When it comes to the leading locations for renters right now, Santa Clarita is steadily climbing the charts in their eyes. With Santa Monica rental rates continuing to rise and cities like Santa Clarita ranking highly as the city to be stuck at home during a pandemic, the market can be a lucrative one for landlords. Since the onset of the pandemic, rents in Santa Clarita have gone up an average of 2.3 percent. It has also meant that the city’s prospects have improved in the eyes of landlords. However, before renting out your property to new tenants, there is a list of must-dos to get your property up to scratch. From getting the basics of health and safety down to ensure your appliances are in working order, here are a few things you need to take care of before welcoming your new tenants.

Address Any Health And Safety Repairs Needed For Your Property

As a landlord, you will be required to adhere to several health and safety regulations when getting your property ready. It will be your responsibility to maintain the property in a liveable and safe environment. This includes inspecting your property for mold, mildew, or any other safety hazards. You are also required to ensure the property has working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in place.

In terms of health considerations, this can vary widely. For instance, a broken window could mean energy loss and potential safety risk to your tenant. It also could mean your tenants are cold during their tenancy. If you are unfamiliar with the health and safety regulations for rentals in your state, The National Center for Healthy Housing website has a list of tenant-landlord housing codes.

Ensure Your Plumbing And Appliances Are All In Working Order 

Another step in getting your rental property ready is ensuring your utilities are all working properly before a tenancy begins. Make sure to schedule any annual inspections for your furnace and that your appliances are operational. If any appliances require repairs, this is the perfect time to schedule a visit with a repairman. It is also recommended that you leave adequate time for repairs in advance of renting to a tenant. Some repairs to the property like roof repairs can take some time. Some repairs are also more expensive and may need you to arrange renovation financing. For instance, the cost of a new asphalt shingles roof for a 2,000 square feet home can range between $9,000 and $16,500.

Update Your Interiors With A Few Budget-Friendly Upgrades

The aesthetics of your property are just as important when preparing it for rental. It helps to improve the appeal to prospective renters and in some cases, can allow you to command a higher rental price. A good place to start is by getting the property thoroughly cleaned. This is particularly important if your property has been unoccupied for some time or was previously occupied by tenants. Don’t forget to tidy up your property’s exterior as well. This includes mowing the lawns, refreshing the property’s exterior paint if needed.

 On the inside, a simple DIY paint job can also upgrade your property. Colors recommended for rental property include neutral colors like grays, tans, and creams. Landlords can also improve their rental property by updating their flooring. If you prefer to have carpet flooring, a darker hue is best as it shows dirt buildup less over the years. For places like the kitchen and bathroom, laminate flooring is a great cheaper option and is easy to clean.

As a landlord, it is your obligation to prepare your property before welcoming tenants. Taking these small steps to get your property ready can only improve its appeal to prospective tenants but can even boost your rental rates in the Santa Clarita market.

KHTS FM 98.1 and AM 1220 is Santa Clarita’s only local radio station. KHTS mixes in a combination of news, traffic, sports, and features along with your favorite adult contemporary hits. Santa Clarita news and features are delivered throughout the day over our airwaves, on our website and through a variety of social media platforms. Our KHTS national award-winning daily news briefs are now read daily by 34,000+ residents. A vibrant member of the Santa Clarita community, the KHTS broadcast signal reaches all of the Santa Clarita Valley and parts of the high desert communities located in the Antelope Valley. The station streams its talk shows over the web, reaching a potentially worldwide audience. Follow @KHTSRadio on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.