Should You Upgrade the Appliances in Your Long Beach Rental?
Dustin Edwards • July 3, 2021
Are Energy Efficient Appliances Worth the Investment?
Recent technological advancement has paved the way for energy efficient appliances that can lower your Long Beach rental’s monthly power bills, reduce the level of energy your tenants use, and contribute to a cleaner environment. Although energy efficient appliances for your rental may come at a higher cost, the initial investment can be worth the overall gain in lower electric bills and attracting the right tenant.
You might be saying “it doesn’t matter to me, my tenant’s pay the bill” . We encourage you to look at it from the tenant’s view. A lower bill allows them more flexibility, demonstrates they have a landlord who cares about their bills, and creates a better rental environment.
Below are a range of energy efficient appliances to consider, as well as the money they can save you.
Dishwashers
Over the last decade, dishwasher technology has made notable improvements. Replacing your rental’s old dishwasher with an energy efficient counterpart can save almost 4,000 gallons of water and the cost to run an energy efficient dishwasher is only about $35 a year.
Furthermore, modern dishwasher models have dozens of new and helpful components, such as warmer water temperature settings and a soil-sensor to determine if the water runs clean after washing a dish. Implementing one of these energy efficient dishwashers will encourage your tenants to stop washing dishes by hand. Not only will this save them hours of time, but it will also conserve their water use, thereby lowering your rental’s monthly water bill.
Refrigerators
Energy efficient refrigerators are one of the easiest ways to switch to more eco-friendly rental appliances as they include a variety of innovative features to save you hundreds of dollars over their twelve-year life span. Some of these features include added insulation that keeps food cold and high-efficiency compressors that reduce the energy used to regulate temperature.
Overall, these refrigerators tend to be about 9% more energy efficient than regular refrigerators, which reduces your rental’s costs and emissions.
Refrigerators are appliances that sometimes tenants like to bring their own. We recommend developing a policy on whether you provide a refrigerator or you want your tenant’s to bring their own. Consistency is key in this area.
Washers
Washers are notorious for using an abundance of water and energy during each cycle. When you have two or more tenants, the cost of those cycles can add up. However, energy efficient washers significantly lower the amount of water your tenants use per cycle by around 33% and the amount of energy by about 25%. For energy costs alone, this saves you almost $370.
Energy efficient washers typically ditch the central agitator, allowing your tenants to wash more clothes in a single cycle. Not only does this help your tenants, but it is also better for the environment as it requires less cycles and uses less hot water.
Tankless Water Heaters
As previously discussed on our blog post about Seasonal Checklists, tankless water heaters are a wonderful inclusion to consider for your rental property. For one, they take up less space than a conventional water heater, which can be especially helpful if your rental does not have a garage. Additionally, they save energy and markedly cut costs by only heating water when you turn on the faucet.
Standard water heaters are notoriously the second highest energy user in American homes. Switching to a tankless water heater could save you around $1,500 and remarkably reduce your rental’s emissions.
Heating and Air Conditioning Units
Smart thermostats such as Google Nest and ecobee have changed the game for heating and air conditioning in homes. What makes these thermostats so unique is that they do more than warm and cool your rental. Rather, they learn from your tenants preferences and adjust the temperature to fit their needs.
Most notably, their learning capabilities are incredibly energy efficient. According to Google, the Nest thermostats alone have saved over 78,300,000,000 kWh of energy! This is largely due to the smart thermostats’ ability to turn off when your rental is empty. Then, when it detects that your tenants are almost home (by tracking their phones), it automatically starts warming or cooling the rental to reach their ideal temperature.
Some other neat aspects of smart thermostats include the ability to set the temperature via your phone, smart speaker, or smart watch, constant system monitoring to alert you of any potential mechanical issues, and an energy-saving mode.
All of these components make smart thermostats the future of heating and air conditioning and a welcome feature to boost your Long Beach rental.
Finding the best energy efficient appliances is easy. Simply look for any appliances with the Energy Star logo. Energy Star is the government-supported leader in testing and certifying energy efficient appliances to reduce power costs and greenhouse gas emissions. You can find a large selection of Energy Star models at your local appliance store or Home Depot.
Hiring a Long Beach property management company can make finding and installing the latest technologies easier. If you would like assistance with energy efficient appliances or other additions to your rental, we invite you to call us today at (562) 888-0247 or you can fill out our Owner Application online.
Share this post
How Long Beach property management companies market rental properties: pricing, professional listings, multi-platform exposure, fast responses, and screening.
One of the most important steps in successful rental property management is tenant screening. While marketing attracts applicants and leasing fills vacancies, the screening process determines whether a tenant will be reliable, respectful of the property, and consistent with rent payments. For Long Beach property owners, proper tenant screening can mean the difference between stable rental income and ongoing management problems. Professional property management companies in Long Beach use structured screening procedures to evaluate applicants carefully while remaining compliant with fair housing regulations. A strong screening process protects your property, your income, and your long-term investment. Why Tenant Screening Matters Tenant screening is designed to reduce risk before a lease is signed by evaluating applicant reliability. When landlords skip or rush this process, they increase the likelihood of avoidable issues. These may include late or missed rent payments , lease violations, or property damage. Additional risks include neighbor complaints and costly eviction proceedings. Replacing a problematic tenant can be expensive and time-consuming. Between lost rent, repairs, and vacancy periods , a single bad tenant placement can cost thousands of dollars. Professional rental property management prioritizes careful screening because prevention is far easier than resolving problems later. The Tenant Application Process The screening process begins with a rental application. A thorough application collects information needed to evaluate whether an applicant meets the property's rental criteria . Applications typically request: Personal identification information Employment and income details Rental history References from previous landlords Authorization for credit and background checks Property managers review this information to ensure the applicant meets established qualification standards. Consistency is critical; property management companies in Long Beach must evaluate applicants using the same criteria to remain compliant with fair housing laws. Credit History Evaluation Credit history is one of the most common factors considered during tenant screening because it reflects financial reliability. A credit report provides insight into an applicant's behavior over time. This includes payment history, outstanding debts, and collections accounts. It also shows credit utilization, which helps assess overall risk. While a credit score alone does not determine whether someone will be a good tenant, it helps identify patterns of financial responsibility. Professional Long Beach property management services evaluate credit reports carefully while also considering income stability and rental history. Some applicants with lower credit scores may still qualify if they demonstrate strong income and a reliable rental record. Income Verification and Affordability One of the most important indicators of whether a tenant can consistently pay rent is income stability. Property managers verify income to ensure that applicants can reasonably afford the monthly rent. A common guideline is that tenants should earn at least two-and-a-half to three times the monthly rent in gross income. Income verification may include reviewing: Recent pay stubs Employment verification Bank statements Tax returns for self-employed applicants This step helps ensure the tenant's financial situation supports consistent rent payments. Professional property management uses income verification to reduce the risk of late rent or financial hardship. Rental History and Previous Landlord References Past rental behavior is often one of the best indicators of future tenant behavior. Property managers typically contact previous landlords to verify information such as: Payment history Lease compliance Property condition upon move-out Whether the landlord would rent to the tenant again A strong rental history suggests the applicant understands tenant responsibilities and has demonstrated reliability in the past. Experienced property managers in Long Beach California pay close attention to rental history because it can reveal patterns that credit reports alone may not show. Background Screening and Compliance Background screening may also be part of the tenant evaluation process. This can include criminal history checks conducted in compliance with fair housing regulations. It is important that background screening is performed consistently and in accordance with local and state laws. California and many cities have regulations governing how criminal records can be considered in rental decisions. Professional property management companies in Long Beach stay current on these regulations to ensure that screening practices remain compliant. This protects property owners from potential legal risks related to discriminatory screening practices. Establishing Clear Rental Criteria Before screening applicants, property managers establish clear rental criteria. These criteria outline the minimum standards applicants must meet to qualify for the property. Typical criteria may address: Minimum income requirements Credit history expectations Rental history standards Occupancy limits By establishing criteria in advance, property managers ensure that all applicants are evaluated fairly and consistently. Clear criteria also help set expectations for applicants and streamline the approval process. The Importance of Fair Housing Compliance Tenant screening must always comply with federal, state, and local fair housing laws . Landlords cannot discriminate based on protected characteristics such as race, religion, national origin, disability, familial status, gender, sexual orientation, or other protected categories under California law. Professional property management in Long Beach California includes careful adherence to fair housing regulations throughout the screening process. Consistent procedures help ensure compliance while protecting property owners from legal exposure. Why Professional Tenant Screening Matters Tenant screening requires experience, attention to detail, and knowledge of legal guidelines. Many landlords underestimate how complex the process can be. Evaluating applications while maintaining compliance with fair housing laws and local regulations requires careful procedures. A property management company in Long Beach brings established systems and experience to the screening process. This helps property owners avoid common mistakes while improving the chances of placing the best tenants for their rental . When screening is handled professionally, landlords can feel more confident that their rental property is in good hands. The Long-Term Value of Careful Tenant Placement A good tenant can make rental ownership significantly easier. Responsible tenants pay rent on time, maintain the property, and communicate effectively when maintenance issues arise. Careful screening increases the likelihood of finding tenants who will remain in the property long-term. Long-term tenants reduce turnover costs , minimize vacancy periods, and create more stable rental income. Professional property management companies understand that tenant placement is one of the most important decisions in the entire rental process. How Beach Cities Management Screens Tenants At Beach Cities Management, our rental property management in Long Beach includes a structured tenant screening process designed to protect both property owners and tenants. Our screening procedures include: Comprehensive rental applications Credit and income verification Rental history checks Fair housing compliant evaluation standards Our goal is to place qualified tenants who will respect the property and maintain consistent rent payments. Ready for Professional Tenant Screening and Leasing? If you want help leasing and managing your rental property, professional Long Beach property management can simplify the process and reduce risk. Apply today through our **Owner Application** . Let Beach Cities Management handle tenant screening, leasing, and property management so you can focus on building long-term investment success.
How a well-written lease protects Long Beach landlords and tenants, what it must include, and how professional property management keeps leases compliant.
