Blog Post

What types of repairs can I expect to complete when a tenant leaves?

Dustin Edwards • Aug 14, 2020

Understanding what repairs could be needed can help you to properly maintain your rental

Repair Person with Tools
Owning a rental property means understanding that you will have repairs to do when a tenants’ lease period is up. The level of repairs you will have to make will certainly depend on the tenant. Completing these repairs in a timely manner will limit your time the property is vacant and maximize your property value. Today we have selected a few key areas that tend to be among the most common repair questions we receive when a property is vacant.

Painting a Property after a Tenant Leaves

When a tenant has been in a property for more than a few years it is nearly inevitable that you will need to repaint the property. This doesn’t necessarily mean that every room needs a complete repaint as there are times walls can be cleaned but keep in mind the following as you decide whether or not painting is the right decision.
  • Amount of Patching - To truly feel like home most people will want to hang pictures on the wall which results in holes in the drywall that would need to be patched. If there were a considerable number of items on the wall, just patching or touch up paint could look odd and not help you to get the best possible rental amount.
  • Smells - Whether it’s cooking, pet smells, or smoking (hopefully not) a fresh coat of paint can do wonders to help the next tenant understand how you treat the property. A fresh coat of paint offers that “new home feel” without bringing the property down to the studs.  
Flooring for Your Long Beach Rental

There is no getting around the fact that flooring is one of the most widely needed fixes/replacement when a tenant vacates a property. It is an item that gets used daily and it is quite often in need of replacement. As you consider replacing your flooring, we invite you to consider the following:
  • Carpet - Carpet is generally popular in bedrooms as it provides a bit of comfort but won’t experience as much wear as a living room. As you consider which carpet to replace in your rental, we challenge you to spend a bit of time to consider the padding. The right padding choice can help extend the life of your carpet and even provide a better experience for your tenants.
  • Laminate Flooring - For many years laminate flooring would get a bad reputation and people would only consider wood flooring. While wood flooring can be nice for your primary residence it doesn’t always lend itself to the higher demands associated with a rental property. Laminate flooring can now be cost effective (i.e. less than $2 a foot without installation) and can have a warranty that lasts up to 30 years. With flooring that is highly water resistant and a long warranty period this is one of the items you can consider replacing your existing flooring with after a tenant vacates.
Faucets and any Connection Dealing with Water

Some people carefully turn on and turn off faucet handles while others are a bit tougher. With water damage posing one of the larger threats to a property a key item that often needs replacing is that of faucets and even 
  • Faucets - A leaky faucet can go from an annoyance to an expensive problem quickly. We have found that while you can often fix a faucet (if it is leaking), if a tenant has vacated it is often worth purchasing new faucets to ensure that your tenants enjoy a hassle free existence (and you can rest easier knowing it’s new).
  • Laundry Supply Lines - We recommend having braided supply lines (vs. rubber) for your laundry unit. They have a longer lifespan and hold up to the rigors of high usage. If you have had rubber hose supply lines in your rental in the past be prepared to swap them out with braided lines when your tenant vacates.
When it comes to repairs after a tenant vacates these are just a few of the top items we encounter. To help you determine what repairs could be needed for your Long Beach Rental we invite you to call us today at (562) 888-0247. Or if you prefer a complete evaluation of your property we invite you to fill out our Free Rental Analysis.

Share this post

By Dustin Edwards 01 May, 2024
Everyone wants to feel safe in their homes. As an investment property owner, it's up to you to decide whether or not to include security measures in your property. Many of the costs associated with the security measures can be included in the rent, meaning not only can you keep your property safe, but you can earn more income in the long run. However, you would still want your tenants to have renters insurance to protect their assets. Today, we’ll discuss the top five security measures you can add to your property and why they're beneficial to you and your tenant. Security Cameras Cameras are probably one of the first security measures people think about when asked about security. Cameras provide more benefits than just surveillance. They provide an extra level of security for the safety of the tenants and their belongings. Additionally, security cameras can be useful when repairs are required. Cameras can aid in supervising repairs and maintenance to ensure you’re receiving the agreed-upon work. During vacancies when the property is empty, security cameras can help keep the property safe from potential intruders. Doorbell cameras are incredibly popular now. They provide the aforementioned safety of a camera that can be accessed remotely, as well as the ability to communicate with visitors. Although one must be careful never to say you're not home, just say you're unavailable to strangers. Security Lights Security lights with motion detectors are another effective tool when adding security measures to your property. These lights brightly if a potential intruder attempts to get near your home. They can provide enough illumination to see the intruder or, at the very least, scare them off. Nowadays, you can find a combination of security cameras and motion-activated security lights, such as the floodlight cam wired plus from Ring . Additionally, because these lights only turn on when motion is detected, they’re more cost-effective than traditional lights with a switch. Illuminate the Property Light generally deters intruders as it's more difficult to hide. Adding lighting to the landscaping can increase the security of the property while creating a relaxing atmosphere. Lights can also be used in other areas of the property to accent features such as trees, benches, or artwork. This can help your property stand out while giving your tenants an additional feeling of safety. Keyless Entry Keyless entry is seen as both a convenience feature and a security feature. They usually use an electronic passcode, biometric data, or grant access through a smartphone app. Physical keys can be lost, stolen, or duplicated. You reduce the risk of unauthorized entry by eliminating the need for a physical key to enter the property. Many keyless entry systems include several features, such as remote locking and monitoring. Although keyless entry is a great new technology for keeping your tenants and properties safe, they’re best used with other security systems. Security Company Nothing beats having an extra pair of eyes on your property for security. This is where security companies like ADT and SimpliSafe come in. While companies may deal with security in varying ways, they aim to protect your investment. While safety is the primary role of a security company, remember that many tenants may be willing to pay more for a premium amenity like a home security company. Keeping your property and tenants safe is incredibly important to the longevity of an investment property. If you’re looking to improve the security of your Long Beach rental property or need help managing your beach city rental property, we invite you to call us today at (562) 888-0247 or fill out our Owner Application online .
By Dustin Edwards 19 Apr, 2024
Communication is key to maintaining good relationships with clients. However, there are several ways to communicate, so we intend to give you the best methods we've explored.
By Dustin Edwards 10 Apr, 2024
If you're thinking about how much different managing condos are from single-family homes, look at these top 5 reasons.
Show More
Share by: