Decluttering to Prepare a Rental Property - Top Maintenance Tips

As experienced property and homeowners know there are routine maintenance routines that matter. When you prepare a rental property these routines become essential to sustain your revenue and keep the property attractive to new clients. Read on to learn our top maintenance tips as you prepare a home for new tenants.

Prepare a Rental Property by Decluttering – Key Maintenance Tips

hold a garage sale when you declutter — Hold a garage sale when you declutter and prepare a property for rental

Photo by Donatella D’Anniballe

Renting a property can be stressful. On one hand, it is crucial to take your time to vet applicants. On the other, it is a top priority to get it rented as quickly as possible.

To help your property attract the highest-quality tenants and eliminate a long waiting period, there are some straightforward maintenance tips that can help your listing stand out. Keep reading as we explore some of the best ways to prepare a rental property through decluttering and with our key upkeep tips.

Treat the Cladding

The cladding is one of the most important elements of creating awe-inspiring curb appeal that will catch the eye of potential tenants. Unfortunately, traditional favorites, such as brick and wood planks, can become weather-worn quite frankly. They should be sealed and/or painted at least every other year to maintain ongoing performance and aesthetics.

If this is a bit too much attention to detail for your liking, it may be worthwhile to consider an upgrade to more durable fiber cement siding. Engineered using a combination of sand, Portland cement, and cellulose fibers, this innovative cladding option can be manufactured in a wide array of styles to closely resemble the rustic charm of wood and masonry options.

Despite the stunning appearances, upkeep requirements are rather sparse, with an annual pressure wash the only recommendation for keeping fiber cement in top condition year after year.

Service the HVAC System

Creating a comfortable living environment for tenants is a top priority when renting out a property. No landlord wants to be awoken in the middle of the night during the dead of winter to find out that the heat isn’t working for their tenants.

prepare a rental property by decluttering — Remove excess objects when you prepare a property for rental. Decluttering and keeping the space tidy makes a better impact

Photo by HiveBoxx

As such, it is crucial to stay ahead of potential HVAC issues. Replace filters every 3-6 months to prevent clogs and optimize performance. Install backdraft dampers for even greater efficiency. Have the ducts professionally serviced each year to guarantee that no emergent issues take you by surprise.

Inspect the Roof

There is no denying that roof leaks are among the most insidious problems for a property. Often starting small and unnoticed, they can expand and trickle down throughout the rest of the home. As such, it is crucial to have the roof professionally inspected each year. This will ensure that even the hardest-to-reach corners of the roof are assessed for quality, with degraded tiles or shingles replaced as necessary to preempt any emergent issues.

Clean the Windows to Prepare a Rental Property for New Tenants

The windows are the eyes of the home. Clean, glistening glass evokes a sense of elegance and vitality that will surely appeal to would-be residents. Have the windows professionally cleaned before listing to promote this ambiance to the fullest.

woman cleaning windows — When you prepare a property for rental a deep clean is essential to maintain standards

Photo by CDC

In addition, check that key window-to-wall transitions are properly sealed. This will prevent unwanted air and moisture transfer at the frame joints, promoting energy efficiency and reducing the risk of weather-related damage.

It is Essential that you Perform a Deep Clean to Prepare a Rental Property

Whether you are offering a furnished or unfurnished rental property, decluttering and deep cleaning are top priorities. Stuffing old furniture and knick-knacks into garages, closets, or attic space not only decreases functional space, but it increases fire, pest, and mold risk. —To tackle the clutter efficiently, consider using Eagle dumpster rental for convenient and hassle-free disposal of unwanted items.— This is an essential note as as you prepare a rental property for tenants.

As such, rent a residential dumpster to quickly and efficiently get rid of only the most essential household items. Hire a professional cleaning service to sanitize every recess of the property. Pay special attention to the floors. Food spills and pet stains that have not been adequately cleaned not only mar appearances, but can threaten the ongoing vitality of the flooring surface.

If you have items you’d prefer to keep but don’t want cluttering the property, using storage units Saint-Laurent offers a secure and convenient off-site solution while you prepare the home for new tenants.

Upgrade the Appliances

It can be tempting to go with cheap, contractor-grade appliances when when you prepare a rental property. After all, it is safe to assume that these items will be “used and abused” fairly heavily by residents who will likely be gone at the end of their lease. However, choosing upgraded options offers some benefits.

kitchen with new appliances — Updating appliances can be useful when you prepare your rental property for a long let

Photo by Ellen Tanner

It will help improve the energy efficiency and functionality of your property, which will give it a leg up over similar listings. Some particularly attractive upgrades that will appeal to tenants include EnergyStar ratings, dishwashers with bottle sanitizing features, and deep-basin sinks.

Prioritize Landscaping

As you prepare a rental property you notice that the exterior presentation is becoming increasingly important. Not only must it help enhance curb appeal, but it should allow tenants to step outside and enjoy an all-important change of scenery. In addition to basic landscaping such as trimming trees, raking dead leaves, and winterizing hoses, be sure to check the condition of concrete surfaces.

landscaped easy care lawn — When you prepare a rental property consider landscaping for an easy care garden

Photo by Bilal Mansuri

Clean any grease spills with a specialized concrete cleaner and seal surfaces to reduce the porosity of concrete. It is also worthwhile to explore how to waterproof a basement and other foundational waterproofing methods at this time. This will prevent groundwater from compromising below-grade walls, promoting the structural integrity of the entire property in all seasons.

Help Your Rental Property Shine with Proper Upkeep

When you prepare a rental property for new tenants it can be stressful. However, with proper maintenance, it is more likely to quickly attract high-quality tenants. From treating the cladding to meticulous landscaping, consider any of the key upkeep ideas listed above to help your rental property shine.

For more of the leading home improvement and lifestyle trends, explore the resources at HouseSit Match for ideas and inspiration today!