Renting property is about more than finding someone to move in and collecting money. You need to perform regular maintenance on the home to ensure it retains value. It can help to have a checklist of tasks that you perform after each tenant moves out and before your property gets listed.
Follow these tips to prepare your rental property.
Smoke Detectors Keep You Safe When Renting Property
Three out of five home fire deaths are the direct result of smoke detectors not working. You can cut the risk of death in half for your tenants by ensuring that the smoke detectors are in proper working order. Perform a test of the smoke detectors before each tenant moves in.
Check that each detector is receiving power. Then you can use an aerosol spray to confirm that the smoke sensor is working. Turn off the alarm after it goes off. Replace the batteries or entire smoke detector if necessary.
Renting Property Requires Carpet Cleaning
You should have the carpets clean between each tenant when renting property. This will clean the dirt and stains and extend the life of the carpet. If you only own one property and don’t change tenants often, then renting a carpet cleaning machine can be a smart choice. However, if you need to regularly clean carpet, it’s smarter to purchase your own machine.
With a quality machine, you can achieve professional-quality results. Look for a newer machine that is both portable and durable. Then you can economically clean the carpet on a schedule convenient for you.
Clean Everything When Renting Property
Your next step will be too deep clean the rest of the home. This includes the kitchen, bathrooms, living areas, bedrooms, and laundry room. Use a critical eye to look both high and low. This includes cleaning the cobwebs out of corners, the dust off of ceiling fans, and the floors under the large appliances. You should also replace the air filters.
Evaluate the Appliances
Save yourself time and frustration when renting property by checking the large appliances. Run each one to confirm it’s in working order. If an appliance needs maintenance, repair, or replacement, do this before you list the property for rent. You can use brand new appliances as a selling point for your property.
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Fridge
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Stove
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Garbage disposal
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Washer
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Dryer
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Garage door and opener
Don’t forget to check the lights and replace any dead bulbs before renting the property. These small touches are what make your home feel warm and welcoming to new tenants.
Re-Key the Locks Before Renting Property
You must change the locks after each tenant. You should also change the codes for the garage door and security system. You can affordably re-key your locks yourself.
For a better solution long term, invest in a keyless entry system. Then you can quickly change the code without doing any hardware changes. These locks tend to be more secure and can be changed faster than a traditional lock and key system.
Paint Before Renting Property
Paint the interior of the home. Choose a neutral color that’s widely appealing. This will give the property a clean and fresh feel. Be sure to fill any holes in the walls left from previous tenants before you paint.
Refresh the Landscaping
Curb appeal is just as important when renting a property as it is with home sales. Freshen up the landscaping by trimming the trees, cutting the grass, and removing the weeds. Rake up dead leaves and spread some fresh mulch in the flowerbeds.
Successfully Renting Property Requires Preparation
While these tasks may not be difficult, they can be time-consuming. You can eliminate this demand on your time and reduce your efforts by hiring a property manager. They will handle the preparation for renting property.
Contact our team today and learn about our comprehensive suite of property management services.
