Learn what you can do to get your property in Berkeley CA leased quickly and what safety regulations you will need to meet upon owning a rental property in the area.
Make sure you have a means to get the word out to advertise your rental. If you are a self-managing landlord and don’t have a property manager taking care of this for you, you can get the word out on sites like Craigslist, Zillow, Trulia, and Hotpads.
You want the place to look attractive, so taking quality photos when the property is in pristine condition is key. Take several photos in each room from multiple views so they can get a good sense of the home. Highlight the best features of the home.
A property that is priced right will have less days on market. If you want to find out what your property is worth, we offer a FREE rental analysis.
Include a way for the interested parties to get in touch with you about your property.
If you painted the interior, it might have that new paint smell. If you still think it smells musty because it has been closed up for some time, you can:
Let the sunshine in. You don’t want to show a dark house. Make sure the blinds are open to make it bright and inviting.
Learn when the peak of rental season is and try to time your leases around that. You can typically get the best rent during peak season.
If you must lease a property during the slower seasons, you may need to offer some concessions to help make your property more attractive. If you do end up with an expired lease in December and prefer to get your lease on a summer cycle, think about offering a deal on an 18 month lease that gets you on track for the lease renewal to be during the peak leasing season.
After you are able to lease your rental property, you will want to make sure you are meeting local laws. What safety regulations to need to adhere to?
There are rules and regulations that you, the property owner, must comply with when it comes to fixing things that are broken. If you have an A/C unit or water heater that isn’t working, it is important to know what the time limits are to respond to these types of maintenance issues. There are rules and regulations on what you must do as a property owner to maintain the Berkeley property in a habitable condition.
Make sure they are up to date and operational and that you have enough of them based on the size of your home.
Check all the fire extinguishers to make sure they haven’t expired. Replace them if needed. Place them in areas in the home with a fire risk like the kitchen, near a fireplace, the garage, or handy to any BBQ areas.
Are you providing secure housing? Do the deadbolt locks work properly?
Make sure your outdoor lighting works. Not only does this provide a safe path to the home it also offers enhanced security. Burglars don’t want a light exposing them, so outside lights can be a crime deterrent.
Dryer vents can become clogged over time and pose a fire risk. Hiring a Dryer Vent Cleaning service to clean the duct is relatively inexpensive.
Check your wall outlets that the are working and the cover panels are secure.
If you have a fireplace that is frequently used, you will want a chimney sweep to clean it regularly. A clogged chimney increases the risk of a chimney fire.
Check that all heating elements on the stove are working. Does the refrigerator seem to be cooling properly? Does the dishwasher work?
Check the hot water heater’s temperature. It should be set below 120 degrees to prevent scalding.
HVAC system, plumbing, and electrical systems should be working and serviced if needed.
Make sure all railing and walkways are secure with no loose sections to prevent someone from falling. Inspect the roof for any loose shingles or leaks that you can take care of before they get worse.
Making sure the home is safe protects your tenants and your property. Have a home in great condition sets the bar for your tenant to return it in the same condition.
City websites and city inspectors will have the local safety codes you are expected to follow. As a property owner you must comply with the laws that require you supply a tenant with a safe property. Not having time or now knowing the law isn’t an excuse. If you are a self-managing landlord with limited time, it might be a good idea to hire an experienced Berkley property management company to help you with getting your rental ready for leasing.
If you are looking to purchase an investment property in Berkley CA, have questions about local regulations and laws, or would like to speak to Mynd Property Management about managing a property, contact our Berkley property manager today.
