4 Must Do Items After a Tenant Vacates Your Property

Dustin Edwards • October 29, 2024

Vacancies are a part investment property, and even long term tenants will eventually move out. There are a number of steps you consider after a tenant moves out. 


While not every case is the same, today we’ll go over four different must do tasks you should take into account after a tenant vacates your rental property.


Inspect the Property

Although we all want to assume that your tenants were careful and respectful of your property, it's important to understand that sometimes damages happen without anyone noticing. For example a minor crack in the shower may not seem important enough for your tenant to bring it to your attention. However this small crack, if left unchecked for long periods of time can ultimately leak into the walls causing rot and mold.


Landlords or property managers should perform a detailed walkthrough of the rental property to look for anything not considered normal wear and tear. Look for deliberate issues such as holes in walls, broken appliances, or carpet stains. These items may require repairs or replacements.


Take photos or videos in order to document the condition of the property. This can help provide evidence for any security deposit deductions. This also provides a record of the condition of the property after the tenant moves out.


Clean and Prepare

Once the tenant is moved out, now comes the time to deep clean the property. This way you can better see minor defects that may require attention. This may include cleaning carpets, scrubbing floors, and wiping down walls. Areas such as baseboards, windowsills, and air vents oftentimes get overlooked which can lead to expensive repairs if ignored.


If you allow tenants to own pets, or they were smokers, this can leave behind an unpleasant odor. This may require professional odor-removal treatments to ensure the property smells fresh for the next tenant. If the rest of the property is in good shape, all that's left is to give the rental a fresh coat of paint and replace any items that may be getting worn out.


Repairs and Maintenance

Unfortunately not every vacancy is as simple as a cleaning and paint job. You may need to invest additional time and money repairing damages that were noted during the initial inspection. This can include repairing drywall, replacing broken fixtures, and any other major repairs. This helps to ensure the property remains in good condition for longer while being appealing to potential renters.


Having no tenant living in the rental provides a great opportunity to take care of other routine maintenance tasks. Such as changing air filters, checking smoke detectors, and servicing the HVAC system. If your rental is an older property or has outdated features, consider making minor property upgrades to it. This can increase the appeal of your rental. Consider replacing appliances with newer, more efficient ones or updating fixtures. This investment can help to justify a higher asking rent and potentially attract higher quality tenants.


Market the Property for New Tenants

Once you’re satisfied with the property’s condition, take high-quality photos that showcase its best features. Alternatively, if you’ve already had professional photos taken, if not much has changed, feel free to re-use them. High-quality photos are essential for attracting prospective tenants and are necessary for listing your rental online. However in the current market, this isn't enough and you may want to consider setting up a 3d tour, drone photos, and videos in order to give a prospective tenant all the angles of the rental.


Finally remember that the rental market is constantly changing. You’ll need to research the local rental market in order to determine a competitive rental rate. Regularly performing rental assessments helps keep prices from being too high, which can lead to extended vacancy periods.  While pricing it too low may inadvertently attract less responsible tenants or leave money on the table.


When a tenant moves out, it may feel like a hit to your monthly income, though you should see it as an opportunity to reassess and potentially earn more down the line. If you need help preparing for a vacancy for a new tenant or managing Beach City rental property, we invite you to call us today at (562) 888-0247 or complete our Owner Application online.


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When To Include Utilities in Your Monthly Rent

By Dustin Edwards • May 17, 2025
Have you considered including utilities in your rent? Here are some of the most common utilities that help tenants see a greater value on renting your property

5 Signs It's Time To Replace Your Rental's Roof

By Dustin Edwards • May 8, 2025
Your property’s roof is its first line of defense from the sun, rain, and wind. Which means it will eventually wear out. Many landlords overlook this since a roof is generally designed to last twenty or so years, and they simply forget until the signs begin to show. Below, we’ve compiled a short list of five signs it’s time to replace your roof for when doing property inspections. Tenant Complaints When your roof has become damaged, your tenants will likely be the first to notice. When tenants report water stains on the walls and ceilings, it's a sign that you should inspect your roof. In severe cases, your tenant may notice water dripping from roof leaks. This moisture, if left unchecked, can lead to the growth of mold and mildew, which can be a health concern for your tenants. Some tenants simply move out, assuming the odors or recurring respiratory issues are caused by the rental and not just the roof. This leaves you with a vacancy to manage, and if you’re unable to find the leak during this period, the following tenant may have a negative experience as well. Many landlords have found it beneficial to have property inspections regularly in order to preserve both the property’s value and the tenant’s trust. Roof’s Age Even with the highest quality materials, a roof still has a shelf life. Most roofs in Long Beach, CA, use asphalt shingles, and these generally last around twenty to twenty-five years. Once they've passed this threshold, the faults begin to show themselves. A sagging roof line is a sign that your roof is due to be replaced, as it's a serious concern. It often indicates that moisture has entered the underlying decking and caused some structural damage. From ground level, you may not be able to notice these problems. However, during an inspection of the property, an experienced inspector should be able to notice soft spots or contours on the roof. These forms of damage often get worse over time. Coordinating these inspections and preventative maintenance can be difficult for landlords with an extensive portfolio, which is why many enlist help. Shingle Damage Damaged shingles are one of the most obvious signs that your roof is deteriorating. If you ever notice cracking, curling, or patches with missing shingles, the roof is no longer providing adequate protection to your property. Although you can buy time with spot repairs, if the entire roof shows signs of damage, it’s likely time to replace the roof. Aside from protecting your property, the roof affects your property’s curb appeal. A patchy and worn-out roof can drive down the rental appeal. Prospective tenants will easily be able to spot the differences between pictures taken in the listing when compared to the property in person. This can not only hurt your chances of filling a vacancy, but it can also hurt your reputation as a landlord. Granules in Gutters After heavy rainfall, it's a good idea to inspect your rain gutters. If you or your property manager notice large amounts of black or gray granules, it means your roof shingles are breaking down. These granules are critical for shedding water off the roof. Once the granules fall off the shingle, the shingle begins to degrade faster under the sun and elements. If you’re not sure how old your roof may be, Loss of granules can be a strong indicator that your roof is nearing the end of its lifespan. Regular gutter cleaning and roof inspections can help catch these problems early before they become expensive repairs . Increase in Utility Bills Your tenants complaining about their utility bills increasing or poor temperature control in the rental may not realize the roof is to blame. A failing roof can result in subpar insulation and ventilation. This can lead to higher heating and cooling bills for your tenant. This can be frustrating for your tenants while putting more strain on the HVAC system. This puts more wear and tear on your HVAC system. Being aware of the warning signs and being proactive can protect your rental property, maintain tenant satisfaction , and avoid emergency repairs. If you need help inspecting your roof or you need help managing your Beach City rental property, we invite you to call us today at (562) 888-0247 or complete our Owner Application online .

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