Owning a rental comes with a lot of responsibilities. Once your current residents vacate the home, it’s time to start the process all over again. Whether you’re a first-time landlord or you have a few leases under your belt, you need to know what steps to take to prepare your Lakewood rental for new tenants.
Steps to Prepare Your Lakewood Rental for New Tenants
Conduct an Inspection
First things first: once your residents move-out, you need to complete a move-out inspection. This allows you to process their security deposit as well as see what needs to be completed to get it ready for new tenants. Make sure to document the condition thoroughly and take plenty of pictures. Assess what items are tenant damage and what items are considered normal wear and tear.
Complete the Necessary Repairs
Once the inspection has been completed, it’s time to be proactive about getting all of the needed repairs done. Schedule and complete repairs immediately to help prepare your Lakewood rental for new tenants quickly and efficiently. The faster you get it done, the sooner you can move new residents in. Now is also the perfect time to complete any updates to your rental home, such as new floors, paint, etc.
Clean it From Top to Bottom
No one wants to move into a dirty home. Make sure to clean your rental home thoroughly between residents, including professionally cleaning the carpets. It’s important to market your home at its best and make sure it’s clean and ready for new residents as well. If needed, clean it again right before your new residents move in. All of the traffic from showings and repairs during your vacancy period can create dust and debris, so one last touch-up isn’t a bad idea.
Change the Locks
Changing the locks not only protects your new residents, but it saves you from possible liability in the event someone tries to enter the home who’s not supposed to be there. After all, you never know who the last residents gave keys to. Make sure to do so in between tenants every time. It’s a small cost for security.
Go Over the Lease
Though you expect your new tenants to read their lease and understand what they’re signing, it doesn’t hurt to go over the details directly to avoid misunderstandings. That way everyone is on the same page about who is responsible for what. Going over the lease also provides you with the opportunity to set appropriate boundaries and expectations with your new residents as well as address any questions or concerns they may have. Be sure to take the time to address any rules and regulations at this time as well, as well as how maintenance requests, rent payments, and any other procedures necessary for managing the home will be handled.
Welcome Your New Tenants!
While this isn’t necessarily a requirement, welcoming your residents to their new home sets a good impression. It can be as simple as a quick call or email welcoming them to their new home and providing specific information about the property. Some even go the extra mile to send a hand-written card or note, or even a gift basket. Whatever you decide to do, be sure to start on the right foot by maintaining a friendly yet professional attitude.
Being a landlord can be challenging. Starting in the right direction makes all the difference when preparing your Lakewood rental for new tenants.
