We’ve just bought an investment property in Murfreesboro, Tenn., and are getting it ready to rent. It’s a good time to review the “make ready” process for rental homes. Preparing a rental home for tenants includes things some landlords don’t always consider.
Start with the interior. Do you have the required number of smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in the proper place for your home to be up to Middle Tennessee code? Has the furnace and air conditioner been serviced in the last 12 months? Have all filters been changed? What about batteries in the detectors and garage door openers?
Now take a good look around. Do the walls need touch up or a full painting? Look at the caulking around tubs, sinks, toilets and window seals. Don’t forget to check the weather stripping. Is there a need for a pest control service? Check the appliances for proper function. Turn on all burners, check the refrigerator and freezer, dishwasher, and all faucets. Repair any malfunctions — these items will need to be in good repair. All appliances and “personal property” such as washers and dryers, lawnmowers, etc., will have the same rule. Make sure before leaving anything in the home that you plan to keep it in good repair for as long as a tenant lives there.
Next, replace any burnt out light bulbs and have the home professionally cleaned, including the carpet. This will go a long way in helping get your property rented and having your new renters treat the home with respect.
Don’t neglect the exterior of the home. Make sure the gutters are cleaned, the lawn has been mowed and edged, and the weeds and debris have been cleared out. If you have shrubbery or trees that need attention, a good landscape service can tidy up the exterior for you.
Completing this process yourself can take days or even weeks, depending on the condition of your house. Using professional services will take less time, but require a cost. Also, you need to be careful to check references and ensure the vendors can complete the job in your time frame. Whichever way you choose to go, making sure that your home is truly “rent ready” will save you time, money, and headaches in the future.
Stay tuned for updates on our own rental property as we go through the “make ready” process ourselves!
We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the Nation. See Equal Housing Opportunity Statement for more information.
