3 Small Tenant Friendly Features to Help You Attract and Retain Tenants
Dustin Edwards • January 16, 2021
Flexibility Can Help You Retain Great Tenants
The adage “a little goes a long way” can be said for dealing with rental properties. A small act of kindness, consistent communication, or even a small feature can help tenants understand that you truly care and keep them enjoying your property for years to come. While some features photograph well for a new rental listing there are other small items that we have found that can give you the edge to attract tenants. As you look to continue to maximize your rental portfolio consider these to help you garner the best possible tenants.
An Opportunity to Personalize Your Rental Property
This is a tough one and one that can make even the seasoned landlord cringe a bit. To get tenants to stay in a property long term they need to feel like it is their property and there is no finer way to achieve that than if you provide them the freedom to personalize the property to their taste.
The most common example of personalizing a property to a tenant would be to allow them to paint a room. For those that are already a bit queasy with this idea consider the following aspects if you decide to allow this feature:
- Permission - The tenant would need to get your permission on which room to paint. Our suggestion would be to limit the personalization to a bedroom as that is a common area of desire to personalize and is generally much smaller than common areas.
- You likely will repaint anyway - When you have a tenant stay 3+ years chances are you are going to repaint anyway...now imagine if they stayed 5 or 6 because they got to paint their room?
- Paint Colors - You might consider limiting the color choices. Colors that require extensive cover such as black might be on a list of not allowed colors. Most tenants will be happy to have choices even with a few restrictions.
Paint isn’t permanent and it is only one of the visual aspects that provides tenants a sense of ownership (i.e. some people might just want to plant their own plants). If you consider this allowing tenants to personalize the property a bit there is a good chance you will enjoy great long term tenants.
Small Storage Area
Storage continues to be in high demand throughout the Southern California market. When you evaluate a rental application while you might be looking at only their ability to afford your rental, remember people have other bills that might not show up on the application and one of those could be storage. Many of the 1940’s homes throughout Long Beach don’t have a ton of storage and if your tenant is parking their vehicle in the garage there isn’t much room left to store odds and ends.
To help tenants stay for the long haul consider updating your Long Beach rental with smart storage solutions
both internally and even as part of your property. For example, you can even get a cost effective storage container (20’ or 40’) for as little as a few thousand dollars. If this can work with your lot configuration this can be a great addition to help someone store those items that otherwise they might be paying $150-$250+ a month to store.
Ability to do External Decorations at Christmas
Holidays are often a time for extensive decorations, but if you live in a large apartment complex your options can be very limiting. When you own a single family home as a rental or even a smaller residential income property (i.e. 2-4 units) you can create a sense of community by empowering tenants with the ability to do external decorations. This can include notifying your tenant that they can do window decorations or even hanging of Christmas lights. Many will feel truly part of the neighborhood (thereby staying longer) if they can decorate the home along with the rest of the neighborhood.
When it comes to retaining tenants it often comes down to how are you making it truly feel like their home vs. a traditional rental. To help you determine what could be best for your property to empower tenants to rent for longer periods 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.
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How Long Beach property management companies market rental properties: pricing, professional listings, multi-platform exposure, fast responses, and screening.
One of the most important steps in successful rental property management is tenant screening. While marketing attracts applicants and leasing fills vacancies, the screening process determines whether a tenant will be reliable, respectful of the property, and consistent with rent payments. For Long Beach property owners, proper tenant screening can mean the difference between stable rental income and ongoing management problems. Professional property management companies in Long Beach use structured screening procedures to evaluate applicants carefully while remaining compliant with fair housing regulations. A strong screening process protects your property, your income, and your long-term investment. Why Tenant Screening Matters Tenant screening is designed to reduce risk before a lease is signed by evaluating applicant reliability. When landlords skip or rush this process, they increase the likelihood of avoidable issues. These may include late or missed rent payments , lease violations, or property damage. Additional risks include neighbor complaints and costly eviction proceedings. Replacing a problematic tenant can be expensive and time-consuming. Between lost rent, repairs, and vacancy periods , a single bad tenant placement can cost thousands of dollars. Professional rental property management prioritizes careful screening because prevention is far easier than resolving problems later. The Tenant Application Process The screening process begins with a rental application. A thorough application collects information needed to evaluate whether an applicant meets the property's rental criteria . Applications typically request: Personal identification information Employment and income details Rental history References from previous landlords Authorization for credit and background checks Property managers review this information to ensure the applicant meets established qualification standards. Consistency is critical; property management companies in Long Beach must evaluate applicants using the same criteria to remain compliant with fair housing laws. Credit History Evaluation Credit history is one of the most common factors considered during tenant screening because it reflects financial reliability. A credit report provides insight into an applicant's behavior over time. This includes payment history, outstanding debts, and collections accounts. It also shows credit utilization, which helps assess overall risk. While a credit score alone does not determine whether someone will be a good tenant, it helps identify patterns of financial responsibility. Professional Long Beach property management services evaluate credit reports carefully while also considering income stability and rental history. Some applicants with lower credit scores may still qualify if they demonstrate strong income and a reliable rental record. Income Verification and Affordability One of the most important indicators of whether a tenant can consistently pay rent is income stability. Property managers verify income to ensure that applicants can reasonably afford the monthly rent. A common guideline is that tenants should earn at least two-and-a-half to three times the monthly rent in gross income. Income verification may include reviewing: Recent pay stubs Employment verification Bank statements Tax returns for self-employed applicants This step helps ensure the tenant's financial situation supports consistent rent payments. Professional property management uses income verification to reduce the risk of late rent or financial hardship. Rental History and Previous Landlord References Past rental behavior is often one of the best indicators of future tenant behavior. Property managers typically contact previous landlords to verify information such as: Payment history Lease compliance Property condition upon move-out Whether the landlord would rent to the tenant again A strong rental history suggests the applicant understands tenant responsibilities and has demonstrated reliability in the past. Experienced property managers in Long Beach California pay close attention to rental history because it can reveal patterns that credit reports alone may not show. Background Screening and Compliance Background screening may also be part of the tenant evaluation process. This can include criminal history checks conducted in compliance with fair housing regulations. It is important that background screening is performed consistently and in accordance with local and state laws. California and many cities have regulations governing how criminal records can be considered in rental decisions. Professional property management companies in Long Beach stay current on these regulations to ensure that screening practices remain compliant. This protects property owners from potential legal risks related to discriminatory screening practices. Establishing Clear Rental Criteria Before screening applicants, property managers establish clear rental criteria. These criteria outline the minimum standards applicants must meet to qualify for the property. Typical criteria may address: Minimum income requirements Credit history expectations Rental history standards Occupancy limits By establishing criteria in advance, property managers ensure that all applicants are evaluated fairly and consistently. Clear criteria also help set expectations for applicants and streamline the approval process. The Importance of Fair Housing Compliance Tenant screening must always comply with federal, state, and local fair housing laws . Landlords cannot discriminate based on protected characteristics such as race, religion, national origin, disability, familial status, gender, sexual orientation, or other protected categories under California law. Professional property management in Long Beach California includes careful adherence to fair housing regulations throughout the screening process. Consistent procedures help ensure compliance while protecting property owners from legal exposure. Why Professional Tenant Screening Matters Tenant screening requires experience, attention to detail, and knowledge of legal guidelines. Many landlords underestimate how complex the process can be. Evaluating applications while maintaining compliance with fair housing laws and local regulations requires careful procedures. A property management company in Long Beach brings established systems and experience to the screening process. This helps property owners avoid common mistakes while improving the chances of placing the best tenants for their rental . When screening is handled professionally, landlords can feel more confident that their rental property is in good hands. The Long-Term Value of Careful Tenant Placement A good tenant can make rental ownership significantly easier. Responsible tenants pay rent on time, maintain the property, and communicate effectively when maintenance issues arise. Careful screening increases the likelihood of finding tenants who will remain in the property long-term. Long-term tenants reduce turnover costs , minimize vacancy periods, and create more stable rental income. Professional property management companies understand that tenant placement is one of the most important decisions in the entire rental process. How Beach Cities Management Screens Tenants At Beach Cities Management, our rental property management in Long Beach includes a structured tenant screening process designed to protect both property owners and tenants. Our screening procedures include: Comprehensive rental applications Credit and income verification Rental history checks Fair housing compliant evaluation standards Our goal is to place qualified tenants who will respect the property and maintain consistent rent payments. Ready for Professional Tenant Screening and Leasing? If you want help leasing and managing your rental property, professional Long Beach property management can simplify the process and reduce risk. Apply today through our **Owner Application** . Let Beach Cities Management handle tenant screening, leasing, and property management so you can focus on building long-term investment success.
How a well-written lease protects Long Beach landlords and tenants, what it must include, and how professional property management keeps leases compliant.
