Flip'n a rental house is one of the more stressful jobs of a landlord.
Every day that a unit sits vacant is money down the drain. Plus when the previous tenant skips out on cleaning, that clock starts ticking at lightning speed. The best part? You can prep your rental to be rent-ready almost instantly with these tips.
Getting your property ready for the next tenant helps you to:
- Fill the unit faster
- Attract better quality renters
- Avoid disputes down the road
- Protect your rental income
Here's how to do it properly…
Inside this guide:
- Why Turnover Prep Matters
- Cleaning & Junk Removal
- Repairs & Inspections
- Legal & Safety Checks
- Marketing The Property
Why Turnover Prep Matters
Turnover is expensive. Really expensive.
Tenant turnover costs $1,795 per month, per unit. That is SO MUCH MONEY if you aren't efficient. And remember that does not include cleaning/repairs/delayed rent from vacancy.
Here's the thing:
Most landlords try to hurry the turnover process. They're anxious to rent the unit, so they skimp on cleaning. They overlook minor repairs and hope the tenant won't care. Wrong answer.
Cutting corners means:
- You attract lower-quality tenants
- Small issues turn into big complaints
- Move-in disputes become move-out disputes
- Your reputation as a landlord takes a hit
Properties that rent fast (to great tenants) are ones that visually show well day one. That begins with thorough turnover prep.
OK, here's another way to look at it. One week now can prevent you months of frustration later.
Cleaning & Junk Removal
The number one thing new tenants notice? Cleanliness.
Got junk left over, stained carpets, dirty bathrooms? Move-ons. Tenants will leave before they even set foot in your rental. Plus they will think your property is sloppy everywhere. Bad tenant impression.
Believe it or not most owners drastically underestimate the amount of junk previous tenants leave behind. From old furniture to damaged appliances, trash bags full of junk, mattresses you name it. Professional property cleanouts specialize in just that.
Here's why hiring a cleanout crew makes sense:
When you absolutely have to clean out your Chicago property, having an efficient cleanout crew really comes in handy. They take care of lifting furniture, appliances, garbage, and whatever else your tenant left behind. Junk removal services are much quicker than trying to do it on your own. Property cleanouts will save you time, save your back and allow you to deep clean the property sooner.
Once the junk is gone, focus on:
- Deep cleaning carpets and floors
- Scrubbing bathrooms top to bottom
- Wiping down every kitchen surface
- Cleaning inside all the appliances
- Washing windows and blinds
Also pay attention to the little things. Light switches, baseboards, door handles - tenants take notice of these during showings. A clean unit lets them know that you care about your property and are a serious landlord.
Repairs & Inspections
Every turnover provides an opportunity to identify small issues before they become costly.
Take a checklist tour of the property. Inspect walls, floors, ceilings, plumbing fixtures, appliances, outlets, etc. Whatever was broken (or wore out) by the previous tenant should be repaired prior to the next tenant moving in.
Common items to check:
- Leaky faucets or running toilets
- Damaged walls or holes needing patching
- Worn carpet or flooring
- Broken blinds or window screens
- Loose door hinges or handles
- HVAC filters and function
- Smoke and CO detectors
Don't forget paint either. A clean coat of neutral paint can make any space feel brighter, cleaner and more welcoming. It's one of the least expensive upgrades you can make with the largest impact.
Broken? Fix it now. You'll only spend more money waiting for the next tenant to complain (tenant retention will suffer too).
Performing a pre-move-in inspection also provides you with an excellent baseline for comparison when the tenant finally moves out. This will serve you well with security deposit disputes later.
Legal & Safety Checks
This is the section most landlords skim over... Because this section can cause big problems for you.
Every state and municipality has different laws regarding rental properties. Whether it be smoke detectors or lead paint disclosures, if you skip one you could be fined or sued. Make sure you look up what your state and city requires before that new tenant signs.
Basic safety items to verify:
- Working smoke detectors on every floor
- Carbon monoxide detectors near sleeping areas
- Fire extinguisher (where required)
- Secure locks on all doors and windows
- Proper handrails on stairways
- GFCI outlets in kitchens and bathrooms
The property should also meet standards of habitability. This means functional plumbing, heating, hot water, and electricity. Cutting corners on any of these can endanger your tenants and leave you liable.
Photograph everything prior to move-in as well. That way if something comes up later you have documentation.
Marketing The Property
With the rental cleaned, repaired and safety inspected, now it's time to market it to renters.
The quicker you fill your unit, the less rental income you forfeit. Average lease turnovers clock in around 34.4 days – thats over one month of lost rent for most owners. That's a hefty chunk to down-swallow if it's avoidable.
To speed up the leasing process:
- Take high-quality photos in good lighting
- Write a detailed, honest listing
- List on multiple rental platforms
- Set a competitive price for your market
- Respond to inquiries fast
Price is important as well. Pricing your unit $50 to $100 too high above market will cost you weeks of vacancy. That extra money you want in rent will cost you (and more) in lost rent.
Flexibility with showings also proves beneficial. The easier you make it for prospects to see the property, the quicker you'll locate a qualified tenant ready to sign on the dotted line.
Bringing It All Together
Turnkeying a property for incoming tenants is real work – but it's worth it every time.
The owners who take turnover seriously get:
- Better tenants
- Faster lease-ups
- Fewer disputes
- Higher rental income
- Longer tenancies
Cutting corners seems like it will save you time, but it will never pay off. Take that additional week to clean things right, repair what is damaged and make that unit sparkle.
Show prepared properties to prepared tenants. That's how you create a profitable rental business.
