Tenant turnover is just one more stress property managers have to deal with a far too frequent basis. While no manager wants this to be an issue, it is going to happen from time to time. What you do next can have a major impact on the quality of your next tenants and possibly how long they stay. Here are 3 easy things you can take care of before you rent the unit out again.
This is the perfect time to give the property a thorough maintenance inspection. Look over every inch of the house for any signs of damage such as holes in the walls, cracked or broken windows, and broken doors. Look for signs of water leaks, roof leaks, damaged flooring, and damaged fixtures. Test all electrical systems, inspect switches and outlets, and repeat this on the outside of the unit as well.
Look at curb appeal, is the driveway clean and in good shape or is it stained and cracked? How does the landscaping look? Finally, replace the batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and make sure they are in working condition.
While your previous tenants may have cleaned your rental unit on their way out, chances of them leaving it in ready to rent condition are probably pretty slim. Of all the areas most commonly missed, the windows and walls are at the top of the list. Certain wall paint colors tend to hide dirt and grime, windows that may not have been overly dirty tend to get overlooked. It doesn’t take long to clean these areas, but the benefits can pay off in a new tenant who will stay for years.
Have the carpets professionally cleaned, go through and clean all other floors, ceiling fans, blinds, and of course every inch of the bathroom and the kitchen. Spotless is the only way to go. You can do the work yourself or better yet hire a professional cleaning service (these guys don’t miss a thing).
While you are going through the kitchen is a good time to take a look at the appliances. Make sure the oven is spotless, replace the drip pans under the burners (electric stoves) and make sure everything works properly. One of the most frequently overlooked places to clean is the pots and pans drawer. Be sure this gets thoroughly cleaned.
The refrigerator is a breeding ground for mold, mildew, and bacteria. All shelves and drawers need to be removed so that every inch of the inside can be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. While you have them out, clean the racks and drawers. If it has an icemaker, replace the water filter and check for proper operation. Finally, put a thermometer in the fridge and freezer to check for proper operating temperatures. If it is not within the proper range, have it serviced or better yet go ahead and replace it.
It really doesn’t take much extra work or expenditure to add those little finishing touches to your rental unit. But, what you may find is that doing so allows you to look for better quality tenants to fill the vacancy.
The post 3 Easy Things You Need to Take Care of Before Listing a Rental Property appeared first on McIntire Management.