What Tenants Look for When Renting a Property

Most landlords understand what makes a good tenant. Someone who pays rent on time is respectful and communicative and will live in their Long Beach rental property long term. Quality tenants are difficult to come by as there is heavy competition to retain them.

How do you attract tenants to your property, and what do they look for when exploring the market?

Below are a few tips and tricks you can do to make your rental property more appealing to potential tenants.

Quality Photos

For a tenant to be interested in your rental property, they need to be able to judge it. Professional images should help the tenant see as much as possible and visualize living there. Listing without pictures rarely interests tenants, while high-quality, well-lit photos can give tenants a virtual tour of the property. Focusing on strengths is ideal, but you don’t want to hide imperfections.

Maintenance

If a tenant has decided to schedule a viewing of the rental property, repairs and maintenance must be done. If the property is in poor condition, many tenants will assume that this is how it is treated, and they should treat it as such. Repairs or maintenance of a unit once a tenant has moved in can be disruptive and alienate good tenants. First impressions are essential; you don't want to give your potential tenants the wrong one.

Condition of the Property

Aside from general maintenance, the property's overall condition is important for tenants. An older home may feel cozy, but will often mean that repairs to the core systems may be common. Tenants tend to avoid older properties for this reason. If the core systems are new, you can attract quality tenants.

Communication and Cooperation

Landlords and tenants should be respectful and courteous in a perfect world. Unfortunately, many tenants see landlords or property management companies as “rent collectors.” To entice quality tenants, they need to feel that you or your property manager are easily reachable and easy to communicate with. Answer all their questions and set the expectation that you follow through with promises. A good tenant will expect mutual respect and hold their end of the bargain so long as you keep your word. They will likely be searching for a new home if you don't meet their expectations.

Reputation

One of the most valuable forms of marketing is word of mouth. The majority of consumers use reviews and recommendations to help make their decision. Promote positive renter testimonials on your website, listings, and even a few sentences. Tenants with recent positive experiences such as quick repairs, events, or receiving a tenant appreciation reward are best used for these testimonials. The better you and your property managers are, the more likely a tenant will be attracted. 

Referral programs are a great way to encourage current tenants to attract their friends or family to your rental property. A good tenant will likely refer to other good tenants, and rewarding them with discounts on rent, gift cards, or cash can set up a constant flow of quality referrals all year. 

Finding high-quality and respectful tenants doesn’t have to be complicated. Show them you and your home are as excellent as they are, and finding good, long-term tenants shouldn’t be an issue. If you need help setting up advertisements for your rental or would like more details about our services, consider calling us at (562) 888-0247, or feel free to fill out our free rental analysis to see what your rental could yield today.