There are a lot of boxes that need to be checked when renting your Miami rental property. Doing this one thing will avoid issues when they are most likely to occur: when the landlord and tenants are parting ways.
Renting your Miami rental property could be overwhelming. From finding tenants, completing background checks, signing leases and dealing with maintenance, there are a lot of opportunities for things to go wrong.
There is one thing however that anyone can do pretty easily that prevent a lot of the pitfalls associated with renting property.
Be sure to do this when renting your Miami rental property
With smartphones being pretty accessible, why would anyone use a pen and paper to document the condition of the house? Put your phone’s camera to use and record the condition of the property. It will provide you with an undeniable record at the beginning of the rental period. Those pictures and video can be compared to the condition of the property at move-out.
Get to know the difference between wear-and-tear and damage
The reason you would want to have proof of the condition of the property at the beginning and end of a tenancy is so there is solid evidence and people do not have to rely on memory. This prevents misunderstandings and ensures security deposit are handled correctly when it comes to physical damages. That said, there are things a landlord can claim and there are things they cannot. Get to know what your states landlord tenant laws state so your effort in video documenting is used correctly.
Related: How to Screen Tenants & What to Look for in a Qualified Renter
Do it like a pro
Use your phones camera or download a free app that timestamps the video and pictures you take. In the video above, I used Timestamp Camera available for iPhone for free.
Start by going through the property without a camera and look for items of interest — things that could be of importance such as scuffs, cracks, and items that are broken.
With your camera, start at the front of the house and begin recording. Slowly move your camera across all areas, don’t be afraid to overlap. When you come to an item of interest snap a picture and move on.
Complete the exterior and the interior of the property. The more thorough the better but keep in mind videos take up considerable space. The video for this property was about 20 minutes long and I took about 30 pictures. I created notes for the pictures and created a report for the property owner to help explain the items that need to be done to get the property ready to rent.
A little time and preparation in the beginning of the lease will help at the end. If there is any question as to the condition of the property you will have solid documentation. That’s why taking video and pictures documentation is so important if your renting your Miami rental property. Happy renting! 
Pedro Cedeño, Lic. Real Estate Agent, Real Property Management Dade – Miami, FL | My team and I are here to make it easy and profitable to own rental property in Miami by focusing on the people and not just the buildings. We love to see the positive effect good rental practices have on people. Sharing the knowledge we’ve gained over the years with current and aspiring landlords is part of our mission.
We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the Nation. See Equal Housing Opportunity Statement for more information.
