How to Prepare Your House for Rent

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Written By Juliet D'cruz

Are you thinking of renting out your house but unsure where to begin? Preparing your home for rent is crucial in attracting the right tenants and ensuring a smooth rental experience. Before you invite tenants to look at the property, you must prepare your house for rent. Carrying out small changes and minor work around the home can significantly drive up its rental value, which means you can make more money. 

This blog post will guide you through essential tasks to get your property rent-ready. We’ll cover all the necessary steps, from conducting inspections and making repairs to deep cleaning and staging. By following our expert tips, you’ll be well-prepared to showcase your house in its best light, maximizing its appeal and increasing your chances of finding reliable tenants. 

Finding Tenants

Before you start working on your house, it is important to have a plan for finding tenants. If you’re investing in the property, there has to be a reasonable likelihood of making suitable returns on the investment. You can take the conventional route and advertise your property online and on uellow pages. However, we recommend going one step further and hiring professionals to do it for you. For instance, Rentsavvy.co is one such company that handle tenant placement – finding tenants for the properties, from listing the property on multiple sites, to scheduling tours with licensed agents and preparing the paperwork. The licensed agents on this site aim to streamline the rental experience for landlords by taking care of time-consuming tasks, such as marketing the property, screening candidates, organizing showings, and more. 

Preparing your House

Once you have sorted the process to find tenants for your property, it is time to prepare it for rent. Here detailed are some ways you can prepare your house for rent:

  • Remove your Belongings

Your home may be impeccably decorated, but if you’re preparing to rent it out, try removing as many belongings as possible before showing it to potential tenants. The aesthetic of your home currently reflects you and your preferences. Therefore, potential tenants cannot gauge the space’s true potential. 

To allow potential tenants to imagine creating their space in the home, you need to remove some of your belongings so they can easily visualize the blank space.

  • A Fresh Coat of Paint

It is shocking how much of a difference a simple paint job can make to the face of a house. It is one of the most effective and cheapest ways to transform your home. Remove any wallpapers from your walls and take out all the nails and electric dockets. Now using a bright and crisp neutral shade, paint the interiors of your home. 

As for the exteriors, depending on the texture of your outer walls, carry out necessary touch-ups and repairs as required. These simple projects are vital to preparing your home for rent, giving it a brand-new feel. 

  • Focus on the Lighting

The light in a room greatly affects the overall aesthetic of the space. Hence, focusing on lighting can significantly enhance the appeal and functionality of a house, making it more attractive to potential renters.

Adequate lighting creates a welcoming and inviting ambiance. Potential renters will likely feel comfortable and at home in a well-lit space. Ensure ample lighting in common areas, such as the living room, dining room, and entryway, to create a positive first impression.

Besides, well-placed lighting fixtures can draw attention to the unique features of your house, such as architectural elements, artwork, or focal points. Use accent lightings, such as track lights or spotlights, to highlight these areas and create visual interest. 

Moreover, natural lighting has its own significance. Therefore, maximize natural light by keeping windows clean and unobstructed. Natural light not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of a space but also promotes a sense of well-being. Consider using sheer curtains or blinds that allow ample sunlight while maintaining privacy.

  • Change the Fittings

The bathroom and kitchen are two of the most important rooms to focus on while preparing your home for rent. Most people are sold when they come across a well-fitted bathroom and a renovated kitchen. A quick and easy way to update these rooms on a budget is to change the fittings. Swap out your taps for statement pieces and replace the handles, drawers, and cupboards with modern deco elements. 

We also recommend hiring professional cleaners to scrub the kitchen and bathrooms properly before the showings. The property’s cleanliness appeals to potential tenants, and the extra money will be worth it. 

  • Carry out Necessary Repairs

Tenants are generally looking for a move-in ready home and are immediately put off at the slightest sign of major repairs. Therefore, take care of any such problems in advance. Whether it’s seepage, cracked walls, broken molding, or a leaky roof, hire a professional to help eradicate the problem. You can also take the DIY route, but remember that the process can be quite draining physically and mentally. 

Once the repairs are done, touch up on the paint where required, and your property will almost be ready for showings!

  • Tidy up Outdoors

The external façade and landscape surrounding a house are just as important as its interiors. Therefore, tidy up the outdoor area as well before planning the showings. If you have a garden, mow the grass, trim the bushes, and pull out any weeds. Add plant pots outside your main door and along your porch’s sides. 

Similarly, if you have a garage, take some time to fix it up so your potential tenants can view a clean and organized space rather than a store room. 

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Conclusion

Preparing your house for rent can be a fun project. Not only do you get to finally take care of all the minor issues around the house, but you also get to see the true potential of your property. With the above-discussed points, you can ensure to add value, which will significantly affect its rental rate. So, without further ado, start preparing your home for rent by cleaning up your outdoors and repairing and painting the interiors.