June 23, 2015

Which Items should you Make sure your Rental Property has?

checklist

You’ve probably worked hard to maintain a rental property with clean floors, freshly-painted walls and appliances in good working order. When it passes from one tenant to the next, the landlord hopes that the tenant will keep everything in good running order. Part of that expectation means that you as the landlord may want to provide some specific tools to help keep the property in top-notch quality.

Providing items like the lawn mower, fire extinguisher and a plunger doesn’t mean you are giving away free gifts to your tenant; you’re encouraging the tenant to use these tools to keep your property in working order. In addition, your tenant won’t feel frustrated at having to provide their own tools and be less likely to get tasks done that keep your property in good order. Here is a look at what you should provide your tenants.

Lawn Mower

Consider providing the lawn mower that your tenant needs to maintain the yard. This is especially important in those leases that show that the tenant is responsible for yard work. Single family homes or any other property with a yard in which the tenant agreed to do light yard work should have a mower provided. It’s too big of a purchase for a tenant to feel the need to provide for the property. Make sure it has sharp blades, it’s tuned up each year and there is nothing wrong with it preventing the work to be done.

Fire Extinguisher

A safety tool that should be in all rental properties is a fire extinguisher. It can help with an accidental kitchen fire, Christmas tree lights, candles or curling irons. Keep this in the pantry or under the sink for your tenant to easily reach.

Plunger

While many tenants may already own one, it’s smart to have a plunger ready to go for your tenant. Overflowing water can be dangerous to your property and it’s better to have something than nothing.

Be sure to also provide a rechargeable flashlight for power outages, a snow shovel with salt for the winter and an emergency call list like electricians and plumbers that can come out if an issue comes up. These items should keep your tenant safe, your property safe and easy everyone’s minds.