Landlords often need help finding tenants for their rental properties. And this is mainly due to properties not being ready to rent. Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to fix that.
How to Make Your Home Ready to Rent
If you are still looking for tenants for your rental, the first thing you should do is assess the state of your property. It may have seen better days. Many tenants look for rent-ready homes because they want to avoid shoulder the burden of cleaning, repairs, and upgrades. That job usually falls to you, the landlord.
Whether you are still looking for tenants or have one scheduled to move in, prepare a house for rental by following these steps.
1. Find Out Your Rental Rules
If a homeowners association regulates your home, you first need to check out your rental rules. Many associations have restrictions that limit the types of rentals you can have, while others outlaw it completely. You want to avoid rushing into a rental and finding out later on that it isn’t allowed in your community, and that may leave you with a hefty fine to pay.
2. Do a Thorough Cleaning
Whether you’re a first-time landlord or are in between tenants, give your property a good cleaning. This is one of the first steps you should take when you prepare for rental. Make sure to get every nook and cranny. And remember to have your carpets cleaned, too.
For thorough cleaning, focus on the property’s interiors and exteriors. For interiors, sweep, dust, wipe, and mop all applicable surfaces. If your rental comes with furniture and appliances, have them cleaned. It is a good idea to hire a pressure washer for exterior cleaning. That will give your rental a beautiful glow that will surely wow tenants.
3. Add or Update Lights
Lights can make or break a rental property. When your unit has good lighting, it can give off an inviting and cozy vibe. But, with bad lighting, it does the complete opposite. It can even turn potential tenants off to your rental. After all, nobody wants to live in the dark.
Fortunately, most of the time, lighting is something you can quickly fix. Change out any flickering or dead bulbs, and go for LED lights to save money on energy bills. Make sure all the light switches are working, too. For your safety, hire an electrician to do this for you.
Lighting isn’t only about the actual light fixtures in the home. Tenants love natural light, so you should clean your windows to let that light in. If you have blurry windows, consider replacing the glass.
4. Apply a New Coat of Paint
A new coat of paint can do wonders for a rental property. Color tends to look worn after quite some time, so your unit will likely need a fresh coat if it has been a while. Don’t just keep painting over the old coat, though. Doing that will only add another layer, making the room feel smaller. It also usually gives a clunky finish.
To get your property rental ready, scrape off loose paint and fill all the holes. Then, apply a primer all over the old coat to prep it for the new color. Make sure you use the same base for the paint (e.g., oil-based paint over oil-based paint). But, if the wall is in bad condition, removing the old paint may be best and starting from scratch.
5. Make Repairs and Maintenance
If you can’t live in a house in dire need of repairs, how can you expect tenants to live there? To make your property ready to rent, perform some much-needed maintenance and repairs. Fix leaky roofs, replace window screens, and install a new shower head — whatever needs your attention.
Of course, there is a good chance you can’t do all of this on your own. As such, feel free to hire professional technicians and maintenance specialists to do the job. It’s better to seek help than do a lousy job yourself.
6. Test All Alarms
Ensuring the safety of your tenants is paramount as a landlord. Make sure your property is renter ready by testing all smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. If you have a security system in place, give it a check as well. The last thing you want is to put your tenant in harm’s way because you failed to inspect your safety and security features.
7. Make Some Upgrades
This step is optional, but, if you want to rent your house out, consider making some upgrades. Nowadays, tenants are looking for more than just a place to sleep. They want nice features and amenities.
Of course, some things are out of your control. For instance, if a tenant is looking for an apartment with east-facing windows and yours doesn’t face east, then you can’t really do much to change their mind.
Focus on the things that you can control. Perhaps renovate the kitchen or put in a new stove. An in-unit washer and dryer combo is also an attractive feature. If you have the space, maybe you can install a garden or offer free parking. You’d be surprised at the number of applicants you get by simply making a few upgrades.
8. Let Your Mortgage and Insurance Providers Know
If this is your first time renting out a place, you should notify your mortgage provider. Let them know that you won’t be living in the house anymore and that you plan to rent it out. They might make changes to your plan, and there may be new requirements you must meet.
As for insurance, it is always good to have landlord insurance. But, as a new landlord, your insurance on the house might still be homeowners insurance. Homeowners insurance doesn’t really work when you lease out your home. Landlord insurance, on the other hand, offers coverage for tenant-related damages in addition to the usual risks.
9. Hire a Good Property Manager
Lastly, to get your property ready to rent, hire a good property manager or management company. Having a rental property is a good way to make extra money, but it’s not an easy job. If you have no time, no experience, or simply don’t want the added work, a property manager will solve all your woes.
A property manager can advertise your property, screen tenants, conduct walkthroughs and inspections, and take care of legal documents. A manager will also be the one to manage repairs and maintenance, collect rent, and field tenant concerns. Some even handle evictions for you should the need ever arise.
To Better and More Tenants
If you want to make sure your home is ready to rent, performing the above actions is necessary. Not only will these make your property more attractive, but they will also land you good-quality tenants. And while you can do these yourself, a property management company will prove helpful.
In need of a reliable property management company? Start looking for the best one in your area using Florida Property Management’s online directory!
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