Is Your Property “Rent Ready”?

Are you a property owner that is looking to rent out your property or currently rent out your property? There are many things you will want to do to make sure your home is “rent ready”. The better maintained and looking that your property is, the more tenants it will attract. This in turn will ensure that your property will rent out faster than others available. We have provided a list of 11 steps you will want to take in order to make sure your property is “rent ready”.  Have you taken care of these prior to renting out your property?

1.    Re-key the locks. You never know who may have a set of old keys to your property.  Another good idea is to reset the alarm for your house. Re-keying and recoding locks makes old keys unusable. If you live in a condo or townhome make sure you have all HOA-issued gate remotes and codes, plus keys to any community pools and fitness centers.

2.    Professionally clean the carpets. Un-cleaned carpets are a common mistake we see with property owners. Not having the carpets cleaned prior to a tenant moving in will turn off many tenants.  Professional “full-steam and shampoo” carpet cleaning works best – you don’t want any residue left because it can attract dirt.

3.    Improve the yard. A well taken care lawn will appeal to more people. The yard is one of the first things a tenant will see, and the better looking it is, the more inclined they will be to like the property. Some examples to improve your yard include: cutting the grass, trim the bushes, prune the trees, pull the weeds, fix broken sprinkler heads, replace dead or dying shrubbery, and add some new flowering plants.

4.    Change the air filters. Changing the air filters is a great way to maintain your system. Cleaning the vents is also a good idea. Disposable air filters don’t require monthly cleaning (like reusable ones) and make for one less maintenance item your tenant needs to remember.

5.    Get your property professionally cleaned. Renters expect their rental property to be clean for move-in, so have the property professionally cleaned. Investing some money into a cleaning service and having a clean property will not only attract more renters, but is a great way to maintain the look your home.

6.    Let in the light. Replace any broken light bulbs; consider putting in energy-efficient bulbs, which reduce energy costs and don’t need to be replaced as often. Replacing light bulbs with energy efficient ones will be something tenants will appreciate as it will lower their monthly costs.
7.    Inspect ceiling fans. If you property has ceiling fans, make sure they have been cleaned and work properly.
8.    Inspect and clean windows and sliding glass doors. Windows and (especially) sliding glass doors can easily build up dirt. A good cleaning will not only let in more light, but may help them work better.

9.    Clean, repair or replace screens. Torn screens can allow pests into your rental property (besides being a security and visual problem). So repairing or replacing screens may save you money (less visits from your pest-control company) and give you peace of mind.

10.    Spray for pests. It’s better to have the property sprayed on a regular schedule than to wait until there’s a pest problem. You’ll definitely want to hire a professional pest control company to give your property a full treatment for all of the common bugs in your area.

11.    Paint, repair and fix. Fix any holes in the walls before applying a fresh new coat of paint. Repair or replace any carpet that shows signs of damage (or doesn’t come clean after a professional carpet cleaning). Fix or replace any damaged tiles.

By taking care of the above items it will not only provide a great maintenance plan for your property for years of renting, but it will allow you to attract more renters to your property. These items are not high costs items, but will provide your property the basic needs to make sure your property is “rent ready” for the next tenant.

Courtesy Rental Choice