Whether you’re a first-time housing provider or have been self-managing for years, it’s always wise to have a checklist before listing your property on the market. With experience preparing over 1,000 properties for listing, we’ve identified several key items that every property owner should include on their checklist to ensure they attract the best tenants and achieve the highest rent.
Table of Contents
Start by Walking the Property
Whether this is your first time renting out your property or you’re getting it ready after a move-out, the first step is to walk through it.
To make sure your property is in its best condition, it’s helpful to walk through the property as if you were a potential tenant. Try looking at the space through the eyes of someone who wants to live there and see if there are ways to make it more appealing from their perspective.
Notice the little things that might stand out to applicants, like a chip in the fireplace, weak water pressure, or mismatched light bulbs. These small details might seem minor, but they could impact a renter’s decision to apply. Here are a few more things to check during your walk-through:
- Look at every outlet you pass
- Test each set of blinds
- Ensure windows still lock and open smoothly
- Check that screens have no small holes and are in place
- Check for small window cracks
- Ensure there are no large scratches on the walls or floors
- Turn on faucets to check for leaks under each sink
Be sure to bring a pen and paper—or your phone’s notes app—with you to keep a list of everything you notice. After your walk-through, you can reference your notes to ensure all the repairs are completed and issues are dealt with.
Create Curb Appeal
It’s true what they say—you only get one chance to make a first impression.
When potential tenants arrive at your rental property, you want to wow them with a beautiful exterior. With the right curb appeal, you can have people fall in love with your property before they’ve even set foot in it.
Investing in exterior improvements can boost your property’s visual appeal and help create a lasting impression that potential tenants will take with them when they leave.
There are a variety of things you can do to improve your property’s curb appeal. Some are small, and others require a bigger time commitment and financial investment. Choose the methods best suited for your property:
- Pressure washing the driveway, walkway, or entryway is a great way to spruce up the front of your home. Depending on its condition, you can even consider resealing it.
- Spend some time landscaping—cut the grass, plant a small garden, or weed an existing garden.
- Painting the exterior of the home.
- Replacing old hardware on the front of the property—from door handles to light fixtures to house numbers, and modernizing the property’s hardware can make a significant difference.
- Painting or replacing the front door is a great way to create a focal point.
- Add decorative elements like lanterns, flowerpots, or a seasonal wreath to the front of the home.
Complete the Cosmetic Upgrades
While it may not always be necessary, giving your property a glow-up will help make the best possible first impression on prospective renters. Depending on the state of the property, when you start to get it ready, you may need to give it a fresh coat of paint or patch a few holes or cracks in the walls.
We’ll be the first to say that doing paint “touch-ups” rarely works—you end up with patchy walls instead of a lovely, even paint job across the entire property. Here are seven cosmetic upgrades that make your property more appealing and help get it rent-ready:
- Add a fresh coat of paint to all walls.
- Patch holes, cracks, and other minor wall imperfections.
- Polishing or refinishing hardwood floors.
- Upgrade your light fixtures and replace all light bulbs.
- Wash window treatments.
- Upgrade the hardware on the cabinetry.
- Add in tech upgrades like a doorbell camera or a smart thermostat.
Test All Systems and Fixtures
While improving the property’s aesthetics is a great start, it’s equally important to ensure that all of the systems and fixtures are working properly. Ensure that all equipment, appliances, and features have been serviced and are functional before moving in new tenants.
Ensure that all systems and fixtures are thoroughly tested and maintained. This includes:
- AC units
- Water heater
- Appliances
- Oven
- Stove
- Refrigerator
- Dishwasher
- Washer and dryer
- Microwave
- Range hood
- Any other appliances in the property
- Faucets
- Ceiling fans
- Light switches
- Outlets
- Kitchen cabinets
- Closet door(s)
- Garage door(s)
Tenants often test these items immediately upon moving in to avoid potential deductions from their security deposit. By proactively addressing any maintenance issues beforehand, you can prevent the hassle of arranging repairs and vendor visits shortly after the move-in.
Take Time to Consider Safety Issues
Everyone wants to feel safe in their home, whether they rent or own. Before you welcome new tenants, it’s important to consider the safety precautions at your rental property. Change the locks on the doors, test the smoke detectors, and ensure the fire extinguishers are fully operational.
But there are other things you should think through when it comes to safeguarding your tenants against harm.
- As mentioned, change the locks between tenants to make old keys redundant.
- Add or test deadbolts on exterior doors.
- Ensure all entry and exit ways have proper lighting to prevent tripping or potential accidents.
- Test smoke, carbon monoxide, and any other detectors on the property and replace batteries if necessary.
- Establish a clear escape route.
- Ensure all fire extinguishers are filled and functional.
- Ensure all fire sprinkler systems are operational.
- Check that all window locks are functioning properly.
Clean the Property from Top to Bottom
Before showing your property, it must go through a thorough deep cleaning. Proper cleaning can help remove potential allergens and leave the interiors feeling and looking fresh. Pay attention to kitchens, bathrooms, and toilets, as they’re prone to grease, soap scum, and dirt accumulation.
Make sure to:
- Clean all surfaces: Dust furniture, disinfect surfaces, wipe down walls, clean bathrooms, remove cobwebs, vacuum thoroughly, mop hard surface floors, and have all carpets professionally cleaned.
- Wash windows and windowsills: Get rid of any accumulated dirt from panes, sills, and screens.
- Clear out all storage spaces: Sweep and mop the floors in all closets, cabinets, and other storage spaces. Remove any leftover items from former tenants and vacuum out all drawers and cabinets.
- Deep clean the kitchen and bathroom: Clean the fridge, microwave, oven, stove, and dishwasher. Disinfect sinks, showers, and toilets, wiping down all cabinets and drawers.
- Refresh the laundry space: Show the washer and dryer a bit of extra love by running a disinfecting cycle before your tenants move in.
- Check for mold: As you’re cleaning, look for mold. Examine basements, attics, bathrooms, and anywhere else that might experience moisture. If mold is found, consult a professional.
Take the cleaning process seriously—get to every nook and cranny of the property to ensure it’s squeaky clean, giving your new tenants a fresh start.
Get Your Paperwork in Order
From writing a rental listing to issuing rent increase notices to creating tenant screening criteria, renting out your property comes with a lot of paperwork, processes, and procedures.
Establish guidelines and processes to protect owner and tenant rights under California law before tenants move into your rental property.
Let’s dig into a few of the essential processes you need to consider.
Create a rental listing
Writing the perfect rental listing is essential to get your property rented quickly. A great rental listing is crucial to securing good tenants and lowering your vacancy costs.
As you begin crafting your listing, be sure to include:
- An accurate description of the property. Include the number of bedrooms/bathrooms, square footage, and amenities like storage, appliances, etc.
- High-quality photos of your property.
- A 3D tour or a video tour of your property.
- Monthly rent + deposit amounts.
- Terms and length of the lease.
- Rental criteria should be clearly stated (i.e.) rules surrounding pets, smoking, and subletting.
- An FAQ section that summarizes the listing.
- Contact information for the listing agent, landlord, or property manager.
Prepare a rental application
When you start looking for new tenants, you’ll need to have a rental application. This is a form potential renters fill out to express their interest in renting your property. Before creating your application criteria, review California Civil Code 12955 to ensure your criteria comply.
Your application should cover the following:
- Applicant identifying information: Full legal name, contact information, driver’s license, date of birth, etc.
- Rental history: Previous addresses, landlord contacts, dates of tenancy.
- Income verification: Employer name, position, salary, and pay stubs.
- Background/Criminal records check consent: You must also obtain consent from the applicant to run a background and criminal records check.
- References: Names and contact information for personal and professional references.
Establish tenant screening processes
The tenant screening process is essential for finding occupants for your rental property. It must also be established and documented. All applicants must be screened uniformly to ensure there is no discrimination during the screening process.
Include the following steps in your tenant screening process:
- Conduct a background and criminal record check: Run a Google search and a police records check. Remember, you can only request a criminal records check in California for the past seven years.
- Run a detailed credit check: Use a credit-checking service approved by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).
- Verify income and employment: Verify their employment and income by requesting a recent pay stub and several months of bank statements and contacting the employer if needed.
- Review their rental history: Understanding a tenant’s rental history can help you learn more about what kind of tenant they are.
- Check the references provided. Be sure to speak with previous landlords, as they can provide insight into the applicants’ behavior as tenants.
- Interview the tenants: Once you’ve completed all of the above steps and are satisfied with the results, it’s time to set up an interview with your tenant-applicant.
Learn more about the tenant screening process in Orange County with our comprehensive guide.
Generate a lease agreement
A strong lease agreement should include policies, payments, and other guidelines applicable to the landlord-tenant relationship. Your lease agreement package should consist of the following:
- Lease agreement: Your lease agreement should have the lease duration, monthly rent, deposit, renewal options, smoking and pet policies, sublet terms, and number of permitted occupants.
- Move-in inspection form: This form documents the property’s pre-existing condition, including any damage or defects. Download your free Move-in/Move-out Checklist here.
- Maintenance addendums: This should cover repair request processes, access rights to perform repairs, and payment terms for damage caused by tenants.
- Mold and lead-based paint disclosures: Provide a written notice of any potential property hazard to occupants (if applicable).
The California Association of Realtors has a library with several resources for drafting lease agreements that contain up-to-date information about the legal rights of housing providers and tenants.
Organize and store all documentation
Whatever activities you conduct when leasing your rental property should be meticulously recorded. Thorough record-keeping can protect you against legal disputes should issues arise in the future.
Now That Your Property’s Rent-Ready, Let Us Take the Stress Out of Managing it
At Good Life Property Management, we believe life should be enjoyed, not spent sweating the small stuff like rental history check and income verification. That’s why we set out to make property management easy. We care about you, your property, and your tenant. And we do it all so you can Live the Good Life.
Schedule a call to speak with one of our Good Life experts.
Getting Your Property Rent Ready FAQs
Do I have to remodel my property to make it a rental?
It is not a requirement to remodel your property to make it a rental. While some properties require work to make them livable, remodeling your property is a personal choice.
What percentage of people rent in Orange County, California?
Renters make up 44% of all California households. In Orange County, 97% of rental properties are occupied; for every rental on the market, there are 16 prospective renters.
Do you need a license to rent out a property in California?
You do not need to have a license to rent out your property in California. Property managers are required to be licensed to operate in California.
Steve Welty
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