Many property managers and landlords in Salt Lake City believe that a quick sweep through the home prepares it for a new resident, but this is not enough as they are missing some crucial steps. Here are five simple steps to ensure that your home is in tip-top shape and ready for a new occupant:
Step One: Re-key the Locks
Yes, you collected the keys from the resident, but did they make spares? All outside locking doors should be rekeyed between each resident. Additionally, rotate the codes on any garage doors, access gates, exterior property gates, and mailboxes. In most states this is a legal requirement to change locks between tenancy, regardless of state requirements, this is just best practice to reduce risk of any kind associated with the wrong person having a set of keys!! One of the first things you need to do as you get the property rent ready again!
Step Two: Maintenance Assessment
Send a professional through to assess any items that may need repair. They should evaluate all accessible pipes and electrical functionality, light bulbs and fixtures, garbage disposals, cabinets, windows and screens, window treatments, heating and cooling devices, doors, etc. This should also include replacing furnace filters and batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. The more detailed evaluation, the better! This is your insurance policy should the tenant disagree with move out charges, and if there is a legal matter you can never have too much documentation. This may be the most important step in getting your property turned over and rent ready. You also want to do a very detailed move in inspection after all repairs have been completed to ensure you have clear documentation about how the new tenant is receiving the property and the condition of all items during the rent ready process!
Step Three: Major Upgrades or Repairs
More costly repairs are tricky to complete with a resident in the home. Assess the condition of all flooring materials, paint, countertops, bathtub surrounds, major appliances, roofs, gutters, and chimneys/fireplaces. Are the bathrooms or kitchens outdated and in need of remodeling? Now would be the time to make those changes and evaluate what increase in rent you could obtain for upgrades. Deciding to give your property a face lift can often mean top market rent as well! Be sure to choose those upgrades wisely to be able to increase rent to the max market value during the rent ready process!
Step Four: Exterior Clean Up
Rent ready doesn’t just mean inside. Look outside, too! Haul any debris from the yard, trim the trees, prune the bushes, and cut the grass. Maybe it’s time to invest in updating your curb appeal! Having the landscaping in great condition when a new tenant moves in, means they are equally as responsible to leave it in the same great condition at move out. Don’t forget to document the outside state of the landscaping for the next turnover as well. It is one of the most commonly missed items during the rent ready process, and one of the most expensive to repair if the lawn is ruined by the tenant!
Step Five: Professional Cleaning
Even the best Salt Lake City residents don’t often clean well enough. Hire a professional cleaning service for the job and a truck mounted steam clean service for the carpets. It makes all the difference in how the home shows and how quickly it rents. Most landlords really believe they can clean it themselves, but prospective tenants have hawk eyes when it comes to cleaning! This is one of the most important finishing touches before you begin the showing process. The smell of chemicals tell new tenants the property has been disinfected and professionally cleaned. Same as with the landscaping, when you hire a professional cleaning company, you can hold the tenant to the same standards when they move out. If they fail to do so, you can often charge them for a portion of the professional cleaning service at move out. Don’t skimp on this tip when it comes to getting the property rent ready again!
Need help with a move out evaluation? Or finding the right vendors? We can help! It’s ok if you don’t need or want full service management – we offer a la carte services to help take the stress out of turning over a property and making it rent ready! Give us a call today so we can help give you back some of your time and reduce your stress! 801-571-7400
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