Are you a landlord thinking about setting up your property for rent? Need to know what to consider before taking such an important step? Then you are at the right place. Preparing your property for rent seems to be a complicated process, however, we assure you that it’s not as hard as it seems.
The first impression matters the most when you are renting out or selling your property. It can be unanimously agreed that a few prominent changes can change the entire curb appeal of a property.
A presentable house will not only improve the charm of your castle but will also get you higher rents from satisfied tenants. A well-prepared property will make the entire process of renting much easier.
Without further ado, we present you with a simplified checklist illustrated by Agency21 International– to make the process of property renting easier and smoother!
Preparing your property for rent
The landlord should have the responsibility to prepare a property to sell, and it is the responsibility of the tenant to check the place entirely for inspection. Maintenance of your property is highly important if you are planning to keep long-term tenants.
One of the reasons tenants leave their spaces is because of low-quality amenities within a property. A property will only stand out only if it is well taken care of. Who would want to live in a dilapidated house anyway?
How to prepare your property for rent?
Agency21 International has prepared a checklist for property renting.
1. Analyze your property
Whether you are renting out your house for the first time, or if a new tenant is moving in, you must inspect your property for any sort of damage or negligence.
The key to figuring out problems with your property is viewing the house like it’s your potential home. Small maintenance problems have the potential to make or break your deal. For example, when people are walking down the grocery aisle, they pick out what they find most useful and appealing. You don’t want people to run away from your property now, do you?
Needless to say, no one is ever willing to purchase defective products. The same is the case for potential tenants– when they are looking for a property, they will analyze it from every angle! Make sure to make respective repairs.
2. Make the necessary repairs/replacements
When you are planning to rent out your house, try to focus on repairs and necessary replacements. Investing in your property will only prove to be profitable for you in the long run as customers always pay higher for high quality.
Investing in home appliances is mandatory as they will boost your home’s value to a large extent. Sometimes we adapt to certain broken appliances daily, forgetting that there is a problem with them.
This also applies to any small defect that you have grown used to living with e.g. leaking sinks and washers, broken tiles, cracked paints, broken surfaces, etc.
Potential tenants are extremely finicky when it comes to selecting a house. One does not want to move places regularly- they usually move into a house for long-term use.
3. Clean up the place!
A clean outlook of a house brings a good impression on potential tenants. It gives off the idea that the previous owners have left the house clean and well–hygienic. No matter how well-maintained and beautiful your property is, people would prioritize cleanliness. After all, no one wants to move into a dirty house.
If it’s not your first time renting out your property- this will be a difficult task for you. Unless you have had clean-freaks as your previous tenants, there is a dire need to look out for defects and, well, dirt/garbage.
We would recommend you do the essential washing and wiping of walls, floors, carpets, fixtures, washrooms, etc. We cannot expect everyone to be just as clean and hygienic as we would imagine. On the other hand, if your property has been vacant for a long while, it is imperative that you still maintain it.
4. Curb appeal matters
As important as it is to focus on the interior of the house, the outsides will always be the first impression potential tenants will notice.
Although comfort and convenience are the two traits tenants request, it goes without saying that the majority of people want their homes to look presentable. Cut the overgrown grass and bushes, and plant some seasonal flowers to present a beautiful and homely outlook.
Keep in mind that curb appeal does not only include your lawn and front yard, but it also includes your house exterior. Repaint your walls, and fix those cracked windows and doors. Do not let the onlookers think that the house is old or neglected.
5. Prioritize your tenants’ needs
You could give your property an entire makeover to beautify it, however, one must also consider the requirements of tenants. It might surprise you that doing just a little will go a long way. It is not necessary to do lavish furnishing or costly investments to rent out your property.
Paint the house with neutral or light colors so there is room for personalization. If you opt for trendy and textured walls, it might attract only a limited audience. Moreover, opt for simplicity when it comes to furnishing your house as well; people need decluttered and spacious areas to implement their vision for their new home.
6. Get rid of those pests
When you go for a vacation and enter a guest house/hotel room, the last thing you would want for your welcome would be a bunch of insects hanging around here and there.
It is without a doubt that you will enter a state of panic and call the room service immediately. However, in this case, visitors will simply leave, thinking of the horror they would have to face in the future.
Pests cause many inconveniences at home, especially during the spring and summer. For the comfort of potential tenants, organize a proper pest inspection and treat the areas as soon as you can.
You can either do the job yourself or hire professionals to do the job for you! Either way, pests are a major no-no for any human looking to reside in a house.
7. Fix the home appliances
Inefficient and dysfunctional home appliances cause a lot of unease for tenants. Landlords need to ensure that all home appliances are working properly and abide by safety regulations. Radiators, air conditioners, oven, electrical appliances e.g. lights, etc, should all be fixed and repaired if necessary.
The Bottom Line
The aforementioned checklist may seem time-consuming and expensive, however, with the higher given quality, you will lure a large audience to your property. This will undoubtedly give you a higher return as well. For a reduced cost, you can make changes yourself instead of hiring professionals.
Now that you know the main factors to prepare your property for rent, start working on the checklist from today! We assure you that the time and money invested in this process will only be profitable for you in the long run.
