WHAT DOES “AS-IS” MEAN?
At Helene’s Property Place, taking a unit “as-is” means that after signing a lease, the tenant receives the unit as the previous tenants left it. It’s basically as if someone just handed you their keys after moving out. HPP does not go into the unit between tenants for any reason, whether it’s to inspect for damages, clean the unit, or haul anything out. These are services we normally perform between tenants, but not when the unit is taken as-is.
WHY WOULD I RENT AS-IS?
When folks take a unit as-is, it's usually for one of these reasons:
-More flexibility when moving in
-Keeping the previous tenant’s items
If you absolutely must move in during a holiday or weekend when Helene’s Property Place is normally closed, taking a unit as-is might seem like the best option as it offers more flexibility. If you know the prior tenant, you can pick up the keys directly from them, and sometimes you can arrange to begin moving in stuff early before you’re officially handed keys.
A very common reason someone might consider taking a unit as-is is to keep the previous tenant’s stuff. Sometimes folks will leave appliances, furnishings, or décor behind for the next tenants. If you don’t take a unit as-is, these items would be hauled out by HPP staff. But if you choose to rent as-is, you inherit whatever was left in the unit.
But…
UNDERSTAND THE RISKS
…when you inherit everything in the unit, it isn’t limited to that new air conditioner or that sick bottle collection. It also means you are responsible for any damages, hauling, and cleaning when you move out, even if it was filthy or heavily damaged before you moved in. Because we don’t go in to perform an inspection, when you move out we will compare the current state of the unit to the condition report the original tenants signed when they moved in, which you will also sign.
Some risky situations that could occur are:
- If floors have been damaged beyond normal wear and tear at some point since the last time we turned the unit, we may have to replace them and the charges will be billed to you.
-If the walls are in bad shape or if the unit smells strongly of pet urine, trash, or smoke, there may be repairs, painting, and even ozone treatment needed. Even if you didn’t cause it or it was there before you took the unit, if it happened since our last turnover it is your responsibility…unless the next folks take the unit as-is from YOU.
-If a unit hasn’t been deep-cleaned in some time, it can take our team hours to fully clean the unit when you move out, resulting in funds being withheld from you deposit or even cause you to owe money.
We also will not go in and change the locks, meaning there may be past tenants, roommates, or friends with working keys to your new home. If you need to change the locks, you will need to keep the old lock hardware and give us copies of your new keys.
The problem with signing as-is is sometimes a unit rotates amongst tenants for years before someone signs a lease and chooses not to take it as-is. When this happens, the folks moving out are often stuck with years of damages and cleaning that hasn’t been done professionally in a long time, and years of other people’s furniture, food, and other unclaimed items have to be removed. It can be very expensive and time-consuming, and for this reason we do NOT recommend taking a unit as-is.
WHAT WE DO RECOMMEND
Try not to schedule moving vans and movers for holidays and weekends. If the departing tenant really wants to leave items for you, we recommend storing them somewhere else while we turn the unit. This way, all major damages can be repaired if needed, the unit will be cleaned, and we will record damages and give you an opportunity to record any damage and cleaning that we may have missed. Your new home will be a clean slate, and you won’t be held responsible for damages caused before you arrived.
*Banner image by Silvie Tittel
-SW