Upfitting Rental Properties

 
 

Upfitting Rental Properties: 

  • Smoke detectors in every bedroom and in hallway outside sleeping areas

  • Fire extinguisher in the kitchen and/or laundry room

  • Clearly visible house numbers at mailbox and/or front entry

  • Shower heads with handheld sprayers for ease of cleaning

  • One key to operate all doors

  • 12 mos HVAC filters

  • Blinds OR curtain rods on every bedroom/living room window

  • Change out any carpet with LVP (ask installers to leave extra and store it offsite)

  • Good quality, washable wall/trim paint (ask painters to leave touch-up paint and store it offsite)

  • Seal crawl space from rodents

  • Check ceiling fans for operation (do not buy fans that can only be operated with remotes). Gretta says this style is easy to clean and doesn’t get bugs in the light cover (though it’s remote operated).

  • Check garage door for operation (remotes? code for keypad?)

  • Change out ceiling lights to LED flushmount with color control

  • Change out exterior carriage lights to non-metal, all matching (NOT motion sensing)

  • Take photos of all appliance model/serial numbers

  • Select one finish for bathrooms (chrome or brushed nickel) and start changing out hardware

  • Select one finish for kitchen (white, black, stainless) and start changing out appliances

  • Get a lockbox!

Between tenants: 

  • Light bulbs

  • Assess all faucets and light fixtures for possible updates

  • Recaulk tub/showers and around bathroom counters if necessary

  • Check blinds for operation

  • Have plumber check all toilets, faucets, and sinks for leaks

  • HVAC tune up

  • Pressure wash

  • Landscape cleanup

  • Change batteries in smoke detectors

  • Landscape refresh with pinestraw

  • Pressure washing if it’s in spring

  • Pest control hot spot treatment on the inside of the house

  • Deep clean

  • Treat sink garbage disposer with a cleaning packet

  • Clean HVAC return covers

  • Clean all fan blades, blinds and baseboards

  • Clean out dryer exhaust (Gretta has a tool)

  • Run vinegar/lemon Kool Aid through dishwasher

  • Run a load of vinegar through washing machine

  • Pull out appliances to clean under/behind (give Gretta sliders to protect floor)

 
 

Start scheduling work as soon as you get notice a tenant is leaving.  If you schedule 30-days out, you can turn all vendors/work quickly to reduce vacancy. 

Do as much preventative maintenance work as possible between tenants so you don’t have to coordinate schedules during occupancy. 

 
 
Real EstateDede WarrenThe Dede & B.V. Team