As a landlord, there are only two ways you make money: renting your property to tenants or selling it to a buyer. Since renting is the only option that offers long-term income, that’s usually the best option to go with. The thing is that for you to make money renting your property, you need to find and rent out to new tenants as old ones move out. One of your responsibilities will be to make sure the property is properly prepared between tenants.
Paperwork is an inevitability when it comes to renting property. At least, if you want to protect yourself legally, that is. There are a few documents that you would be wise to have in order before finalizing the rental. Of course, you’ll need the rental application first, and later, the lease agreement. To protect the interests of yourself and your tenant, it’s important to have a renter’s inspection worksheet completed. It’s also a good idea to have emergency contacts for your tenant, any addendums to your agreement, and utility providers worked out before your new tenant moves in. A notice to enter and subleasing agreement are also smart things to have squared away.
Any property will need maintenance from time to time. When you’re between tenants is the perfect time to go through your property and inspect it for any maintenance needs. It can be a lot easier to fix anything broken and make important changes while no one is living there. Such changes include things like changing locks, smoke detectors, and CO detectors. Depending on what you need to have done, maintenance may go into part of the month when your new tenant is supposed to begin their lease. You should prorate rent while repairs are ongoing so tenants aren’t paying for a full month.
In addition to maintenance, it’s a good idea to take the time to have the property deep cleaned. New tenants expect their new home to be clean and in essentially perfect condition when they move in. Plus, if you want them to leave your property the way they found it, having it deep cleaned sets the bar where it should be. You can handle the cleaning yourself if you want, or you can always hire someone else to do it for you. Make sure you know what to look for in a cleaning company so you can choose one that will get the job done the way it should be.
As a landlord, it’s your responsibility to make sure that your tenants have a clean, habitable place to live. Getting a property ready for new tenants takes some work. There’s paperwork to get in order, as well as maintenance and cleaning to handle. Give yourself the time you need to get affairs in order so you can make sure everything is handled before the move-in date.
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