For many property managers, the only thing they do to a rental unit before renting it to a new tenant, is give it a quick walk-through. This is not a very effective way of making sure the property is truly ready to be rented out. In fact, it could be a recipe for disaster. Here are five simple things you can do to make sure your property is truly ready.
The last thing you want your new tenant to have to deal with is the previous tenant unlocking the door and walking into their home. You should either replace or rekey all outside locks and change the combinations on things like garage door openers, security gates, alarms, and mailboxes.
Have the property inspected by a professional. He should be looking at the plumbing, the electrical system, furnace, air conditioning, hot water heater, windows, appliances, rugs, fixtures, carpets, and just about every square inch of the property for anything that needs to be repaired or may soon need to be repaired or replaced.
One of the reasons most major repairs never get taken care of is because they are all but impossible to do when the property is occupied. This is a good time to take care of major remodels, appliance upgrades, additions, new roofs, chimney and fireplace cleaning, and many other major projects. Not only is this good for your property, it can help increase its rental value.
When you have the inside of the property all fixed up, it’s time to take a look at the outside. Clean up any trash and debris left behind by the previous tenant. Keep the lawns mode, bushes and shrubs trimmed, and prune the trees. If the property needs a new coat of paint, this is the time to take care of it. Curb appeal plays a vital role in the type of renter your property attracts and can also help increase its rental value.
No matter how good your previous tenants were at keeping their unit clean, they don’t clean them well enough to let a new tenant move in. This is where hiring a professional cleaning service will pay off. No one wants to rent a dirty home, it just isn’t appealing. Professional cleaners find every dirty nook and cranny, steam clean the carpets, clean the fridge and oven, and leave the bathrooms spotlessly clean and sanitized.
As a property manager or landlord, it is your job to ensure your property is in tip-top condition before you turn it over to a new tenant. By taking the time and investing in maintaining and upgrading your property on a regular basis, you will attract a better class of tenant, one that is willing to pay more for a higher quality rental home. Spend a little now to make a lot more later. Sounds like a good idea, doesn’t it.
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