What Tenants Look for When Renting a Property

Dustin Edwards • December 14, 2022

Tenants Look For These Items When Searching For A Rental 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.

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By Dustin Edwards June 6, 2025
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By Dustin Edwards May 30, 2025
Summer is a great time of year where people enjoy a number of outdoor activities. Though for landlords, summer brings with it a list of maintenance items and preventative care for their properties. Below, we’ve gathered three of the most important maintenance items to do before summer starts. Service your HVAC System Southern California summers are getting hotter and hotter, if you want to maintain tenant satisfaction you’ll need to have the HVAC or any A/C or cooling system properly serviced . Filters should be cleaned or replaced, and the ductwork should be inspected. For rentals with window units or mini-split systems should also be thoroughly inspected as well for optimal cooling. Doing proactive maintenance can reduce the risk of the cooling system breaking down during peak usage while also improving the system’s efficiency. This can lower utility costs for your tenants while extending the lifespan of your cooling system, saving you money in the long run. Additionally, consider inspecting your window and door seals for leaks. If the seals are broken, it allows hot air into the living space, this increases the cost associated with cooling while adding more load to the HVAC or cooling system. While not directly a part of the HVAC system, ensuring there aren’t any breaks in the seals helps extend the lifespan of your cooling system which is beneficial to your bottom line. Inspect your Roof The condition of a roof is oftentimes ignored since they tend to last over twenty years, and some property owners may not even be sure when the roof was last replaced . A poorly conditioned roof is one of the primary ways for a rental property to drive up the costs of repairs and tenant complaints. A damaged roof can inefficiently insulate a home, making it harder to keep it cool. It can also lead to water leaks during rainfall, which can lead to water damage, stains, and mold growth. While summers tend to be dry, the coastal cities such as Long Beach may see unexpected shifts in weather, which can bring sudden rainstorms or increased humidity. Fixing a small roof leak is relatively inexpensive, however, leaving said leak to grow can result in an emergency repair can cost thousands especially if a tenant has already moved in. A thorough roof inspection is a great maintenance item to do during a vacancy period especially as this can result in a positive experience with new tenants. This can lead to a long term stay with many lease renewals. Check for Signs of Pests Pest infestations are one of the fastest ways to ruin a tenant’s stay while also damaging a landlord’s reputation. Pests such as ants, cockroaches, other bugs, and rodents are common in many beach cities, especially during the warmer seasons. Being in a city, you’ll likely never truly be rid of pests, though, even a single complaint about an excess of bugs or rodent droppings can lead to bad reviews online, service calls, and in severe cases, lease termination. These pests not only create an unwelcome environment for your tenants, but they can also cause real damage to your investment property. Cockroaches are known to damage small wiring in appliances, ants can ruin food and get in everything, while rodents can chew through walls, plumbing, and even electrical wiring. Landlords should schedule regular ppest inspectionsto check for early signs of pest activity before the hotter season begins. Much like everything in this article, preventative maintenance is significantly cheaper than an emergency call, in this case to an exterminator. If you want to keep your tenants happy and your property well taken care of, preventative maintenance is a must. If you’re unsure about the signs to look for when doing routine inspections 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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