A new tenant is moving in. What do you prepare?
Deposit, inventory, meter readings and keys.
Before the keys change hands, have five things done: the tenancy agreement signed, the deposit and first month's rent received, an agreed inventory list, water and electricity meter readings taken, and photographs of the unit's condition. Those five decide what happens to the deposit later.
Why do meter readings matter so much?
Without a reading on move-in day, you cannot prove what the tenant used. Utility disputes almost always trace back to a missing opening reading. Photograph the meter rather than only writing the number down.
The list before you hand over keys
- Tenancy agreement signed by both sides, and stamping arranged.
- Deposit and first month's rent received. Do not hand over keys on a promise.
- Inventory written: furniture, appliances, keys, access cards, the count of each.
- Water and electricity readings, with photographs.
- Photographs of every room, including damage that is already there.
- Explain how to pay and which date rent falls due each month.
What deposit is normal in Malaysia?
The market custom is two months' rent as the tenancy deposit, half a month for utilities, and the first month's rent paid up front. That is custom rather than law, and you are free to set something else as long as it is written into the agreement.
What UrusPro does for you
- Register the tenant and the monthly rent schedule builds itself.
- The deposit is recorded on the tenancy, so it does not live in your memory.
- Meter readings are held on the unit and produce the utility bills.
One expensive mistake
Handing over keys before the deposit clears because the tenant seemed reliable. If they do not pay, you start with no protection and somebody already living in the unit.