You may be asking yourself – How do I prepare my unit for new occupants?
With our experience in managing properties, we know the importance of getting your property ready for new tenants after every turnover.
Focus on what’s critical – making the unit attractive and habitable. In most cases, minor repairs and thorough cleaning are all that’s needed. Other times, you may require larger renovations.
In the following paragraphs, we’ll cover all the essential tips for getting your Grand Prairie, Alberta property ready to rent.
#1: Check the appliances
Turnovers are the perfect time to check whether all the appliances work as needed.
Sometimes tenants won’t tell the landlord that an insignificant appliance has stopped working and simply discontinue using it. Here’s what you could do:
- See if the water heater works properly
- Check all the individual kitchen appliances; test different modes and settings
- Remove dust from the air vents and ensure they aren’t blocked
- Ask the previous tenants whether they faced any minor issues with an appliance
- Put a load of garments in the washing machine and place them in the dryer afterward
- Determine if all the remote controls in the home have enough battery power to work well
When you notice appliance damage, you should repair or replace accordingly.
#2: Inspect the property for mold
Mildew isn’t only an aesthetic issue; it can harm your health. Any mold growth can discourage many prospective tenants. Check the suspect places such as:
- Fixtures and tiles in the bathroom
- Laundry room surfaces
- Closets
- Any other places that are poorly ventilated and accumulate dust or moisture
Did you find any mold?
Hire a mold remediator company in serious cases to lower the risk of regrowth.
#3: Raise the curb appeal
First impressions matter. That’s why it’s vital to improve the property’s curb appeal. Take a look at how you can create a wonderful impression.
- Wash all the dust, dirt, and mildew off the outside of your property. You can do it by yourself or use professional cleaning services. The latter is more expensive, but they will complete the work much faster.
- Take care of the basics like cleaning the gutters, mowing the lawn, and trimming any trees and shrubs.
- Check the condition of the roof and replace any curled or missing shingles. Also, you could get a roof cleaning service. This removes the algae, lichens, and moss built up over the years.
- Inspect everything that wears out over time and make the necessary repairs. For example, reseal the fractured asphalt, replace cracked windows, and reattach sagging gutters.
#4: Ensure the HVAC system works properly
Inspect the HVAC system to make sure it’s running properly. Check for damage, accumulated dust, and sluggishness. Furthermore, get the HVAC system examined on a regular basis.
Solve all HVAC issues before signing a new rental agreement. In case of a sudden heatwave or blizzard, a working HVAC system is a key portion of meeting habitability standards.
#5: Buff the floors
Clean floors raise the appeal of your rental property. Regardless of having a laminate, hardwood, or tile flooring, you’ll benefit from getting it buffed. Instantly, the interior looks more attractive when the floors are extra shiny.
#6: Clean, deodorize, and disinfect the unit
You should clean the entire unit after every turnover. Focus on typically problematic areas, such as bathrooms and kitchens. Your new tenants want a sparkling clean space without surprises left by the former occupants.
- Disinfect all the bathroom and kitchen surfaces
- Vacuum or steam clean the carpets
- Use detergent against hardened grease in the kitchen
- Deodorize the unit to give it a fresh aroma
- Fumigate the rental space if there have been issues with pests
- Remove cob and spider webs, both inside and outdoors
#7: Assess the lighting situation
Confirm there are no issues with lighting. People get easily annoyed if lamps or other lighting fixtures stop working.
- Are there any broken light bulbs? Replace these without delay
- Wipe the light covers to remove dirt and debris
- Opt for sustainable bulbs that reduce electricity costs and need infrequent replacement
- Repair or replace all damaged and broken lighting fixtures
#8: Inspect and clean the windows
Natural light is similarly essential. Thoroughly clean the windows to let more light enter the unit. All the accrued dirt and grime darkens the glass or plastic window surface significantly.
If the window screens are unsuitable, replace them before scheduling any showings. While you’re already working the windows, try taking the blinds or curtains down. Scrub the blinds or machine wash the curtains otherwise, have them cleaned by professionals.
When people come to view your property, make sure there’s enough light in the rooms. Open all the curtains and turn on every light in the unit. During the darker season of the year, you could light some candles to make this space look brighter and cozier.
The bottom line: getting your property ready to rent
The period between having renters is ideally as close to the minimum as possible. There are many things you can do to reduce the amount of time your Grand Prairie rental property is vacant.
The most important is to make the unit attractive and habitable. In addition to essentials like cleaning and mold inspection, you could buff the floors, boost the curb appeal and check all the appliances. Following the listed tips raises the likelihood of quickly leasing your unoccupied units.
If any of this seems daunting to you, consider hiring a professional property management company in Alberta.