Renters moving out is part of managing a rental. However, you can’t just replace the unit with another resident without preparation. As a landlord, you must work to keep the property clean and in an excellent state. Before advertising the vacancy, it is essential to do a thorough property inspection.
To ensure your rental space is comfortable for the next tenant, prioritize checking home systems, fixing tenant damage, and addressing potential problems.
Keeping your property well-maintained can limit tenant complaints and prevent setting a low standard for property upkeep. Renters may not treat your rental well if it’s handed over in poor condition.
Prospective tenants expect a well-presented unit during property viewings and you don’t want to disappoint them.. While your ads might entice them to schedule a tour, the actual condition of your rental will ultimately determine if they choose to apply.
It is also advisable to maintain a clean and clutter-free rental home so that you can showcase stunning property photos and impress viewers.
Here are some areas you can improve on to get your property ready for interested renters:
1. Improve Your Curb Appeal
Interiors matter, but overlooking your curb appeal can diminish property attractiveness and interest. Since your curb appeal is part of video tours, not paying attention to it can reduce interest, making it harder to fill vacancies. Therefore, you should always keep your rental space habitable, including the exterior.
2. Conduct a Property Walkthrough
Once your curb appeal is satisfactory, conduct a close inspection of your rental unit. Evaluate its readiness for new occupants by checking every detail as if you were the renter. Ask yourself whether the property is clean enough and well-maintained.
Assess each room and note any issues, such as broken windows, door knobs, or appliances. Focus on heating, ventilation, air conditioning, electricity, and plumbing. Address any signs of mold or pest infestation and test the functionality of appliances.
Put yourself in the tenant’s shoes and you’ll realize no one wants to move to a new unit with stained carpets, huge wall cracks, and peeling wallpaper. If you spot potential issues, address them right away to reduce property complaints and maintain good landlord-tenant relationships.
3. List Items that Require Maintenance
Preparing your rental for new residents can be time-consuming. You should keep a checklist of vital tasks to avoid forgetting them. Note areas that need extra cleanup and address minor issues promptly. For example, if there’s a broken door knob, you can quickly send an appliance for repairs or buy a new one.
In addition, you should finish these fixes and renovations before the tenants inspect your property. By completing all preparation tasks before showing your property, you reassure the renters that your house is rent-ready.
4. Review Your List of Repairs and Maintenance
Documenting tasks helps with monitoring. You’ll know when repairs are completed and when replacements are needed. Another good practice is grouping similar tasks to save time and money.
You can hire one specialist to handle related items, such as broken pipes and weak water pressure for toilets. This lets you save on repair fees and shorten the duration of repairs so you can welcome potential renters for an in-person viewing immediately.
5. Consider DIY Repairs
Some landlords can handle property upgrades or repairs themselves, saving on fees and labor costs. Ensure your skills are up to par to prevent damage or sub-par results.
If you aren’t confident with your DIY house repair skills, consider hiring contractors to avoid errors.
6. Replace Items Past Their Lifespan
It can be so tempting to keep sending items for repairs. However, constantly doing this can become costly in the long run. Each item has a lifespan, and wear and tear can quickly diminish value.
If the item has already reached its lifespan, it’s sometimes cheaper to replace the item rather than continually repair it.
7. Provide a Clean Rental Unit
Stained carpets and cobwebs can turn off prospective tenants. A clean rental property always appeals more to prospective tenants so proper cleaning should be a priority.
For a thorough cleaning, hire reliable professionals who use special equipment for hard-to-reach spots. Their exemplary skills ensure a spotless unit.
8. Install New Locks and Keys
The last tip may seem obvious but many landlords don’t take this into great consideration. It’s essential to ensure that old renters can no longer access the rental unit. If your last renter was evicted, you should prioritize changing locks.
You can also invest in electronic or smart locks for easier passcode changes with each new renter, especially for short-term rentals.
Bottom Line
By following these eight essential tips, you can ensure a smoother move-in and a high-quality property for your next tenants. However, the to-do list to get your property ready for new renters can be long and it’s not simple for landlords.
If you have little time to spare, engage the services of a trusted property manager. If you are seeking one, contact House in Order Property Management today to learn more about what we can offer!
