Congratulations! You’ve set up a rental or exchange for your home and are preparing for your guests’ stay. While you probably have many things on your mind if you’re planning your own travels, it’s important to take time to prepare your space so it’s ready for your new tenant. We’ve compiled this comprehensive tenant move-in checklist to help ensure your home is ready and welcoming. As you go through each item, keep in mind that your tenant’s stay will be much more enjoyable if you’ve cleared off countertops and cupboards in the kitchen and bathrooms. Also, make space in closets and dresser drawers so they can unpack their clothing and settle in comfortably.
1. Schedule a Move-In Walkthrough
Before anything else on your tenant move-in checklist, plan to schedule a walkthrough with your tenant when they arrive. This is an opportunity to show them around your home, demonstrate how appliances and systems work, point out any quirks, and answer questions face-to-face. A walkthrough helps prevent misunderstandings and gives both parties peace of mind. Many members refer to their signed lease or contract to make sure they’ve covered all of the things in the home that the tenant will have access to and be using.
If you’ve put the time into making your home a welcoming space, the walkthrough should be seamless. Walk through each room together, test that everything is working, and document the condition of the home. This protects both you and your tenant from misunderstandings and sets a positive tone for their stay.
If your locations and schedules do not allow an in-person walk-through, consider doing a live video meeting or creating a video that you narrate as you walk through your home.
Related: Should I Do a Walkthrough at Move-In and Move-Out?
2. Leave Essential Information for Your Tenant
Your tenants will need essential information about your home. You can compile this using our fillable PDF guest notebook. Start by creating a contact list that includes your own information along with a few trusted friends or neighbors who can answer questions about your home or neighborhood. Add contact details for a building manager or handyman who can help with minor fixes or reach a plumber or electrician if needed, and don’t forget local emergency services numbers.
In addition, put together a guide to how things work in your home. This should cover your Wi-Fi password, how to operate any quirky appliances, what not to put in the garbage disposal, and other helpful tips. Include anything that happens on a regular schedule, such as trash collection day or automatic sprinklers. Note your city’s recycling and composting rules, explain how the heating and air conditioning system works, and mention where you keep replacement items like light bulbs and smoke detector batteries. If you have a smart TV or streaming setup, a quick bullet-point list of instructions goes a long way.
Email the notebook or instructions to your tenants before they arrive and print copies to keep in a central spot in your home.
Related: Notebook for Your Visitors and Guests
3. Have Spare Keys Made
This is a simple but sometimes overlooked item on the tenant move-in checklist. You’ll want to provide your tenants with a key while keeping your own. Remember to include any entry codes for shared front doors or gated areas, and if your tenants will have access to a separately locked garage or shed, include those keys as well.
Consider having extra keys made so your tenants have a spare. You can also leave an additional spare key with a trusted neighbor in case your tenant gets locked out or there is an emergency.
4. Secure Personal Paperwork
Tackle this about a month before your tenant’s move-in date. Ensure any personal financial paperwork or files are secure. Your guests probably aren’t interested in these items, but it’s wise not to leave bank statements or confidential documents lying around.
Some homeowners organize key financial paperwork and items like passports or social security cards in a locked fireproof safe. You might also consider storing the safe at a friend or family member’s home during your tenant’s stay.
5. Clear Off Horizontal Surfaces
Horizontal surfaces are at a premium in any home. It’s where we set everything down. Imagine walking into a space with nowhere to put your purse, briefcase, or keys. Clearing surfaces gives your guests room to settle in, and you’ll likely want to put away personal items anyway.
Walk through your home as if you’ve never been there before. Is there an entryway spot for keys, bags, or coats? In the living room, is there space on a coffee table for books or a cup of coffee? If you have a home office, clear desk space so someone can work comfortably. Make sure bedside tables are inviting, and in the kitchen, sort through any piles of paper and either recycle or file them.
Related: Checking References: The First Step to a Successful Stay
6. Make Room in the Closets
Making space in closets for your guests’ hanging clothes and shoes is a thoughtful touch. Think about staying in a home for a few months without being able to unpack your suitcase, then do the opposite.
An easy approach is to organize your clothes into categories: items you’re packing for your own travels (this closet space will be vacated), out-of-season clothes that can go into storage boxes under the bed or in an attic, and clothing that will stay in the closet but can be moved toward the back (consider hanging garment bags to protect them from dust).
Aim to provide at least 10 hangers per guest and enough space for them to hang a few long items like dresses or coats plus shorter items like shirts. Stores like The Container Store and IKEA offer creative storage solutions if you need inspiration.
7. Do a Thorough Clean-Up
A fresh, clean space is inviting and feels like home. If you’d rather not tackle this yourself, consider hiring a professional cleaning service to come about two days before your guests arrive. Someone who doesn’t live in your space may notice areas that need extra attention.
If you prefer to do a deep clean yourself, put on some gloves and get scrubbing. Providing a clean home that smells fresh is arguably the most important item on your tenant move-in checklist.
Related: How Clean is Your Home?
8. Supply the Bathroom with the Basics
Leaving simple toiletries like toilet paper, soap, shampoo, and conditioner within reach is a welcome gesture for new guests. While your tenant eventually stock up on their own, it’s thoughtful to have something waiting when your tenant arrives.
Consider providing a hair dryer and any other amenities you’d appreciate when checking into a welcoming hotel. You can purchase a new set of towels specifically for your guests or simply put out a clean set you already have. Be sure to set out extra hand towels and washcloths so guests know where to find them.
9. Put Fresh Linens on the Beds
In the bedrooms, put fresh linens on the beds and make them up so they look welcoming. Gather extra sheets, pillows, and blankets and leave them in an easy-to-find place so your tenants can adjust to their personalized sleeping preferences.
If your tenants are staying with children, set out any items you might have, such as a portable crib or small air mattress for little ones who might need to sleep near their parents for the first few nights.
10. Stock the Kitchen with Some Staples
One wonderful thing about staying in a home rather than a hotel is the ability to cook meals. You may already have a fairly stocked pantry, or you may have tried to use things up before leaving on your own travels.
Either way, consider providing some basics: coffee, tea, olive oil, vinegar, spices, dried pasta, and a few canned goods so your tenants don’t have to buy everything to make a meal. It’s even more thoughtful to leave some refreshments like bottles of water in the refrigerator and quick snacks for hungry travelers when they first arrive.
Your Tenant Checklist: Final Thoughts
Preparing your home with this tenant move-in checklist ensures your guests feel welcome from the moment they walk through the door. A little effort upfront creates a positive experience for everyone and sets the stage for a smooth, successful stay.
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