By: Julie Aiello from Zumper
You know the drill. You’ve found a quality renter and have properly screened your tenant; now, it’s time for them to move in. But before you hand over the key, there are a few things you’ll want to check off the list first. Here are 6 things you’ll want to do to prepare your unit for a new tenant.
Do a Walk-Through
The first thing you’ll want to do is a thorough inspection of the unit. Check each room for anything that needs to be fixed, cleaned, or replaced before your new tenant moves in. Keep an eye out for any mold, broken fire and smoke detectors, or any other safety hazards. Your previous tenants may have left things in bad shape, but hopefully you’ll only have Once you have an overall feel for the unit’s condition, it’s time to get to work.
Paint the Walls
Landlords know it all too well that they are usually responsible for painting the interior walls of the unit. Some states require it by law, but it’s just generally expected in most. Get out that paint can and get to work, or hire professional painters to get the job done for you. A fresh coat of paint will also make the place feel a little revamped, and a clean, updated unit is a great way to start your tenant-landlord relationship off on the right foot. You might want to consider a new paint job on the outside of your unit, as well. It’s not required, but it’s a nice courtesy that will set a standard for how both you and the tenant should treat the unit.
Check to See that All Utilities Are Working
Sure, your last renter was a good tenant who left all the kitchen and bathroom appliances in one piece, but do the appliances actually work? Test the oven, open the fridge, and turn the faucets on to make sure that everything in in working condition. You’ll avoid an immediate maintenance request if your tenant moves in and everything works the way it should.
Another thing you’ll want to check is that the interior and exterior lights all work. Replace light bulbs and make any repairs to the electrical wiring, if necessary. Make sure all locks work and that you have sets of keys for each one. Your new tenant would probably really appreciate it if you label them, too!
Have the Property Cleaned, If Necessary
Tenants don’t always hire professional cleaners or clean the apartment that well themselves. Your new tenant should have a clean, tidy, and empty unit to move into. You can clean the unit on your own and save some money, or you can hire professionals to clean it for you. If your property has carpets, though, you’ll definitely want to schedule professional cleaning service to freshen them up.
Change the Locks
Even if your previous tenant has returned all the keys to the property, it’s best practice to change the locks. You don’t know if the past tenants made copies of the keys, or how many they made, so to ensure your new tenant’s safety, get new locks installed on all the doors. If your property has a garage with a security code, make sure to re-code it for your new tenant.
Schedule Appointments for New Appliances
After you checked out all your appliances, maybe you found that the refrigerator was on its last leg, or the washer and dryer are outdated and headed downhill. It’s time to buy new appliances. Buy your new items and schedule your delivery and installation appointments as soon as possible. You probably don’t want your new tenant moving in before you can give them a working refrigerator, so get your appointments set up early.
Getting your property ready for a new tenant requires some work, but it’s all worth it when your unit is occupied by a happy renter. With Zumper Pro, we make it easy to post rentals and screen tenants. Our screening comes complete with a rental application, and an Experian credit report with nationwide eviction and criminal. Even better, it’s all completely free.
(Source: Zumper.com)
