How to Prepare Applicants for Applying to Your Rental Property in Long Beach
Dustin Edwards • April 4, 2020
A Prepared Applicant Helps You Find the Right Tenant
When most people think of getting their rental property in Long Beach rented to a new tenant they usually think of how they are going to prepare the home, taking pictures for the listing, what they will need to do to show the property, etc. One of the last thoughts that usually comes to mind is that of preparing the applicants.
Preparing prospective rental applicants before they even apply has the following big benefits:
- Avoids unnecessary frustration from applicants
- Focuses your pool of applicants on those who are prepared for your requirements
- Gives you more applications to review that meet your goals (note: the more rules the fewer overall applications, but the applications that are submitted will meet your requirements!)
There are many ways you can prepare applicants for applying
to your rental property in Long Beach. If you are renting your home for the first time, on your own, we recommend you consider the following:
- Applicant Profile - This means outlining the standards of the applicants you are looking for. For example what should the minimum FICO score be? How long are you going to require they have been at their current job? How long of a residence history would you like them to provide? Do you care if they have active collections? All of these (and more) are aspects you not only can decide on but can communicate to prospects before they become applicants so they can understand what you will be expecting from each applicant.
- Property Profile - Take the time to outline the specific requirements of your property. Take into consideration items such as allowing smoking? Will you be allowing pets? If you allow pets are you providing any restrictions on those pets (don’t forget to check with your insurance provider regarding pets)? Will they be responsible for maintaining the landscaping? All of these are aspects you can outline to prepare tenants for the requirements of the property.
- Payment Terms - There was a time when the only preferred method of payment from a tenant was that of a cashier's check, but that isn’t the case in today’s era. With options such as Zelle, Venmo and much more how are you planning on taking payment? What day is rent considered late? How much is the late fee? Outline each element of the payment terms to ensure you and your new prospective tenants are aligned in your expectations.
- Advance Notice of Fees - Most rental applications will require a credit check and if so, who is going to pay for that? Before someone applies, take the time to outline the fees they can expect to invest in the application process. Even a modest fee of $25-$40 can dissuade some people from applying to a property and if that is the case then it could mean they aren’t a match for you for the long run.
- Timing of your review process - When you take someone’s application when can they expect a response from you? And how will they receive a response from you (i.e. email, phone, mail)? Identify clearly how and when you will be communicating with prospective tenants to help them understand the process of review as it will save you many emails and calls of people wondering “when” you will respond.
When it comes down to preparing applicants to rent your property in Long Beach we hope this has helped. We have prepared 1000’s of applicants over the years for the properties we manage for our clients and we would be happy to do the same for you. When you want to find out more about how we prepare applicants we invite you to call us today at (562) 888-0247 or simply fill out our Free Rental Analysis
and we can share a detailed analysis of your property.
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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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