by admin | Mar 29, 2023 | Uncategorized
Handling paperwork can be daunting for landlords. However, it’s one of the most important responsibilities you have. A very helpful document to have on hand is a move-out letter. A move-out letter notifies your tenant of your expectations when they come to the end of the lease. Sending a well-detailed letter can prove to be extremely useful to your bottom line.
The goal of sending your tenant a move-out letter is to help encourage them to leave the property in the same condition they found it in, not including normal wear and tear. This will ultimately save you time in trying to make the property rent-ready again.
Vacancies can be costly to landlords. And that cost can be even higher if the tenant leaves the property in bad condition. That’s why move-out letters are important. The following is everything you need to know about move-out letters.
The Purpose of a Move-out Letter
Once a tenancy ends, both you and your tenant have the option to renew it or end it. If either one of you chooses to terminate the tenancy, the state law may obligate you to notify your tenant of your intentions.
In the state of Washington, parties in a periodic lease are required to notify the other before terminating the lease. Whether the lease runs monthly, quarterly, or yearly, you must provide your tenant with a notice of at least 20 days prior to terminating their tenancy.
In the notice, clearly outline your expectations to the tenant to avoid potential confusion or misunderstanding. Lay out your inspection procedures and let the tenant know their cleaning and repair responsibilities.
As already mentioned, tenant turnover can be costly to your bottom line. And while you may be able to use part or all of their security deposit, the time factor may still have an impact on your bottom line. That’s why it’s best to use a move-out letter to minimize this risk.
Benefits of a Move-out Letter for Landlords
As a landlord, the following are some benefits of sending move-out letters:
- Provides tenants an opportunity to fix issues before moving out.
- Communicates your expectations to the tenant. A proper move-out letter can help avoid miscommunication by properly outlining your expectations.
- Helps ensure the tenant leaves on good terms. In other words, it may act as a formal “thank you” to the tenant for renting your property and observing the rules.
How to Write a Proper Move-out Letter
Move-out letters will vary as no two rental properties are the same. As such, you may want to consult with a legal counsel or a reputable property management company for professional assistance.
That said, the following is some of the important information that a standard letter should include:
- The delivery date and the manner in which it was delivered to the tenant
- Your contact information
- The move-out date and the reason for the termination
- Whether you’re going to do a walk-through inspection with the tenant
- The tenant’s obligation to clean the property
- The move-out inspection date
- What the tenant must have done to get a refund of their security deposit
The Difference Between a Move-out Letter and an Eviction Notice
A move-out letter simply notifies your tenant that you will be terminating their lease. An eviction notice, on the other hand, is a legal document that seeks to terminate the tenancy for a lease violation. Common lease violations include nonpayment of rent, excessive property damage, and failure to abide by the lease terms. The following is a basic overview of the eviction process in Washington:
- Have a legal ground to evict the tenant
- Serve the tenant with the appropriate eviction notice
- File a complaint with the court if the matter remains unresolved
- Attend the court hearing and await the judgment
- Obtain a Writ of Restitution
- Seek help from a sheriff to remove the tenant if the tenant refuses to leave after issuance of the writ
From start to finish, the eviction process can take anywhere from one to three months depending on various factors.
It goes without saying that you must follow the proper eviction process to be successful in removing the tenant. It’d be illegal to try to “self-evict” the tenant through methods like shutting down utilities or removing their belongings.
Tenant Responsibilities to Include in a Move-out Letter
Ultimately, what to include in a move-out checklist and letter will vary from one landlord to another. Nevertheless, let the tenant know what they must do to get a refund of their security deposit.
When it comes to cleaning, let the tenant know they must clean all bathrooms and windows, vacuum the floors, and dispose of the garbage. You must also let them know that it’s their responsibility to repair things they have damaged.
If the tenant returns the property in good condition, then great! However, if they don’t, then you may have a right to make appropriate deductions to their security deposit. Once you have, you must send the remaining amount to the tenant within 14 days of them moving out. You must also include a written statement indicating the amount you used and why.
Bottom Line
A move-out letter is vital when owning a rental property. And while this may not be the most enjoyable part of being a landlord, it can protect your bottom line. If you still have a question regarding move-out letters or need help managing your rental properties, turn to the experts at T-Square Properties! We provide expert property management services to property owners in King & Snohomish County.
Disclaimer: This blog article is for informational purposes. The information contained in this blog article may not be the official policies of T-Square Properties.
by admin | Feb 22, 2023 | Uncategorized
Do you own rental property and need ways to retain good tenants? Retaining tenants can be a challenge but with the right strategies, you can create a successful rental property business. High tenant turnover can be costly. What’s more, as a landlord, you’ll be spending more time marketing and screening tenants. It’s vital to take the time and effort to retain tenants to save you in the long run.
In this article, we’ll discuss six of the best ways to retain tenants, including offering incentives, providing great customer service, and more. With these tips, you’ll be able to keep your tenants happy and ensure that your rental properties are run successfully.
Why It’s Important for Landlords to Retain Tenants
It’s important for landlords to retain tenants for a variety of reasons. Retaining tenants helps to ensure that a rental property continues to generate a steady income. It also eliminates the costs associated with finding new tenants, such as property marketing, repairs and cleanings, and tenant screening expenses.
Additionally, it allows landlords to build relationships with their tenants, which can help to reduce tenant turnover. Having a good relationship with tenants can also lead to better communication, which can help to ensure that rental agreements are upheld and that maintenance requests are addressed in a timely manner.
Ultimately, retaining tenants is beneficial for both landlords and tenants, as it helps to ensure a stable and secure rental experience for both parties.
Tips to Retain Tenants
As a landlord, it’s important to do everything you can to retain tenants. Not only will this save you the time and money of having to find new ones, but it will also ensure that your rental property is always occupied. There are a number of ways to retain tenants, including the following:
1. Offer Competitive Rent Prices
One of the best ways to retain tenants in a rental property is to offer a competitive rent price. If a tenant feels like they are paying too much in rent, they are more likely to start looking for a new place to live.
When setting your rent price, look at comparable units in your area as well as the special amenities you offer. From there, set a rent price that helps you earn passive income and cover your expenses, while also remaining competitive in the market.
2. Ensure Easy Rental Process
You can also try making the rental process as smooth as possible. If a tenant has a bad experience during the renting process, they may be less likely to want to renew their lease. By making sure that all of the paperwork is in order and that the move-in process is seamless, you can increase the chances that your tenant will want to stay.
3. Be Responsive to Maintenance Requests
It’s also important to be responsive to maintenance requests. If a tenant has an issue with their rented premises, they will be more likely to move if they feel like their concerns are not being heard. What’s more, if the warranty of habitability isn’t being adhered to, they could have caused a break in their lease.
You should make sure to address any property issues as soon as possible. This shows tenants that you’re concerned about their well-being. Additionally, if a tenant requests a change to the property such as painting the walls or adding new furniture, try to accommodate their request if possible to show that you value their comfort.
Addressing issues promptly shows tenants that you care, protect your property value, and ensure that your rental business is legally compliant, all of which help with tenant retention.
4. Offer High-end Amenities
Another way of keeping tenants is by providing amenities that they want and need. If your rental property does not have any desirable or competitive amenities, tenants may start looking for new accommodations elsewhere. For example, if you have a pet-friendly policy, are building has a gym or swimming pool, or offers private parking you could stand out from the competition. What’s more, tenants are more likely going renew their leases.
5. Have Flexible Lease Terms
Another thing that tenants often look for is flexibility when it comes to leasing terms. If you’re able to offer month-to-month leases or shorter lease terms, this will make your rental property more attractive than ones with longer lease terms of 12 months.
Additionally, if a tenant wants to move out before their lease is up, try to be flexible and allow them to do so for a small fee. This will show them that you’re understanding and willing to work with them to achieve a mutually beneficial agreement.
6. Get to Know Tenants
Try getting to know your tenants better. Ensure that you keep open lines of communication so that tenants can easily reach you and feel heard. When tenants feel like they are part of the community, they are more likely than not going renew their lease agreement.
Bottom Line
Retaining a tenant is an important part of the rental business. Offering competitive rental rates, providing prompt and professional customer service, keeping the rental unit in good condition, offering incentives, encouraging tenant feedback, and building a positive relationship with each tenant and help with retention rates.
By implementing the six best ways of retaining a tenant, landlords can help ensure that their tenants stay longer and are happier with their rental experience. If you would like help managing your rental properties, please contact the experts at T-Square Properties today!
Disclaimer: This blog article is for informational purposes. The information contained in this blog article may not be the official policies of T-Square Properties.
by admin | Jan 27, 2023 | Uncategorized
The reason you have spent the time, energy, and money in acquiring the rental property is to enjoy a passive rental income for many months to come. To meet that goal, you must avoid certain common pitfalls.
One such pitfall is failing to have a proper marketing strategy in place for your rental property. And by not having one, you won’t be able to target the right tenant. As a result, you may end up renting to a difficult tenant which causes added stress.
But here is the good news, there are proven solutions to rental marketing mistakes. In today’s blog, we at T-Square Properties will walk you through the common rental marketing mistakes to avoid and what you can do to solve them.
Failing to Target the Right Tenants
Know what kind of tenant you’re targeting right from the beginning. This is the only way that you’ll be able to create a targeted marketing campaign that gives you optimal results.
Therefore, if you’re just starting, spend some time doing your research. Know your target audience and understand their housing needs. Then, start devising specific strategies on how to reach them.
Relying on One Marketing Tactic
Are you still using yard signs to market your vacant rental property? While that may work for small-scale local marketing efforts, nowadays, you need to use a combination of marketing tactics to reach as many prospective tenants as possible.
From yard signs, local classifieds, and flyers on community bulletin boards, to social media, rental listing sites, and word-of-mouth, there are many market avenues to explore. Doing so will ensure that your property is exposed to many prospective tenants, which will maximize your chances of landing the right one.
Handling Everything on Your Own
Managing a rental property is a team effort. Trying to manage everything on your own opens you up to several risks. The following are some professionals that you need in your corner to be a successful real estate investor:
- An Attorney – No matter how experienced you are as a landlord, you’re likely to encounter a legal issue at some point in your career. Understanding laws while marketing properties, screening tenants, and conducting management tasks is vital.
- A Certified Accountant – You must file your taxes every season. They can also help you maximize your tax deductions, thereby reducing your expenses.
- A Real Estate Agent – They can help you find the right property to invest in because of their intimate knowledge of the local market. They also have networks to help spread the word about your available rentals.
- General Contractor – Before you can start marketing and renting out your property, it’ll be your responsibility to ensure it’s up to code. It’ll also be your responsibility to respond to your tenants’ maintenance requests. This is where a general contractor comes in.
- A Property Manager – If you get a good property manager, they’ll be able to address all the tasks listed above.
Drafting Uninspiring Rental Ads
This is one of the worst mistakes you can make when it comes to rental property advertising. A rental ad is supposed to help you get the word out about your available units and encourage people to check them out.
First, you need to take high-quality photos. Ideally, work with a professional photographer. Next, write a proper headline. Make it eye-catching as it is the first thing a prospective tenant will come across in your rental ad. Ensure it contains important details such as the rental price, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, rental location, and a desirable feature about the property.
Last but not the least, compose an engaging description to accompany the photos to help prospective tenants visualize themselves living there. Keep it detailed yet succinct.
Not Charging Tenants the Right Price
How you price your rental property can make or break your marketing efforts. The rental price is one of the first things that prospective tenants look for when they come across a rental ad.
Charging too much makes your property undesirable while charging too little results in missed earnings. Conduct a comparative market analysis to know just how much you should be charging.
Not Complying with the Fair Housing Act
This is another grave mistake you can make when marketing your rental property. As a landlord, compliance with the Fair Housing Act, alongside all other legal obligations, is a must.
The Fair Housing Act requires landlords to treat tenants equally and fairly based on several protected classes. The classes include race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, and familial status.
When marketing your rental property, you want to avoid including any discriminatory language such as, “Ideal for a Couple,” or “Perfect for Single Professionals,”. Instead, focus on describing the property rather than your ideal tenants when marketing vacant units.
Not Hiring a Property Manager
Hiring an experienced property manager is your best bet to avoid the aforementioned property marketing mistakes. A good property manager will have managed dozens, if not hundreds, of rental properties throughout their careers. They will have ample knowledge of what needs to be done at every step of the way.
What’s more, a good property manager can help you not only market your property, but also screen prospective tenants, collect rent, maintain units, address tenant concerns, and take care of all paperwork.
Bottom Line
These are 7 common property marketing mistakes an investor should avoid. For expert help in managing your property, look no further than T-Square Properties.
We’re a proven property management company dedicated to maximizing investors’ ROI. Get in touch to learn more!
Disclaimer: This blog article is for informational purposes. The information contained in this blog article may not be the official policies of T-Square Properties.
by admin | Jan 4, 2023 | Uncategorized
Getting the paperwork correct when renting out a house for the first time can be a challenge. But the more experience you have with managing your real estate portfolio, the easier it is to understand the documents you need and the ones you don’t.
A huge factor in your success as a property owner is how you can maintain records of all your important documents. These documents guarantee that you and your tenant are in agreement over every aspect of your property.
To help you gain a better understanding of the important documents you need, we at T-Square Properties have put together the following guide:
Lease or Rental Contracts
You should always have your lease agreements available. All tenants living in the property should be listed on the leases, and everyone should sign the document and keep a copy of it. Including any co-signer or guarantor.
You must also disclose the monthly rent amount, due date, allowed payment methods, and whether late fees can apply. The tenant’s lease should state the size of the security deposit, and whether the renter’s insurance is necessary.
This agreement should also specify how often the property will be inspected and who will have access to the tenant’s unit.
Move-In and Move-Out Checklists
Make checklists to record the state of the property before and after each renter leaves the property. Every room in the property should be listed, along with spaces to describe the cleanliness of every element and appliance.
Go over the property and note the condition of each item on the list before the tenants arrive. Do this again after they leave and repeat the process.
Lease Renewal Letters
You can provide lease renewal opportunities to your tenants a month or two before the lease term expires. This helps you prevent extended vacancy periods and expensive property turnover fees. Even if the tenant decides not to renew, it can serve as evidence that the options were offered to them.
Inspection Reports
A comprehensive walk-through is a good idea to prevent the frustrating situation of disputes with a renter regarding damage caused during the tenancy.
The purpose of this rental inspection report is to assist you in accurately documenting the condition of the property from the start of the tenancy. It can also serve as a checklist and report and a method to ensure you comply with housing standards.
It is highly recommended that you read this report with the tenant so you can be in agreement with each other on the outcome.
It is also important to include photographic documentation in this landlord document, which will serve as legal proof in case of a dispute and prevent disagreements over the property’s condition after the tenant vacates.
Rental Application Form
Landlords can use a rental application form to collect a range of personal data from prospective tenants and use that data to screen them to see if they are a suitable fit for a rental. Before signing a lease agreement, a landlord must evaluate all rental applications, to decide which prospect is the best for your property.
If all potential tenants receive the same rental application, it will guarantee fairness in your screening procedure. In order to comply with the Federal Fair Housing Act, this is essential. Discrimination against people on the basis of their race, skin color, nationality, religion, gender, age, family situation, or handicap is illegal as they are protected classes under the Federal Fair Housing Act.
Background Check Records
Landlords should examine their applicant’s credit and background when they submit an application.
As their landlord, you should then keep a copy of this information in the tenant’s file just in case something goes wrong later. Make a list of initial questions to pose to prospective tenants and make sure you’re posing the same question to everyone.
Call any references mentioned on the rental application as well. Then prepare a list of inquiries for each reference to ensure consistency and openness.
Move-Out Letter
If a renter decides to leave, you must write them a move-out letter outlining the conditions of their departure. Send the letter out two or three weeks prior to the departure date and then make sure you keep a copy of it, for your records.
In this case, you might wish to remind your tenants of the penalties for breaking the lease, such as fines or fees that would be removed from their deposit if they leave soiled or abandoned furniture on the property.
Request that they lock the door after they are done and give you a forwarding address where you may mail any remaining security deposit funds.
Bottom Line
Owning a rental property involves a lot of paperwork. But by keeping track of important documentation, you can be sure you’ll be ready for anything. So, by keeping the rental documents mentioned in article safe but on hand, it will make operating your rental property more convenient.
You can make sure that you and your tenants have a positive, professional connection during their tenancy by collecting all paperwork required to secure your property. But if you find keeping track of all the necessary papers becomes difficult, you can choose to hire a property manager to assist you.
At T-square Real Estate Services, Inc. we are a licensed real estate and property management company providing a variety of property management services to turn your property into a thriving investment.
We take pride in our ability to provide value to our clients by forging steadfast and enduring bonds with our property owners. Contact us today!
Disclaimer: This blog article is for informational purposes. The information contained in this blog article may not be the official policies of T-Square Properties.
by admin | Nov 29, 2022 | Uncategorized
Both parties under the lease agreement – renters and landlords – have certain rights and obligations. A solid lease agreement helps outline important things such as:
- When, where, and how rent is due
- Limits of occupancy
- Maintenance obligations
- Length of the rental period
A lease is a legally binding contract between you and your tenant. If either party breaks it, a myriad of potential legal and/or financial repercussions can follow. One such scenario is when a tenant fails to move out after the expiry of their lease term. In such a situation, what are you to do as a landlord? The following is everything you need to know in this regard!
What is a Holdover Tenant?
A holdover tenant is a tenant who refuses to leave their rented premises after their lease has expired. They may continue to occupy their rented premises until you decide to take legal action against them. Some holdover tenants may continue to abide by the terms of the lease agreement, such as paying rent. Whereas, others may choose not to and continue to stay there nonetheless.
Regardless, a holdover tenant would violate the lease agreement by staying there illegally past their initial lease period. They would need to negotiate new lease terms with you if they are paying rent. But if they are not paying rent, then they would technically be trespassing on the property.
What Potential Issues Does a Holdover Tenant Create for a Landlord?
Having a holdover tenant can create several problems for you and your investment. They are as follows:
- Laws regarding the eviction of holdover tenants are usually different from those involving other landlord-tenant disputes. In Washington, you must serve your tenant a 20-day notice to quit to end the tenancy. This will give your tenant 20 calendar days to move out before you can file a lawsuit with the appropriate Superior Court.
- You won’t have control over when there is a vacancy. The eviction process alone can take anywhere between one and three months. When they do finally move out, it may come at a time when it’d be difficult to find a replacement tenant.
- You may have to postpone scheduled maintenance that you’d normally do after a tenant moves out. And the longer the holdover tenant stays there, the more damage and were and tear they may cause to the unit.
- You may not be able to raise the rent as long as the holdover tenant stays.
What is the Best way to Handle a Holdover Tenant in Washington?
You can handle a holdover tenant in a couple of ways. They are as follows:
Allow Them to Stay
Has the tenant been paying rent on time? Have they also been abiding by other terms of the lease agreement? If so, you can choose to let them stay in the unit.
Please note, however, if you choose to do so, then you’ll lose any right to evict them based on them being a holdover.
Remove them From the Unit
As a landlord, you must have had a good reason not to renew the lease. The tenant, for instance, may have been difficult, failed to pay rent on time, or failed to abide by the terms of the agreement. If you choose to evict them, you must follow the proper eviction process as outlined under Washington laws.
The following is a basic overview of the process:
- Serve the tenant a 20-Day Notice to Quit to end the tenancy.
- If the tenant doesn’t move out within 20 days, move to the appropriate Superior Court and file a lawsuit. The court will issue you with a summons and complaint upon successful filing.
- Wait for the tenant to file an answer. If they file an answer, the date for the hearing will be assigned by the court. But if the tenant chooses not to answer, the court will issue a default judgment in your favor.
- Attend the hearing and wait for the judgment. If the judgment is in your favor, the court will issue you with a writ of restitution.
- After the writ of restitution is served, the tenant will have only 3 calendar days to move out. If they don’t, law enforcement officers will remove them from the unit.
Please note that you cannot try to evict the tenant any other than through a court order. If you are a self-managing or long-distance landlord, the best option for you would be to hire either an attorney or a reputable property management company.
How Can a Landlord Avoid Renting to Potential Holdover Tenants?
To protect yourself, it’s best to avoid renting to a potential holdover tenant altogether. The following are tips to help you in this regard:
- Have a solid lease agreement in place. Specify when the tenant’s lease term comes to an end. In addition to this, take it upon yourself to remind them at least 60 days before the expiry of their lease.
- Don’t accept rent payments after their lease has expired. Because, if you continue collecting rent, the tenancy could be seen as month-to-month moving forward. And at that point, you won’t be able to evict them based on them being trespassers.
- Renew the lease when it comes to an end. If the tenant hasn’t been difficult, you may want to consider renewing their lease. This can help you save time and money in advertising the unit, showing the unit, and screening tenants.
Bottom Line
You could find yourself having a holdover tenant situation at some point in your career. It’ll be in your best interest to know how best to handle the situation. If you have further questions or need help handling a holdover tenant situation, look to T-Square Properties.
We at T-Square Properties have over 25 years of property management experience. We can help you maximize your rental income thanks to our proven property management services!
Disclaimer: This blog article is for informational purposes. The information contained in this blog article may not be the official policies of T-Square Properties.
by admin | Nov 4, 2022 | Uncategorized
When a rental term ends, landlords must return the security deposit of a tenant. However, conflicts can materialize especially concerning the cleanliness of the rental property. What may be defined as reasonably clean for the tenant may not match the expectations of the property owner. This can be resolved by proper end-of-tenancy cleaning.
How is End of Tenancy Cleaning Defined?
Thorough cleaning at the end of the tenancy is required before a renter leaves the unit. This entails cleaning all parts of the rental from the furnishing and appliances to the floors and walls. The unit must in other words be placed back in its original state.
What is the Objective of End of Tenancy Cleaning?
The purpose of end-of-tenancy cleaning is to make sure that the condition of the rental place appears similar to the way it was before the occupancy of the renter. This can mean reverting back to the original state prior to changes due to unauthorized paint jobs and furniture damage.
If not, then the renter’s security deposit may be affected and won’t be returned in its full amount. If the unit isn’t properly cleaned, then landlords can also make a claim on the security deposit.
If a dispute arises between the property owner and tenant, then legal arbitrators may make the decision.
Cleanliness Level
When it comes to judging cleanliness, we all have different standards. Thus, conflicts can arise. However, renters are required to clean a property to match the state it was in prior to their residence. This is the required cleanliness level for end-of-tenancy cleaning.
If you’ve documented the state of the property by performing a property walkthrough for the move-in inspection, then it will be easy to do a comparison. The photos taken can be evidence of how a unit appears before a tenant’s stay. It can also be used by a renter to show professional cleaners the level of cleanliness they want to achieve. This ensures tenants can claim back the entire security deposit, provided that there is no property damage in sight.
Defining Normal Wear and Tear
Time passes and wear and tear results when your rental home is occupied. As a landlord, you can expect to see scratches on the floors, carpet stains, dull paint on walls, and sun-faded curtains.
But you can’t ask the tenants to pay for repair or replacement for furnishings that have undergone wear and tear. You can only deduct repair costs from their deposits if the damage occurred beyond wear and tear.
End of Tenancy Cleaning Inclusions
When a tenancy ends, the unit must be returned in an acceptable cleaned state. Tenants may consider hiring a cleaner but if they have time and want to save on the fees, they can also perform the cleaning task on their own.
An end-of-tenancy cleaning checklist is necessary to make sure that all the rental areas are covered. Landlords should also inspect the property to ensure it’s rent-ready and can welcome prospective tenants who scheduled property showings.
Before doing the rental cleanup, it’s essential to get your equipment in order. Have the following on hand:
Here are the main areas that should be cleaned:
Walls, Doors, and Ceilings
- Inspect the markings on the walls, then either do a cleanup or retouch with paint
- Wipe the light switches
- Wipe down the surfaces and handles of doors and windows, including the frames
- Clean mirrors for a polished surface
- Dust windowsills and window frames
Fixtures and Furnishings
- Dust the tops of closets, shelves, and cupboards
- Clean curtain rods, mirrors, and picture frames
- Dust off lampshades and light bulbs
- Vacuum the sofa
- Clean the clutter of inside drawers and cupboards
- Wipe the surfaces of desks and tables
Bathrooms
- Clean bathtubs and get rid of hard water stains
- Scrub and clean the toilet using a toilet brush, disinfectant, and rubber gloves
- Remove mold stuck to the tile grouts by using an old toothbrush
- Wipe the basin and taps with vinegar or lemon juice to make it shiny
Kitchens
- Use lemon juice or vinegar to clean the sink and kitchen taps
- Wipe the kitchen countertops
- Degrease the oven
- Get rid of the limescale from your kitchen sink
- Clean out the items inside your refrigerator
- Put disinfectant in trash cans once you empty them
- Brush the wall tiles with an old toothbrush to ensure that the dirt is removed
- Mop the kitchen floors
- Do a detailed cleaning of small appliances, such as blenders, toasters, and kettles
- Make sure the cutlery and dishware are clean and properly stored in the kitchen drawers
- Clean large appliances such as dishwashers and washing machines
Carpets
A dirty carpet can make a room less attractive. It’s also a common source of conflict for landlords and tenants. It’s best to keep them clean with a steam cleaning machine. You can either rent one or hire a professional cleaner to do the steam cleaning for you.
Keep it free from furniture temporarily to ensure that the entire carpet area will be steam-cleaned. This process eliminates plenty of stains and dirt. Do note that carpets must dry thoroughly to prevent bad odors since they can easily trap smells. This can take time so it’s best to do it as the final task.
Outside Areas
The first thing prospective tenants will see is the outside of the unit. Knowing this, you must enhance your curb appeal. Make sure that clutter in the outdoor areas is removed.
Schedule regular lawn maintenance and plant new grass. Rake leaves and remove weeds. With a clean rental home, inside and outside, advertising it to prospective renters will be a breeze.
Bottom Line
Cleaning the property at the end of a tenancy is a step that should not be overlooked. With this guide, you’ll be better able to keep your rentals clean so that the next tenant can fully enjoy the property.
Are you looking for a trusted property manager to advertise your rental home or help keep it well-maintained? Contact T-Square Properties today!
Disclaimer: This blog article is for informational purposes. The information contained in this blog article may not be the official policies of T-Square Properties.
