signs, especially if you take the required time. It’s also important that you learn what to look for, and how. If you find evidence, you’ll need to hire an exterminator. Guess what? This money needs to come from the security deposit. You need to get rid of your exiting tenant’s unwanted guests before your next tenant moves in.
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