Free Make Ready Checklist PDF Template

1. What is a Make Ready Checklist?

   A Make Ready Checklist is a comprehensive form used to document the condition and readiness of a rental property before a new tenant moves in. It covers various aspects of the property, including the entrance, living and dining room, kitchen, bedrooms, hallways, and bathrooms, detailing items that need to be inspected, repaired, or replaced. This checklist ensures that all areas are thoroughly reviewed and that the property is safe and welcoming for the new occupants.

2. Who should use a Make Ready Checklist?

   This checklist is essential for property managers, landlords, or maintenance teams responsible for preparing a rental unit for new tenants. It serves as a guide to ensure all necessary repairs and updates are completed prior to move-in. Additionally, tenants may also refer to this checklist to understand what inspections and preparations have been made for their new home.

3. What areas does the Make Ready Checklist cover?

   • Entrance (e.g., doors, locks, lights)
   • Living and Dining Room (e.g., carpets, walls, lighting)
   • Kitchen (e.g., appliances, sinks, cabinets)
   • Bedrooms (including details for multiple bedrooms)
   • Hallways (e.g., air handler, smoke alarm, lighting)
   • Bathrooms (e.g., plumbing, vent fan, lighting)

   This comprehensive coverage ensures every critical component of the property is ready and functional for the incoming residents.

4. How should one complete the Make Ready Checklist?

   The checklist should be filled out by walking through each area of the property and carefully inspecting each item listed. For every item, indicate whether it passes the inspection. If it does not, provide comments on what actions need to be taken, such as work orders or follow-up needed. This approach keeps the process organized and ensures no detail is overlooked.

5. Can modifications be made to the Make Ready Checklist?

   Yes, although the checklist provides a comprehensive overview of common items to inspect, you may encounter unique features or issues specific to a property. Feel free to add additional "Other" sections or specific items pertinent to the property's condition and needs to customize and maximize its usefulness.

6. Why is a Make Ready Checklist important?

   Using a Make Ready Checklist is crucial for maintaining property standards, ensuring tenant safety, and providing a pleasant living environment. It helps identify and rectify problems before they grow more serious and costly. Furthermore, it contributes to tenant satisfaction by demonstrating attention to detail and care in preparing their new home, improving the likelihood of long-term tenancy and care for the property.

Filling out a Make Ready Checklist is a crucial step in ensuring a rental unit is in perfect condition for new tenants. However, common errors can occur during this process. Here are six mistakes that people often make:

1. Not Checking Everything: It's easy to overlook certain items on the list, especially if they seem insignificant or are in working order at a glance. Every detail, no matter how small, should be inspected thoroughly.

2. Skipping Notations for Minor Issues: Sometimes, minor issues are ignored or not recorded, thinking they won't be a big deal. However, it's important to document every concern, as small problems can evolve into major ones.

3. Rushing Through the Inspection: Rushing can lead to oversights. It's vital to take the time needed to inspect each item carefully, ensuring nothing is missed.

4. Not Using the Comments Section Properly: The comments section is provided for a reason. Not utilizing it to explain the current state of items, necessary repairs, or parts needed can result in incomplete information for maintenance teams.

5. Forgetting to Change Locks and Keys Information: Ensuring the security of new tenants by changing locks and updating key information is crucial. Overlooking this can compromise tenant safety and property security.

6. Inadequate Follow-Up: Identifying issues without planning follow-up actions or repairs is ineffective. It's essential to outline the steps required to address each identified issue.

Avoiding these common mistakes can significantly improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the make-ready process, ensuring a smoother transition for new tenants and maintaining the property's value.

When managing properties, a Make Ready Checklist is crucial for ensuring that units are in optimal condition before new tenants move in. However, this checklist is just one of several essential documents and forms that property managers and landlords use to streamline operations, maintain legal compliance, and provide clear communication between all parties involved. Below are seven additional important documents often used in conjunction with the Make Ready Checklist.

• Rental Application Form: This collects information from prospective tenants, including employment history, rental history, and personal references, to assess their suitability.
• Lease Agreement: A legally binding document that outlines the terms and conditions of the rental agreement between the landlord and the tenant, including rent, deposit amount, and lease duration.
• Move-In/Move-Out Inspection Form: Used to document the condition of the property at both move-in and move-out. This form helps in determining any damages for which the tenant may be responsible.
• Property Inventory Checklist: A detailed list of all items within the property, along with their condition. This checklist is essential for furnished properties.
• Maintenance Request Form: Enables tenants to formally request repairs or maintenance for the property. This helps landlords track and prioritize maintenance issues.
• Emergency Contact Form: Lists emergency contact information for tenants, including preferred hospitals, family members, and any important medical information that may be critical during an emergency.
• Rent Receipt Template: Provides tenants with proof of payment. This document is crucial for both parties' records and can resolve any disputes regarding payments.

Integrating these documents with the Make Ready Checklist ensures a comprehensive approach to property management. Not only do they facilitate smoother transitions between tenants, but they also establish clear expectations, prevent conflicts, and keep important information well-organized. Adopting a complete set of forms can significantly enhance the efficiency and professionalism of property management activities.

• Inventory Checklist: Similar to the Make Ready Checklist in structure, an Inventory Checklist details items present in a property and their condition at move-in. Both serve as records to protect both the property manager and tenant by documenting the state of the property at a specific time.

• Move-Out Checklist: This document is essentially the counterpart to the Make Ready Checklist, itemizing what needs to be inspected and addressed when a tenant moves out. Both checklists focus on assessing the condition of the property, though the focus of the move-out checklist is on ensuring the property is left in good condition.

• Inspection Report: Inspection Reports are used by inspectors to document the condition of a property, similar to how a Make Ready Checklist is used. Both include detailed assessments of various property aspects, such as lighting, plumbing, and structural integrity, but an Inspection Report may be more formal and comprehensive.

• Property Condition Report: Often used at the beginning of a lease term, this report captures the overall condition of the property, similar to how a Make Ready Checklist details the specific state of apartment features. Both are critical for baseline comparisons over time.

• Maintenance Request Form: Like the Make Ready Checklist, a Maintenance Request Form identifies areas needing repair or attention. However, it's typically filled out by tenants or property users to report issues rather than by staff preparing a property for move-in.

• Building Security Checklist: This type of checklist focuses on the security features of a property, much like the Make Ready Checklist addresses locks, deadbolts, and security locks. Both aim to ensure safety and compliance with standards.

• Housekeeping Checklist: Used to ensure cleanliness and order, a Housekeeping Checklist shares similarities with the Make Ready Checklist by listing tasks to prepare a space for occupancy. The emphasis with housekeeping, however, is on cleanliness rather than functionality or repair.

• Preventive Maintenance Checklist: Focusing on regular maintenance to prevent issues, this checklist overlaps with the Make Ready Checklist in areas like checking HVAC systems, plumbing, and electrical systems to ensure they are in working order before tenant occupation.

• Safety Inspection Checklist: Much like the Make Ready Checklist, a Safety Inspection Checklist evaluates safety features like smoke alarms, fire extinguishers, and exits to ensure compliance with safety codes and regulations.

• Property Management Agreement: While not a checklist, this document outlines the responsibilities of property managers, including tasks associated with the Make Ready Checklist such as preparing the property for new tenants. Both are essential tools in property management.

When filling out the Make Ready Checklist form for a property, attention to detail and thoroughness are paramount. It’s essential not only to ensure that the property is prepared for new occupants but also to maintain a reliable record of the unit’s condition and any maintenance tasks completed or needed. Below are four things you should and shouldn't do to achieve these objectives effectively.

Things You Should Do:

1. Review the Entire Form Before Starting: Before you begin filling out the checklist, take a moment to review the entire form. This initial overview will help ensure you understand what information is required and allow you to gather any necessary documents or tools beforehand.
2. Be Thorough and Honest in Your Assessment: While inspecting each item on the checklist, be as thorough and honest as possible in your assessment. If a feature does not pass inspection, note it accurately, including detailed comments about what is wrong and what work orders or follow-ups are needed.
3. Use Detailed and Specific Comments: Whenever an item on the checklist requires attention, ensure your comments are detailed and specific. This makes it easier for maintenance staff to understand what needs to be done and for property managers to follow up on the work required.
4. Double-Check Your Entries: Once you have completed the checklist, go through each section again to ensure all fields are filled out and accurate. Double-checking your entries can prevent future misunderstandings or oversights in property maintenance and preparation.

Things You Shouldn't Do:

1. Rush Through the Inspection: Avoid hurrying through the inspection process. Rushing can lead to missed issues that could become bigger problems later on. Take your time to inspect each item carefully and record your findings accurately.
2. Leave Sections Blank: Do not leave any sections or items on the checklist blank. If an item is not applicable, note it as such. Blank sections can cause confusion and imply that the inspection was incomplete.
3. Ignore Minor Issues: It’s important not to overlook minor issues or write them off as insignificant. Even small problems can affect a tenant's comfort or lead to larger maintenance issues in the future. Note all findings, regardless of size.
4. Forget to Update the Checklist: If during the repair process, additional issues are found, or if conditions change, make sure to update the checklist accordingly. This ensures that the checklist remains an accurate record of the unit's condition and work performed.

When navigating the nuances of property management or preparing a rental property for new tenants, the "Make Ready Checklist" serves as an essential tool to ensure the unit is in an optimal condition before occupancy. However, there are several misconceptions about this document that can lead to misunderstandings or mishandling of property preparation. Here, four common misconceptions are clarified for better insight and utilization of the Make Ready Checklist.

• It's Only for Internal Use. Many believe the Make Ready Checklist is solely for maintenance teams or property management internal use. This belief underestimates the document's potential as a communication tool with tenants. Sharing the completed checklist can demonstrate transparency and commitment to maintaining high standards, building trust between property managers and tenants right from the start.
• It’s a One-Time Checklist. Another misconception is that this checklist is filled out once before a tenant moves in and then forgotten. In reality, the Make Ready Checklist should be revisited during routine inspections or when preparing for a new tenant. This ensures ongoing maintenance issues are identified and addressed promptly, keeping the property in top condition and reducing the risk of costly repairs down the line.
• All Sections Apply to Every Property. While the Make Ready Checklist provides a comprehensive overview of areas to inspect, not every section will apply to every property. For instance, a property without a patio or balcony would obviously skip those related checks. Tailoring the checklist to the specific features and amenities of each property ensures a more efficient and accurate preparation process.
• The Checklist Replaces the Need for a Professional Inspection. While the Make Ready Checklist is thorough, it’s designed to identify basic maintenance and preparation tasks rather than deep structural or system faults. It’s crucial to understand that this checklist doesn’t replace professional property inspections which are vital for uncovering more serious issues that could potentially pose risks to tenant safety or lead to significant financial loss.

By dispelling these misconceptions, property managers and landlords can better utilize the Make Ready Checklist as a dynamic tool in maintaining their properties and fostering positive relationships with their tenants. Taking the time to understand and correctly apply each aspect of the checklist ensures that both the property and its occupants are kept in good standing for the duration of their lease and beyond.

Filling out a Make Ready Checklist is crucial for ensuring a rental property is in top condition before a new tenant moves in. Here are the key takeaways to keep in mind while using this form:

• Complete Detail is Key: It's important to inspect each item listed on the form thoroughly. Ensure that all areas, including entrances, living spaces, kitchens, bedrooms, hallways, and bathrooms, are checked for functionality, cleanliness, and safety.
• Check for Safety and Security: Security features such as locks on doors, deadbolts, secondary locks, and window security locks must be inspected and noted if they require replacement or repair. This not only secures the property but also builds tenant trust.
• Assess All Electrical Components: Electrical aspects, including light fixtures, ceiling fans, and GFI outlets, should be verified for proper operation. Ensure that all switches and outlets are working correctly and safely.
• Inspect Plumbing Thoroughly: Look for leaks or issues with the sink, toilet, bathtub, and dishwasher. Test water pressure, and ensure hot and cold water lines are functioning. Any issues found should be noted for repair to prevent future damage.
• Examine Walls, Floors, and Ceilings: Assess the condition of walls, floors, and ceilings for any damage, stains, or repairs needed. Note the condition of paint, wallpaper, carpet, and tiles.
• Maintenance of Appliances and HVAC: Make sure that all appliances, including the stove, refrigerator, and dishwasher, are clean and in working order. The HVAC system should also be inspected to ensure it's functional, and filters should be checked and replaced if necessary.
• Final Walkthrough: Before signing off on the checklist, do a final walkthrough of the property to ensure that all repairs and maintenance tasks have been completed satisfactorily and the property is ready for the new tenant’s move-in.

Using the Make Ready Checklist effectively helps in identifying and addressing any issue in the rental unit, ensuring a smooth and welcoming move-in process for new tenants. It's a tool that not only aids in property maintenance but also in tenant satisfaction and retention.