Blog Post

Making the Most of the Pool with Your Long Beach Rental

Dustin Edwards • July 17, 2020

An Outdoor Pool Area Can Keep Your Tenants Happy for Years

Outdoor Area with Pool
Even in Southern California, and Long Beach in particular, we have a few “hot” days. Nearby areas such as Palm Springs or Valencia might not classify our days as hot however when temperatures reach the high 80’s and low 90’s it certainly can inspire a desire to cool down.

When tenants are looking for a great home to rent, one of the items that can be on their list is that of a pool. If you own a rental in the Long Beach neighborhoods of Plaza (East and West), Los Altos (North and South) or Bixby Knolls then you have a high probability of having a pool with your rental. Tenants looking to rent in these neighborhoods can be willing to pay more (and even rent for longer periods) because the home has a pool.  

Creating a True Outdoor Area
While a pool may be the center of attention in the yard it is not the only item that will create an enjoyable area outdoors. Having your pool contribute to a higher monthly rental income means having it be a part of a larger “outdoor area” where a tenant can envision themselves enjoying many a day for years to come.

Eating Area
Generally people aren’t knocking down their Olympic training routine in a backyard pool. While some may enjoy swimming laps the pool is often used as a hub for relaxing and enjoying the outdoors on warm summer days. To help your tenants enjoy the outdoor space consider putting out a nice table with an umbrella to allow them to relax while others enjoy pool time.

A BBQ is often a feature you will see in a short-term rental because an owner of a short-term rental wants that tenant to enjoy their home just like a hotel property but that doesn’t stop you from doing the same with your long-term rental. Consider placing a BBQ and don’t forget to identify in the lease that it is property associated with your rental. It is also recommended to outline cleaning guidelines for the barbecue.  

Fire Pit
When night falls you don’t want your tenant feeling like they have to go inside. Fire pits come in options of natural gas, propane, and wood. For rentals we would recommend the lower maintenance propane version as they tend to put out warmth without the wide range of flames that a wood pit can produce. Many propane versions can take the same style tanks as BBQs. To help your tenant maximize their enjoyment of the fire pit consider having seating specific to the fire pit area.

Privacy Fence or Landscaping
As you evaluate the pool area with your Long Beach rental take note of the fencing around the property. Does foliage provide a layer of privacy? Often a wonderful row of foliage is the best match to create additional cost effective privacy, but take time to explore your options to create the best possible experience for the area surrounding the pool.

Safety Consideration
One item that is raised on home inspections, but sometimes forgotten if the home has been a rental for some time, is that of the requirement of a fence around the pool. A fence around the pool, while an investment, is a requirement and helps everyone enjoy the benefits of the pool with added safety when smaller children are present.
When it comes to knowing if a pool will help the value of your rental the answer truly is going to be “it depends”. Each neighborhood and property will be different and it takes a bit of analysis and understanding of the local rental trends to determine how it will impact the monthly rent that is collected. When you want to understand how the pool at your property (whether it be a single family home, condo, or multi-unit) impacts the rent we invite you to fill out our Free Rental Analysis or call us today (562) 888-0247 and we will be happy to share more.


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Having clear communication with your tenant is essential for maintaining a healthy landlord-tenant relationship. By being transparent in all relevant interactions, landlords can prevent misunderstandings while resolving repairs and disputes efficiently while improving tenant satisfaction. Having good communication with your tenant is beneficial for landlords too. Effective communication also protects your investment property. Remember that while your tenant is living in the property, landlords need to take care of the repairs. Below are the three best things to do during tenant communications. Prompt Responses Addressing tenant concerns quickly is essential for building trust and maintaining a positive relationship. Tenants feel valued when landlords respond quickly, knowing that their needs are being prioritized. Building this trust not only enhances your tenant’s satisfaction it lowers the possibility of conflicts or misunderstandings to arise. This ultimately creates a healthy and successful rental experience for you and your tenant. Some of the most common inquiries will oftentimes include repair requests, among others. As an example; if your tenant reports a leak under their faucet and the repair is delayed, this can be damaging to your landlord-tenant relationship, as well as your property. If left ignored, that leak can result in hundreds of dollars in water damage and a vacancy . Which can further affect our bottom line negatively. For landlords with multiple properties, this can become difficult to keep track of. A property manager can help with scheduling repairs and communicating with your tenant on your behalf. Document Everything Keeping a detailed record of all interactions with your tenant is an important element when managing a property. There are many choices for documentation including email, text, or written notices. Although many property management companies and landlords have opted to use apps or dedicated tenant portals to log communications. A great example, for instance, a tenant may claim they’d reported a repair issue that was never addressed, if everything is to be documented, both you and the tenant would have a copy of the request. Maintaining transparency with tenants. Having thorough documentation ensures agreements and requests between all parties are clearly tracked. Documenting communications with your tenant provides landlords with a foundation for addressing misunderstandings, or disputes if and when they arise. Provide Regular Updates Regular updates show tenants that their landlord is organized and has an attentive approach to managing their property. Giving tenants ample time for maintenance, inspections or policy changes is a simple way to build trust with your tenants while showing your professionalism. Giving tenants advanced notices reassures them that you’re aware of how changes can affect them and you understand that time might be needed in order to adjust. Surprises are best kept for birthday parties. Proactively notifying tenants of changes helps clear the communication channels and minimizes disruptions which helps tenants feel valued and satisfied. These small yet consistent efforts can contribute to a positive tenant stay, which can encourage lease renewals and long-term tenancy. Additionally, having a good relationship with your tenants can give you a great reputation which can provide you with leads when looking to fill a vacancy . It cannot be understated the importance of communication for a healthy landlord-tenant relationship. Even if your tenant may not agree with some of the decisions a landlord needs to make, by giving your tenants ample time to process the change tenants generally are more accepting of said change. If you’re having trouble communicating with your tenants or if you need help 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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