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What are Common Repairs to Complete When a Tenant Leaves?

Dustin Edwards • Apr 22, 2022

See the Common Repairs Once a Tenant Leaves

As much as we want to keep long term tenants, it's an unavoidable fact that at some point you will have some vacancies. There will always be some sort of maintenance that will be needed to complete before putting your rental unit back onto the market. 


Below are a few repairs that will need your attention before listing your rental as well as potential upgrades to compete with a more modern market.


Flooring

One of the first things you may want to look at is the property’s flooring. Do a thorough inspection of all the rooms. Depending on what kind of flooring you have there may be no maintenance required other than a simple cleaning.


If your rental has tile flooring, make sure there are no broken tiles as this can cause injury to future tenants. Making sure the grout between the tiles can help reduce bacteria and mold which can cause bad odors.


Older homes tend to have wood flooring, if this is the case then having them be bright and shiny can be attractive to new tenants. Sometimes a proper deep clean is all you need to bring life back to dull hardwood flooring. If your previous tenant wasn’t vigilant about pets or dirt on the wood floor, you may have too many scratches and may require a refinish.

Wood flooring


If your Long Beach rental has carpeting, make sure to replace it if it is moldy, unsanitary, or ripped. Although there is no law that governs aesthetics, if the carpet is stained or very old we would recommend replacing it in order to increase its appeal. 


Vinyl and Linoleum should only be replaced when needed, or if you would like to change the aesthetic of the rental by replacing old vinyl and linoleum with a more modern pattern that can last 10 - 25 years for vinyl and 20 - 40 for linoleum.


Paint

When a tenant moves out of your rental, you may inspect the walls and think to yourself that the paint looks fine, and you may not need to repaint. Looks can be deceiving however, a closer inspection can reveal faded paint, that can make a room look dull and unappealing. If you find cracks or holes, this is the time to patch them up. Old paint can absorb odors from the previous tenant. A fresh coat of paint is highly attractive to potential tenants. The look and smell of fresh paint on the walls can make your rental feel newer and brighter. Keeping the colors of the paint simple neutral colors like light gray or white is an easy and affordable choice for rentals. As you would rarely require more than a couple coats of paint to get desired results. Just be sure to not paint over electrical outlets and switches as the pain can cause them to become faulty.


Cleaning

It goes without saying that a clean rental is necessary to attract new tenants. Eliminating bad odors, dust and grime is critical for the success of your rental. You only get one first impression. In addition to general cleaning, you will want to pay attention to less obvious parts of the rental. Fan blades, window blinds, and light fixtures can accumulate dust, which can trigger allergies and contribute to bad odors. In a kitchen, the microwave, the inside of the refrigerator and the kitchen sink need the most care as they tend to hold the majority of foul odors. Be sure to replace or clean the filter for the stove hood as well. Once you’ve reached the bathrooms, check for mold or mildew. Take care of these issues immediately as they can cause health problems for your tenants. This can be a result of poor ventilation, check the bathroom exhaust fan if you have one, and consider having one installed if you don’t. Finally if can access the AC filter clean or replace it to have fresh cool air when showing the rental to future tenants. If you don’t have access to the air filter contact a handyman or HVAC company to replace them.


General Maintenance

While inspecting the rental make sure to take note of any general maintenance that needs to be kept up with. If the showers or faucets are leaking or if any of the drains are backed up, you may need to call a plumber or handyman to fix the problem, or replace the faucets if needed. If you are providing any appliances as added amenities in your rental, make sure they are working appropriately. Common issues can be a dishwasher leak, or a break in the water line for the refrigerator. If you don’t provide appliances to your tenants now would be the time to consider it. Electrical outlets are some of the more important aspects of general maintenance. Not only should you make sure the standard outlets read 110v. You should use this opportunity to upgrade some outlets to outlets that incorporate USB sockets.


If you need more information about how to prepare your rental after a tenant moves out  feel free to call us at (562) 888-0247 or feel free to fill out our
free rental analysis to see what your rental could yield today.


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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 .
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