The previous tenants have moved out of your rental property in Highlands Ranch, and you don’t know where the next ones are coming from or when they’ll be moving in.
Before any tenant moves in, it’s important to create a checklist of basic things that need to be done. Even if major repairs or renovations aren’t necessary, it’s important to do more than just the bare minimum required to make the place habitable.
Of course, things like routine cleaning, inspecting smoke alarms, plumbing and electrical systems have to be done, but it’s also important to go the extra mile.
Check out the unit for things like mold – thoroughly investigating places like closets, the laundry area, cabinets and the bathrooms. Mold is something that can get overlooked in a routine cleaning if you don’t have an eye out for it. And mold is certainly something you don’t want your tenants finding before you do.
Make sure you change or replace the locks on the rental unit between tenants. You don’t want previous tenants to have any access to your new tenant’s property. It’s a simple task that isn’t very time-consuming.
There are also things like keypunch door locks that make changing the locks as simple as reprogramming it, or using keyless locks with key cards. These might cost a little more, but might be more cost efficient, depending on the amount of tenant turnover in your rental unit.
If you have the time, there are a few larger tasks that might be worth considering, as well. It can go a long way with tenants, and can make the rental property more attractive to top-quality tenants.
You’ve inspected and serviced all the major appliances inside the property, but there are a couple of important systems that are more cleverly hidden and can get ignored. Don’t forget to service the furnace and central air units. Getting them checked by a professional can not only give them a needed once over, but can also identify potential problems with the system.
Restoring hardwood floors can make the unit look like new, without replacing the whole floor. This isn’t refinishing, it’s simply buffing the floor and refreshing it with a new coat, making it look new again.
Spruce the whole place up inside with a fresh coat of paint, and outside by working with the landscaping. Painting can change the whole demeanor of a unit, and can make it look brand new in a way that cleaning doesn’t quite accomplish. And that landscaping can be the first impression that makes or breaks whether or not a tenant sticks around or moves on.
The condition of the unit is maybe the single most important aspect on what types of tenants you’re going to attract, and how much you’ll be able to charge for rent. Don’t be afraid to spend a little extra time or money or both to attract the type of renters you want to work with. And being proactive will save you some money in the future upkeep and maintenance.
If you have any questions about ways to help make your rental property in Highlands Ranch – or anywhere in the Denver Metro area – more appealing to renters, contact Jim Shonts with PMI Elevation today. He’s your trusted property management resource in Highlands Ranch and throughout Colorado.
Photo by Nolan Issac from StockSnap
