A tenant packing up and not renewing a lease is a natural phenomenon. Instead of letting the frustration engulf you, it’s best to meet the situation head-on. Instead, focus your time towards preparing your property for the next batch of renters. Here are tips to make your property rent-ready:
1. Market right away
Since it may take time to find quality renters that meet your standards, start your advertising campaign early. Post on property listings, spread the word in your community and tap into your network. You should make sure to post enticing photos and even a video tour of your rental to find potential tenants quickly.
You can even talk to your tenant about showing the property to interested prospects before the actual day of moving out. This lessens the gap between tenants and ensures your maintenance expenses will be kept at minimum levels.
2. Evaluate items for repair or replacement
Check out if there’s any furniture that needs fixing. Some furniture and appliances may experience wear and tear. Life expectancy of objects around the property may also reach their limit. In this case, it’s time to purchase a new one.
Keeping your furnishing and appliances up-to-date and properly maintained will be noted by tenant prospects. By inspecting everything before any showings, you’ll prevent further damage down the road. Think in terms of investment rather than costs. Imagine showing a property with a rough looking carpet that would lead to prospects deciding not to rent.
3. Prepare a checklist for inspection
Between scheduling repairs and handling security deposit refunds, you might overlook major items. This can compromise the security of the rental unit. The best thing to do is to have a checklist ready.
Being organized allows you to inspect each room. You’ll be able to properly evaluate which areas of the property need more attention. You can quickly surmise whether to repaint the property, replace lighting or fix the drainage systems.
4. Arrange for cleanup maintenance
Some areas of the home are hard to reach for deep cleaning. This is where you can engage the services of professional cleaners. Doing so will give your rental unit a refreshing and bright glow.
If the last tenant has left the property in a mess, you can add the cost of the cleaning service as deductions from the security deposit. You’d need to check the level of cleanliness first. If the space is reasonably clean, you can also conduct the cleaning yourself to save on costs.
5. Change locks or passcodes
As a safety precaution, part of a landlord’s duty is to rekey locks. You’re never quite sure if the last tenant obtained several copies of the old keys. Since providing security to your renters is one of your duties, this is an essential task in preparing your property.
If your lock system is electronic, this is easier to accomplish. However, it’s also easily forgotten, so make sure this is part of your checklist. You want to assure your new tenant that you prioritize their security. For maximum security, you can even purchase a deadbolt and further comfort new tenants.
6. Consider improving curb appeal
A tenant moving out results in your chance to improve the curb appeal of your property. Focus on keeping the lawn neat, replacing withered plants and attending to the landscaping. Update the lighting and evaluate the need to repaint exteriors. The prettier the outside front looks, the more you attract prospects.
Double check the tree branches while improving your curb appeal. If you notice wires crossing, then it’s best to cut the branches to avoid potential accidents. If a portion of the tree foliage covers the roof then it’s best to look into that to avoid blocking drainages for possible water damage.
7. Check for mold presence
Typically, mold can be found in moist-rich environments, such as basements and laundry rooms. Spare some time to inspect the washer and bathrooms. You want to promote a habitable home and nothing announces a clean space more than a mold-free property.
If there’s any sign of mold, start a remediation process right away. Preventing this health hazard will eliminate your liability as a landlord. Upon reviewing, if a tenant’s behavior caused the mold to develop, you can opt to charge the mold removal expenses as deductions from the security deposit.
8. Eliminate pest infestation
As one of the top tenant complaints, pest infestations must be dealt with immediately and doing so prior to a tenant moving is wise. You don’t want to greet new renters with bed bugs, rodents or a growing nest of termites. At the start, you want tenants to feel that they’ve made the right choice in moving to your property.
When you minimize potential friction between you and your tenant, you help increase your tenant retention. As much as possible, you seek renters who stay for the long-term. By making sure that pest control strategies are in place, such as regular inspections and exterminations, you’re on your way to tenant satisfaction.
Benefits of a Rental-Ready Property
Even if specific actions must be performed to make sure that your property is ready to rent, the direct results are positive. You can defend the rental price you’ve set, considering the value you’re providing. All the furnishing and appliances can be used right away without worries. The rental unit is refreshingly clean, mold-free and pest-free.
It will also require minimum effort to advertise since prospects can see the level of maintenance conducted in the home. When interest is high, you’ll naturally have multiple options and can select the best tenants for your rental property.
Another benefit is the shorter period it will take to rent out. This prevents you from shelling too much maintenance expenses for months and months. Thus, investing in sprucing up your property pays off.