There are about 43.1 million active home rental units in the U.S. The rental business has been on the rise over the last couple of years as the rate of home ownership continues to decline.

The rising cost of home ownership gives landlords an upper hand at leveraging their rental property.

However, only properties with an excellent rent appeal attracts potential renters. The house has to be desirable and appealing to earn rent. This is the toughest part of the job for a landlord or property manager.

You have to make sure that the rental property is still attractive to new occupants after old tenants terminate their lease. This can be difficult if the previous occupants leave the house in a mess. It’s up to you to freshen up the rental and present it in flawless conditions to the next renter.

Below we discuss how to do just that.

1. Have the Messy Tenant Do the Cleaning

You cannot control the way a tenant treats your property, but you can at least have some ground rules. Make your tenants take responsibility for their messes by binding them to the lease agreement.

One way on how to do this is having the tenants make a refundable deposit before renting. A rental deposit is typically used to cover some minor repairs after the tenant leaves and any balance is refunded. The same deposit can also be used to clean up the house and prepare it for the next tenant.

Conduct a thorough inspection of the property once a tenant is ready to move out. Calculate the amount needed to clean up the place, then ask the tenant to pay for it.

You could even conduct regular inspections during the lease period to keep the tenants on their toes and avoid the last-minute rush.  By placing this responsibility on the tenant’s shoulders, many of them will naturally try to keep the property tidy during their stay.

2. Attend to the Kitchen and Bathroom

The kitchen and bathrooms are critical selling points for any rented house. Cleanliness is key here. Ensure these rooms are spotless, from the floors, walls, tiles, sinks, and faucets.

In the bathroom, scrub and polish all the ceramic and stainless-steel surfaces; that includes the showerheads, bathtub, and the toilet. Replace stained shower curtains, toilets seats, and rusty towel rails. The mirrors and other reflective surfaces must be free of oily and splash stains.

The kitchen needs work as well. Clean the cabinets and polish the surfaces, including the sink, faucets, and kitchen appliances such as the fridge, microwave, and oven.

It is also essential to make sure that there are no leaks or foul smells coming from the plumbing systems in the kitchen and bathroom.

3. Run Some Basic Maintenance and Repairs

Hire a house inspector to examine the condition of the house and address any health and safety concerns. The inspector will look and the structure of the house, electrical and plumbing systems, and the fittings. The inspection report should point out the areas that need repairs and touchups.

Some repairs such as broken windows and leaking taps don’t need an inspector’s eye to identify. You can get started on those right away.

Most repairs include replacing broken fixtures, filling holes in the walls, fixing locks, and retouching the plumbing system. This is also a good time to replace any ruined items such as furniture, tiles, and floorboards.

Once the house is back to its former glory, run another inspection to acquire a certificate of occupancy. This certificate confirms to the tenants that your property is ready for occupancy.

4. Clean the Blinds and Carpets

Carpets, drapes, blinds, and curtains are collection points for dust and even pests such as dust mites. They are seldom cleaned thoroughly, and never appear dirty at a glance.

It’s quite difficult to clean carpets and drapes by yourself. Hire a professional cleaner to get the job done efficiently. Most cleaners use heavy duty steam cleaners to get all the dust and stains out and also sanitize the fabric.

You can hang up the drapes back on the windows after they are cleaned and dry. But, it’s advisable to roll up the carpets and store them away until the next tenant arrives.

Remember to replace any worn out or permanently stained carpets, blinds, and drapes.

4. Consider Repainting

A fresh coat of paint works wonders at reviving old walls and brightening up an old house. A few cans of paint may be all you need to make your house look and feel new again. Creative use of the paintbrush could even reveal and highlight unique architectural features.

Go for semi-gloss or satin paints for the walls. They create an easy-to-clean surface without using any additional solvents.

Combine different shades to bring out the features of the house and complement the various schemes of interior lighting.

Stick to only neutral colors like cream, grey, and beige. Vibrant colors like lime green, light purple, or hot pink may make the house look modern and cool, but not everyone will share the same opinion. Besides, you can always ask the new tenant which colors work for them.

5. Don’t Forget of the exterior

The appeal of the exterior of the house is as important as that of the interior. It gives visitors the first impression of the house. If the curb appeal is not attractive, prospective tenants may not look inside.

Run some essential outdoor maintenance and repairs. A good place to start is with a fresh coat of paint. Make sure to go for a paint that can withstand the elements and a color that blends with the landscape and house design.

Maintain and clean the lawn, the porch, driveway, and any exterior décor.

Create a Lasting Rent Appeal

Managing a rental property and maintaining its rent appeal is a difficult challenge. Houses grow old and are often abused by unsavory tenants. Some tenants can even bring down the value of a property.

This is why it’s crucial to follow up and revamp a house after a tenant vacates.

Invest your time and resources in maintaining your rental value. Make your tenants responsible and accountable for their actions, and don’t be afraid to assert your interests and to evict non-compliant tenants. It is your duty to ensure that the property is used appropriately.

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