Updated February 24, 2021
Being a landlord brings a lot of responsibilities, both legal and moral. Once your previous tenant moves out, you need to start preparing your rental property for the next tenant. However, to appeal to your dream tenant, you also need to be their dream landlord – it goes both ways. And all you need to do is get everything ready to ensure a successful, smooth turnover.
Start with an audit
After your previous tenant moves out, the first thing you need to do is to conduct a detailed audit of your rental property. This will provide you with a more in-depth insight into its general condition and help you identify some maintenance issues. You should check every nook and cranny, paying particular attention to plumbing, electrical installations, appliances, water heater, and insulation around doors and windows. Make a list of all the problems you come across and start crossing them off one by one.
Perform the necessary repairs for a smooth turnover
You must repair any damage, health, or safety issues in your rental before your new tenant moves in. You are obliged to create a comfortable and healthy living environment for them. This will help you ensure the safety and health of your new tenant and pass any property inspections. Also, some basic repairs can significantly boost your property's appeal significantly, helping you attract top-tier tenants. Painting your walls is also a great way to create a fresh, new look in your rental. It's one of the simplest yet most effective home improvements that is bound to pay off.
Clean it thoroughly
Since you're doing a rental turnover, you must clean your property meticulously. Hygiene is one of the basic living standards you need to meet, so you should make sure that your property is spotless. Of course, you can always hire cleaning professionals to help you out. However, if you decide to clean your rental property by yourself, you should pay special attention to the bathroom and the kitchen.
Furnish it and elevate its décor
If your previous tenant has been living in your rental property for years, some of your furniture or appliances might be worn-out due to normal wear and tear. If you want to attract your dream tenant, you should consider adding some new pieces of furniture. This will help you introduce a sense of novelty into your rental and create a stylish appeal. You can even repurpose some of your furniture if you don't need it.
However, since you'll have to transport furniture and other pieces to your rental, you should consider renting a truck because it can be a more affordable solution than driving back and forth in your car. You can find companies that feature great offers that will help you reduce your costs. For instance, a reputable Budget truck hire company provides its clients with special deals and moving truck rates. Therefore, you should research your options and compare prices before renting a moving truck.
Change the locks
Another essential step in a smooth turnover that will help you prepare your rental for your new tenant is changing the locks. You can never know whether your previous tenant made some additional copies of the key. Therefore, the only way to ensure the safety of your new tenant is to change the locks. This will also protect you from any possible legal liability.
Go over the lease for a smooth turnover
Instead of just giving your new tenant the lease to sign, you should go over it in detail. Only then can you be sure that they understood it completely. You should explain any special requirements and answer your tenant's questions regarding the lease. Once you made sure that everything is clear, you can both sign the lease agreement.
Discuss any rules, procedures, and requests
You should also inform your tenant about special rules and procedures that aren't specified in the lease. These may entail specific building rules that everyone needs to follow. You should also ask if your tenant has some special requests that you can accommodate. If they do have, you should include them in the lease.
Welcome your new tenant
After getting everything ready for your new tenant, you should welcome them to their new home. Of course, this isn't required, but it can make a great impression on your tenant. You can write them a welcome letter and include all the necessary information, such as your contact number, how they can pay their rent or the nearest supermarket's location.
Appealing to a great tenant requires you to be a great landlord, and these essential steps will help you become one.
About the Author: Cooper Klein is an entrepreneur with a degree in Marketing, based in Sydney. He's interested in business and home decor. To spend more time with his family, Cooper decided to take a break, and he's currently working from home as a blogger and a business consultant.