Category Archives: repairs

4 Renovations to Consider Before Move-In

March 6, 2023amenities, property management, repairs, tenant transitions, unit ownerssperling

So a long-term tenant has moved out of your property and you’re getting ready to show potential new tenants. As you do your walkthrough, a thought strikes you; this place could use an update.

It doesn’t matter if the property is a house, condo, or apartment; it’s simply easier to make major renovations when a property is empty. No one is inconvenienced and you can take as much time as necessary to get it done properly. Even better, the improvements will attract more tenants who will be drawn to upgraded features.

Put in New Floors

There is literally no better time to install new flooring than when a house, condo, or apartment is empty. There will be no personal belongings or furniture to move or store, and the tenant won’t have to stay at a hotel for a few days to a few weeks. It’s also a great way to give the property a fresh start, as floor wear and tear is common but not always easily fixed.

You can make the call on whether you want to install new floorboards or carpet. Carpet can provide insulation for your tenants but can be harder to clean and limit decorating options. Meanwhile hardwood or linoleum floors can get scratched up by furniture but it’s easier to sweep up dirt and mop up spills.

A Fresh Coat of Paint

Freshly-painted walls can really brighten up a room. If you have a room that’s smaller or doesn’t get much natural light, the right color can make it appear larger and brighter, and thus more attractive to potential renters. But no tenant wants to have their walls painted while they’re living there. It’s messy, they’ll have to move their belongings out of the way, cover their furniture and rugs with plastic, and of course live with the smell until the paint fully dries.

This isn’t just limited to the interior. A fresh coat of paint on the outside of the building can vastly improve its curb appeal.

Install New Windows

With the rising cost of heat in Massachusetts, both you and your tenants would much rather not have to worry about a massive utility bill due to drafty windows. Inefficient windows can lose up to 30% of your home’s energy. That’s why it’s important to inspect your windows and, if necessary, get them updated or replaced. These renovations will also benefit you and your tenants in the summer as good windows will keep the cool air in, meaning fans and air conditioners won’t be sending the electricity bills up either.

Make Electrical Upgrades

If you’re renting out an older property, it is essential that you get your wiring regularly inspected. This is easiest to do when you have easy access to walls and can rip them open if necessary. This could very well save a life, as you’ll have peace of mind that an electrical fire isn’t waiting to happen.

Also, with our dependence on technology, from kitchen appliances to computers to phones, it’s important to go in and ensure there are enough wall outlets to appeal to new tenants. If it feels like there aren’t enough, call up an electrician to install more.

The time to act is now, so don’t wait until it’s too late! Get these renovations done before showing the property off to new tenants. Your future renters and your wallet will thank you.

Prepping Your Rental for a Smooth Turnover

February 2, 2022association living, moving, property management, repairssperling

As property managers, we are very familiar with the rental turnover cycle. Tenants move in; tenants move out. It is a part of life and there is some sense of both chaos and harmony knowing that the cycle continues on.

If you have yet to start working with a property management company, you may find yourself dealing with all the details involved with a tenant turnover on your own. If so, we have some tips that may help you make the transition go more smoothly or you may choose to use our services here at Thayer & Associates.

There are things that a landlord or property management company should do both before the former tenant moves out and before the current tenant moves in. Read on for some ideas to make this as stress-free as possible.

Before Your Tenant Moves Out

As part of your responsibility as a landlord, “It’s your legal responsibility to provide a comfortable, healthy and safe living environment to your tenants, which often entails performing some essential repairs and upgrades,” according to Rentec Direct online.

This may mean cleaning the rental unit, making repairs, and ensuring that the unit is safe for the next tenant. You may also want to make upgrades that could increase the value of your rental and attract reliable tenants for future years.

Conduct a Walkthrough

As soon as your tenant puts in their notice that they will be moving, you should schedule an informal walkthrough with them to discuss issues such as cleaning that may fall under tenant responsibilities, as well as maintenance, repairs, updates, and landscaping issues that would be in the landlord’s domain.

Make a list of all that should be done prior to a new tenant moving in and prioritize each task.

Schedule Professional Services

Depending upon the condition of the unit and how much work/improvements you may want to complete, scheduling professional services such as a cleaning crew, plumber, electrician, or general contractor should be done well in advance so you can have the work done in a timely manner.

Establish Move Out Guidelines

Before your tenant moves out, be sure to give clear guidelines about what the apartment or unit should look like upon handing over the keys. For instance, many property managers require a clean apartment including the stove, refrigerator, and bathrooms. Without the area being free and clean of any leftover property or belongings, landlords often stipulate the loss of the security deposit.

Another scenario to consider is if walls have been painted or more permanent changes have been made, with or without your consent, be sure to stipulate what should be done to prepare the unit for the next tenant.

After Moving Day

Once your tenant has moved, there are a flurry of tasks that should be completed by the manager, landlord, or company responsible for the property.

First, the locks should be changed by a professional to ensure that a fresh set of keys will be given for a secure unit.

From there, many property managers spend a few days painting, cleaning, and repairing any areas that need it. Updates to areas like the kitchen and bathrooms could be done during this window when the unit is not occupied.

If there are carpenters, windows, or appliances that need cleaning this is the time to get that done as well.

Tenant turnover is inevitable, but having a sound plan prepared in advance can help make the transition go smoothly. Tell us your transition suggestions below or on our social media pages. If you are in need of tenant turnover help, whether it is marketing or completing the tasks needed to rent out your property, talk to our team about using our services here at Thayer & Associates.

Most Common Repairs in Rental Property

January 5, 2022capital repairs, repairs, unit ownerssperling

No home, apartment, or condominium is immune to breakdowns or the need for repairs. Even the most well-cared for properties have a lifespan. Knowing that rental property repairs are an inevitable part of being a landlord or property manager means that you know how a fast and reliable response is key to retaining happy tenants.

In order to understand the role of a good property manager, it is critical to understand the most common repairs that they must be prepared for no matter how new or old the facilities are.

Faulty Appliances

From the fridge to the stop to the dishwasher the number of things that could go wrong is infinitesimal. Every appliance has working and moving parts which means more possibilities of things going wrong.

Dishwashers that won’t operate the rinse cycle, freezers that are burnt out, and ovens that have heating elements that no longer work are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to appliances that need repairs.

Property managers can choose a few methods to deal with these unavoidable incidents; they can hire a full time repair person to troubleshoot each appliance issue, or contract a repair company that has a wide range of specialists depending upon the appliance and brand of appliance. Then there is always the do-it-yourself option that often results in calling an expert in the end anyway.

Leaks, Drips, & Clogs

One of the most common (and costly) repair areas in a rental property is plumbing. This could include: dripping faucets, leaky pipes, and clogged toilets, sinks, and tubs.

Water is the common denominator for all of these issues and sadly, it can cost hundreds of dollars to fix these types of issues. Not fixing is not an option as mold and mildew may develop along with damaging wood, drywall, flooring, and ceilings in the process.

Add to this list, clogged toilets and garbage disposals that are no longer churning, and property owners could be running from one unit to the next ad nauseum.

Having a trusty plumber on call, or even on the payroll, can help keep costs down as well as reminding tenants to notify management the moment a problem arises.

Pesky Pests

No tenant or unit owner wants to deal with mice, rats, termites, ants, bed bugs, or any of the number of pests that could take up residence in a property.

According to new research by Apartment Guide, Boston, Massachusetts and the Greater Boston region was named the area with the second most rodent infestations. First place to this undesirable award goes to the City of Brotherly Love, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The Massachusetts area is experiencing a higher than usual rodent infestation in the last few years. Whether the cause is changing weather or an increase in urban construction, it is apparent that rental properties are experiencing these pests at an alarming rate.

In order to combat these issues property managers and landlords should keep up with regular pest control services. It’s also helpful to remind tenants of behaviors that could be attracting pests such as open trash cans, rotting food, and unclean spaces.

Maintaining properties is a full time job and one that can be equated with happy tenants and unit owners. Make sure you have skilled craftsmen on call to handle all of your repairs as they arise.

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