5 Rental Property Upgrades that Can Help Your Tenant Save Money and Help You Attract the Best Long Term Tenants
Dustin Edwards • April 17, 2020
Help Your Tenant Save Monthly
When many property owners think of upgrades they often think of the visually appealing items such as a kitchen or an essential replacement such as a roof or air-conditioning unit, but there are many other upgrades that can be done to a property that are far less expensive and have a benefit. With the rental market always being competitive for the best tenants we challenge our property owners to consider property upgrades that can help the tenant save and attract long term tenants.
Property Upgrade #1: Smart Thermostat
The variety of smart thermostats on the market today is incredible. Smart thermostats can operate from your phone and provide a level of control for your energy consumption that has not previously been available. These thermostats can truly optimize energy based on when people are home (or not home) to optimize heating and cooling needs. This all sounds great but how does this help you with your monthly rental income?
Today’s renter often looks for differentiators in properties beyond the location. With rents constantly increasing they look for ways to save and a smart thermostat gives your tenant the ability to save ~$180 annually. While saving $15/month might not sound like much it does add up over time and with many properties appearing “equal” saving that little bit extra can mean a tenant stays longer helping to increase your yield over time.
Property Upgrade #2: Tankless Water Heater
When you are managing 100’s of properties for clients you truly get an understanding of how often a water heater fails. Yes a traditional water heater should last 10 years but that is not always the case. For new construction you will see the standard has become tankless water heaters, but when it is time to replace your unit water heater at your property you still have a choice. A tankless water is more expensive to install initially; however, it offers the opportunity for an individual to save ~$100+ annually. This is another one of those ~$10+ a month savings that a tenant can see as an added benefit.
Property Upgrade #3: Including a Washer/Dryer
When you own a residential multi-family building (i.e. 2-4 units) there are ways to show value to tenants where you can make an incremental amount of revenue. For a 2-4 unit property you could have a coin (or credit card operated) washer and dryer unit. Many professionals recommend leasing the machines as it allows you the opportunity to keep newer units in your building that have less downtime and hassle. The incremental revenue will likely be small, $15-$50/month on a residential multi-family, but it is a value add to tenants that can keep them in your building longer as it saves them time from going to the local laundromat and you might be able to charge a bit less than commercial rates to help them save.
Property Upgrade #4: 240 Volt Charging for Electric Car
There is no doubt that electric cars will continue to become more and more prevalent. While the automakers have made it easy to use a traditional 120volt connection the downside is that charging times can be quite a bit slower. An upgrade to your home that can help attract top tenants is to install an EV Charger at your property that provides for 240 volt charging. There are indoor/outdoor models which would give you the flexibility for a variety of installation options. When tenants realize that your property allows them to charge quickly and to avoid finding a charging station they will be happy to keep renting your property.
Property Upgrade #5: Drought Tolerant Landscaping
In Southern California we traditionally are in near drought conditions and in different years have experienced drought guidelines where we have all been asked to cut back on our water usage. Optimizing water usage by installing drought tolerant landscaping is a great way to support the environment and it can even help your tenant save on their monthly water bill.
Consider that in Long Beach the average household using 10 units of water each month
would be billed $51.09. With each unit of water being 748 gallons and sprinklers running for an hour using ~1020 gallons you could see how a low water usage landscape could help save water and save a bit on the monthly bill for your tenant. Especially if you haven’t updated your landscaping in quite some time consider installing features that use a low amount of water. We aren’t suggesting that you have to go with a complete desert landscape but we are suggesting that you take into consideration plants and even a reduction in grass that can help overall water consumption.
It seems that each year different upgrades can help attract the top tenants. When you want to find out which upgrades are truly best we invite you to call us today (562) 888-0247. If you want to have a quick check to see how much your property could fetch in rent we invite you to fill out our Free Rental Analysis
where we can show you how your property will fair against the competition.
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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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