Renting out property is undoubtedly a great way to make money for homeowners. While the tenancy duration may differ, your responsibility as a landlord will likely be the same. Meaning, you have to ensure the necessary maintenance for the arrival of new tenants. If it’s your first time renting out your house, not to worry. We have you covered with this house rental preparation checklist.
Initiate needed repairs or cleaning.
If your property isn’t newly built, an inspection for repairs is your first stop. Potential problem areas in the house include damaged roof, faulty plumbing, broken tub, blocked sink, floor, rough kitchen countertop, broken taps or shower, and electrical connection. You should also inspect the HVAC system of your house, whether it’s winter season or not. Unless you happen to be an HVAC specialist, you might want to avoid repairing your HVAC system on your own. Employing the service of HVAC technicians will help avoid a shabby job and also ensure the safety of your tenants.
Also, note that the bathroom is an area that could quickly be a turnoff to tenants. If there are signs of significant wear that a cleaning service can’t restore to near-perfection, you should consider a remodel or a complete bathroom renovation. If your property happens to be located in the Pittsburgh area, many contractors handle bathroom and shower remodeling in Pittsburgh. If there are no needed repairs, you can employ a proper cleaning service to tidy up the place before a new tenant arrives.
Paint the walls.
Splashing your property with new paint doesn’t only improve the aesthetics but also increases the interest of tenants. Many property owners have raised the value of their property with a good paint job. So, painting the walls is always a good idea for both preparing for rent and sale. To save money, you don’t have to paint the entire building. You can do an amazing job with only the living room, bedroom, or other areas that need some finishing touches. If you’re confused about the color of paint to use, you can consider the opinion of an interior designer.
Don’t forget pest control.
The presence of pests in your property not only makes new tenants unhappy but could also make it difficult to rent out your place. Some tenants may even go as far as leaving a bad review. So, it’s a good idea to bring in a pest control service to check the place. It’ll give both you and the tenant peace of mind
Secure the property.
As a landlord, it’s your responsibility to ensure your property is secured. Therefore, call a technician to check the security system of the property. If you don’t have any advanced system, the doors, window units, and garage entrance need to be checked. To be on the safer side, it might not be a bad idea to change the locks.
You can delay this move until you get a tenant that’s ready to take the place. The simple reason is that many tenants like to change the locks when they move in to make them feel safe. So, you can discuss the change with the new tenant instead of changing it only for the tenant to initiate a separate lock replacement.
Prepare for advertising.
Whether you’re employing the services of agents/property managers or posting your property online by yourself, you should research the current affordable price of renting your property. Also, take pictures once your property is ready. This move is for two reasons: to show tenants before physical inspection and to serve as proof of its condition before a tenant moves in. In the case of deducting all or part of the security deposit paid by the tenant, pictures will help prove that damages were done after a tenant moved in.
