How to Set Up a Moving Assistance Service for Your Tenants

As a landlord, your goal is to make money. Rental income is the main way to do this, but there are some extra services you can offer to tenants to help boost your incoming funds. Whether moving in or out, your tenants likely feel stressed and excited. Around 25.9 million people moved across the US in 2024, and only 8.9% stayed within the same state.

The moving process is never easy, and by offering a moving assistance program to your tenants, you can take some of the burdens off the move, while generating extra income for yourself.

Understanding what a Moving Assistance Program is

A moving assistance program is designed to help those moving with resources, and in some states, provides financial relief to help pay for expenses associated with their relocation. The goal of these programs is to help make the moving process more affordable and manageable. 

You can help your tenant access these programs themselves, or you can put together your own program with a fee for your service on top to generate funds.

Organising the move and understanding parking and towing laws

A big part of the moving service is the transport used for relocation, and if you are the one organising this for your tenants as part of the overall moving service, you need to be aware of towing laws. For example, On Tennessee has the Modernization of Towing, Immobilization, and Oversight Normalization (MOTION) Act. This is a law that protects drivers towing trailers from excessive towing or storage fees.

By using a trailer that is clearly identified as a commercial vehicle (often done using a USDOT number or a commercial license plate), only a licensed parking attendant can install a boot if the trailer is left somewhere it shouldn’t be. All commercial parking lots must post clear towing and booting notices, and booted vehicles that have not been towed must be released for no more than $100.

Why is this important to know? You will officially be the “owner” of the vehicle while your tenants use it to move. You are responsible, even though they may be the ones accidentally parking somewhere they shouldn’t be. As a result, it’s good to understand the rules so you are not subjected to excessive or even illegal fines.

Other considerations when planning relocation assistance

Your assistance service should cover various aspects of the moving process, including physical moving expenses and even temporary housing and location services (if required). It is always a good idea to understand a detailed assessment of the move’s complexity, family requirements, and any timing considerations.

Most relocation assistance packages include essential moving tasks such as:

• Professional moving services
• Transportation of household goods
• Temporary housing arrangements (if required – rare)
• Storage facilities (if needed)
• Travel expenses

You can determine what to include in your relocation assistance service or white-label an existing service to save time. The key is clear communication and proper management. Tenants need to understand their service thoroughly and keep detailed records of their expenses. Landlords should establish specific timeframes for relocation and require documentation for any reimbursement claims.

The benefits of Moving Assistance Programs when selling your home

It is also important to consider the benefits of using a moving assistance program as a landlord, should you decide to sell your investment. These are often known as Realtor Rebate programs, offered by the agents selling your home. They can include: 

• Flexibility throughout your own moving process, as relocation programs offer financial savings to increase freedom in making decisions.
• They can find you a better moving company, negotiate the price of a new home, make repairs, and access funds throughout the moving process (depending on the specifics and offerings of the program.
• Selling a home includes closing costs, moving fees, and other expenses that the financial assistance and reimbursements of a Realtor Rebate program can help with.
• Negotiating power is important in a real estate transaction, and Realtor Rebate programs can offer a cash rebate and the ability to negotiate with other real estate agents, reduce purchase prices, or lower fees associated with the move.

Is the effort worth the time?

Whether you opt to set up your own moving assistance service for tenants, white-label an existing one, or simply point out some services your tenants can use to be a great landlord, the effort needs to match the return.

Yes, it will be extra work, but it can raise more income from your rental property. It will also offer you an edge over the competition when your prospective tenants notice you are offering services to help them with their move. Most landlords won’t offer this, so it’s a great way to stand out in front of the competition, which is a highly competitive market can be invaluable.

Run your rentals like a business

Make no mistake about it, being a landlord is like owning a business. You should look to improve the income of that business wherever possible, and the ideas in this article are just one way to do that. RentRedi is another way to make the process of being a landlord transparent, straightforward, and ultimately, more profitable. Let us help you ensure your income is steady and your books are organized today.