How to Get a Jump Start on Your Summer To-Do List

By Alyssa Laffitte on June 2, 2018

If you are a property owner seeking to rent to students, summer is a great time to prepare your property for the influx of students who will rent it in the fall. Since the students are away, summer is the perfect opportunity to fix anything broken, to clean it, and to make it presentable. Here are some things you can do to prepare your property for the fall.

Image via Isorepublic.com

Fix Any Plumbing Problems

A functioning plumbing system is the most important thing in a property, so it is the first thing that should be checked. Are any of the pipes cracked or broken in any way? Are any faucets leaking? Are the shower heads leaking? Are the toilets flushing? These are things you need to look out for before you rent your property. If you encounter a problem with any part of the plumbing system, contact a plumber. Remember: it is extremely important that your property has a working plumbing system before the students move in, so take care of it as soon as possible.

Fix Any Air Conditioning or Heating Problems

It is imperative for your property to have functioning air conditioning or heating. Your tenant will not appreciate a broken air conditioning system in the middle of a Florida summer, or a broken heating system in the middle of a Maine winter. Before these heavy weather seasons, be sure to check for any problems in these systems and fix them.

Improve the Landscaping

Landscaping makes your property much more attractive to potential tenants. A property with unkempt landscaping can be off-putting to potential tenants; don’t let that be your property. Tenants would be more interested in renting a property if it looks pretty. Make sure the grass has been cut and that the driveway is clean. It would also be a good idea to plant some colorful plants and flowers, as this will make your property livelier. It’s worth investing in the landscape of your property, as it will make tenants want to see it.

Take Care of Cosmetics

On the same note, it’s important to make the inside of your property pretty, too. Just as you clean up the outside, you should clean up the inside, because again, tenants want to rent a pretty and clean property. They will not be interested in a property that is pretty on the outside, but dirty on the inside. It’s a good idea to do a heavy cleaning of the inside of the property, especially if it has been abandoned or hasn’t been cleaned in a while. Painting the walls and the baseboards would also be a good idea.

Make Sure Your Contracts are up to date

When you’re an experienced landlord, it’s easy to just use the same contract you used for the previous tenant. This is convenient, because you just have to revise some minor details (like the dates and the new tenant’s name). However, recycling old contracts isn’t always the best idea. The contract you used with the previous tenant could be out of date by now, as the laws change often and quickly. You must make sure that the contract you use with the new tenants in August is up to date and adhering to the current laws. If you have any doubts about this, talk to a lawyer.

Take Care of Any Maintenance Tasks You Have Previously Put Off

If you’ve put off any maintenance tasks in the past, now is the time to do them. If you know that something is broken but you haven’t had time to fix it, make the time now. A potential tenant would not want to rent a property where something is broken. Especially if you have not visited the property in a while, it would be a good idea to do an overall check of the entire place just to make sure things are running as they should be. Be sure to get these things done before the students start school!

Stage Your Property

Have you ever watched one of those “house staging” shows? If you have, it’s time to put that knowledge to good use! Make sure your place looks livable and clean. If a potential tenant can see themselves living there, they will be more likely to put in an offer. A property that is “staged” well will attract more potential renters, so try your best to “stage” your property. Make sure it is photogenic, too, as you might want to list it online!

The fall semester is approaching quickly. If you are a property owner who wants to rent to students, the summer months are a good time to prepare your property for the students who will want to rent it in August. If you do the things I mentioned, a student would love to rent your property.

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