Tenants moving out are part of dealing with a property rental. The next step is for you to prepare your rental unit for property showings. To successfully market your vacated unit, cover all the bases that prospects will be checking.
Being prepared will help you reduce the stress of tenant turnovers. Below you’ll find recommendations to make your property rent-ready:
1. Immediately launch your property onto multi-listing sites
Time is crucial if you want to save on maintenance expenses. Advertise online and offline. Spread the news to your network that you have a vacant unit and schedule property showings with prospective renters.
Talk to your tenants if they know people in their circle looking for a new rental. You can post your rental to social media platforms and respond to inquiries.
Make sure to accentuate the unit's best features in your property images. Alongside photos, write an eye-catching property description to create an attractive listing and entice prospects.
2. Replace or repair items that no longer function
When you have a tenant, your inspections are limited to certain periods. However, when your property is vacant, you have extended time to assess everything. If there are items that need to be maintained and fixed by specialists, now’s the time to do it.
If some are no longer functional due to wear and tear, you can shop for a replacement.
- Send broken furnishing and appliances for repairs
- Note the lifespan of the appliances in your rental for replacement
- Check if light bulbs need replacement
- Inspect smoke detectors and fire alarms
- Repair broken doorknobs and cracked windows
- Assess if carpets, window blinds, and curtains need to be changed
3. Schedule a walkthrough and go over a checklist
When the tenant moves out, it’s time to check your documentation before that tenant moves in. Assess for property damages and compare the condition of your property before and after the rental period.
This is an objective way to create a list of estimated repairs. You need to do this for the refund of the security deposit to be done objectively.
When you're going through the property, consult the checklist to make sure everything is reviewed well. Keep repair receipts to show the tenant once you've performed the repairs.
4. Hire professional cleaners to tidy up the property
If the rental space is reasonably clean, you can perform the cleaning on your own. However, professional cleaners are more thorough and have the proper equipment to reach challenging parts of the house.
They also have effective cleaning supplies that will leave your rental smelling fresh. Additionally, if the unit has remained intolerably messy, you can charge the cleaning fee to the last tenant.
Sample checklist for cleaning areas:
- Bathroom: shower, sink, tub, toilet, mirror, floor, walls, storage cabinets
- Kitchen: counters, stove, microwave oven, refrigerator, storage spaces, floor, kitchen drawers, sink
- Other key areas: walls, ceilings, windows, garage space, basement, laundry area, closets, moldings
5. Rekey and install new locks for main doors
As part of your security measures, make sure that only the new tenants can access the rental. Changing the keys and installing new locks is a protocol that needs to be observed every turnover.
It’s important to note this in the checklist to prevent it from being overlooked. For convenience, you can also opt for electronic locks, so changing passwords will take little effort.
6. Conduct property upgrades
For house renovations and room remodeling, a vacant unit is a perfect time to perform improvements.
Calculate the cost of the home project. It’s difficult to do this work when tenants are staying in your rental, as it can be a disturbance for the renters.
Contractors will also perform the renovation quicker without running through a schedule with the tenant.
Sample areas for rental improvement:
- Repainting walls
- Landscaping
- Adding storage areas
- Expanding a room
- Breaking down walls
- Transforming walls into soundproof ones
- Fixing/ replacing the roof
7. Remove mold presence
An unwelcome sight for new tenants is growing mold. Ensure that remediation is performed to make the rental attractive to prospects. Signs of mold usually appear where moisture gathers.
Mold affects your health and can be a ground for an inhabitable property, so make sure your unit is mold-free. Mold tends to grow in high moisture areas, so check laundry rooms, bathrooms, kitchens, and basements.
8. Test major HVAC systems for functionality
Heating, ventilation, and cooling systems are important in running a habitable rental. That’s why good landlords attend frequently to these major factors that contribute to the home’s functionality. It’s best to schedule detailed inspections and repair any broken systems.
- Take time to replace air filters
- Inspect for signs of leaking
- Replace broken pipes
- Assess the drainage if clogging occurs
- Check the water pressure
- Allow specialists to do proper electrical and plumbing system inspection
9. Attend to pest infestation
Considered among the top tenant complaints, pest infestation can turn off tenants. If you notice signs of it, make sure to resolve the issue.
The presence of termites, rodents, and bed bugs can make your rental space unfit for residence.
- Perform sanitary procedures by installing trash receptacles
- Schedule regular cleaning
- Hire exterminators monthly/ quarterly to discourage pests
Bottom Line
It might seem like you need to take care of a lot of items before getting your property ready. However, these tasks are required to ensure you’re keeping up with maintenance, and delivering value and happiness to new renters.
It also shows your prospective tenants that you care about your property. In turn, this sends them a signal that they must take great care of the property themselves once they move in.
If you have considerably less time to prepare your rental space, you can also opt to hire a property manager to do it on your behalf. Property management companies have ample resources and time to attend to property tasks.
If you’re looking for a reputable property management company for your New Jersey rental property, contact Lone Eagle Management now at (973) 377 7377.