When you welcome a tenant into your rental property, you’re opening the door to what they will consider their new home. The more that they consider it theirs, the longer they’re likely to stay and respect the location, and the better they’ll treat it. Unfortunately, you cannot force the feeling of home, and it’s not something you can manufacture or tailor per each tenant.
What you can do is aid in its creation. Letting a resident yank out their hammer or electric drill can be intimidating, even worrisome, but sometimes it’s worth it in the long run. Just don’t break the dishwasher, please?
1. Paint Job
Yes, that first coat of traditional gray or white paint was perfect while you were giving tours and welcoming guests to check out your sweet pad, but it’s not everyone’s favorite shade. Maybe they want golden rod, or a purple accent wall in the bedroom to match their fancy duvet. Yes, yes, letting them whack out a paint roller means they might spill onto the flooring or mess up the molding. But a neat layer of paint or wallpaper is an immediate change to a more personal, homely feel and if it’s your policy to repaint units after every vacancy, then what’s one more wall?
2. Kitchen Upgrades
The heart of a family is the dinner table and linked, the kitchen. With so much of our energy focused on meal planning and prepping, an updated kitchen is well worth the bang for its buck. People love new appliances. A personalized kitchen isn’t just fun but having an updated sink helps a kitchen feel cleaner and healthier, as they’re not imagining what possible atrocities may have happened with countless previous tenants. When you’re interviewing rental applicants, allow them to choose between using their own appliances or the ones you currently provide (if provided). Giving your future tenants more options will not only start your tenancy off on the right foot, but make your tenants feel more invested.
3. Camera/Modern Doorbell
The apps are rolling in with new camera aided doorbells. The installation and devices are a pretty penny and may leave behind holes in the exterior paneling, which may leave landlords some worry. However, it cannot be denied that camera aided doorbells give people a sense of security and control. People like being able to instruct delivery drivers to leave behind packages even if they’re busy at work. There is a feeling of safety knowing that they can record those who intrude on their lawn or doorstep, leaving behind enough evidence to turn over. The tiny holes left behind from an installation is minuscule when it compares to helping your tenants feel safe and secure, and there are plenty of non-invasive options available on the market.
4. Bathroom Renovations
Similar to the kitchen, a lot of time is spent in the bathroom. One thing a lot of people forget when it comes to renovating the bathroom is that not all of it is in the name of beauty or aesthetic. The tail end of all health issues come to meet right at the base of the porcelain god. This cannot be denied. When it comes to renovating the bathroom, some tenants may not discuss the fact the changes they want to make are more out of necessity rather than ooh, pretty. This can vary from getting a bench built in the shower because the folding chair they’ve been using isn’t cutting it anymore, or an installed toilet paper holder because their hands shake too much and knock over the standing one they’ve had for a while. Perhaps they need a new toilet seat with cushioning. Many tenants may not want to verbally admit that the state of their health has changed, especially if they’re not emotionally close to you.
For many property owners, inviting in a tenant comes with the idea that they should leave the place the same way they found it. The walls some time older, the floor perhaps a bit worn, but the same, nonetheless. Something so stiff doesn’t feel like home. It may be difficult to listen to the hammering and the drilling, but if it means your tenants stick around for the long haul, it may be worth it.
Do you have renovation stories to share? Let us know in the comments!
