Both urbanrealtor and SDR have just given great advice for both landlords and tenants that, if followed, will eliminate most disputes that occur upon moveout.
They both stress the importance of full documentation of the condition of the premises at the outset, and who is responsible for what conditions at the move-out. But the atmosphere at the beginning of rentals works against detailed documentation. There is a sort of “honeymoon” at the beginning since the landlord has found a paying tenant and the tenant has picked these premises over alternatives. Each side likes the other and both are optimistic that everything will just work out fine in the future. That is exactly when each side needs to remind themselves that this a business relationship, and the paper trail they establish now governs everything in their future.
