Preparing Your Home For Rent
Preparing Your Home For Rent
Thank you for choosing In Touch Properties Property Management Services.
This booklet will provide you with important information about making your move “Hassle Free”! We strive to provide you with efficient and reliable Property Management services. In this booklet you’ll find helpful and detailed information about the steps to prepare your property to rent.
Always remember: First Impressions are Lasting Impressions!
Depending on your management options, we may be showing your property prior to your move out. Proper maintenance and cleaning are just as important to a potential tenant as they are to a home buyer.
tips for preparing your property to show
Move-In Ready
Based on our experience, a home that is in “Move-In Ready” condition has a higher chance of attracting a potential tenant faster! The quicker it rents, the quicker you can start collecting your money! To help out, we’re providing you with our Move-Out Checklist! Use this list as a guideline for your move! Make it simple. Cleaning room by room, closing doors behind you as it’s finished is a great way to say “WHEW, this one is done!” We’ve included a list of professionals that can make this step even easier!!!
Take the hassle out of cleaning by giving one of them a call. Plus, they have a copy of “Our” checklist! So they will know exactly what needs to be done…No need to instruct them!
Here are items that you will need to complete upon your move out.
- Touch ups/painting. Walls & baseboards/trim. Even painting the inside the closets will add appeal.
- Full interior cleaning. See detailed checklist.
- Pet odors/stains ~ carpet cleaning and deodorizing will help but if the odor remains, you may want to contact a professional. Carpet cleaning specialists may be able to work with you and offer suggestions. If this doesn’t work, you may consider replacing carpet.
- Professional carpet cleaning. Tile & grout cleaning (can be optional)
- HVAC Preventive maintenance, clean vents, change filter.
- Pool Maintenance is required until property is rented. (If applicable)
- Pressure washing exterior (if needed)
Checklist for Move Out
PLEASE NOTE: This checklist is being provided as a guideline only.
If you are occupying the property during advertising, please follow the steps provided to you in this document, if the house is vacant it “MUST” be “SHOW READY” before advertising will begin.
PLEASE DO NOT TOUCH UP OR PATCH NAIL HOLES.
The paint could be a different color or sheen and will cause more damage ~ If an entire room needs to be painted please do so in a neutral color or one of the vendors on the list provided can quote to professionally paint
EXTERIOR
- Lawn: Entire lawn must be cut & edged (where applicable) all landscaping must be free of weeds and shrubs trimmed.
- Front Entrance: Personal items must be removed, entry clean & swept free of dirt/debris/webs, etc. Front door to be wiped clean/free of dirt/webs/debris.
- Patio/Deck/Rear Entry: Personal items must be removed, entry clean & swept free of dirt/debris/webs, etc. Front door to be wiped clean/free of dirt/webs/debris.
- Storage Building: (if applicable) Personal items must be removed, inside must be clean & swept free of dirt/debris/webs, etc.
- Trash/Debris: Must be removed from the property. Any personal items left behind after move out is complete will be removed at the tenant (s) expense.
- Screens: Any missing/damaged screens must been repaired/replaced.
ENTRY/COAT CLOSETS
- Carpets (where applicable) must be professionally cleaned.
- Clean all flooring/walls/doors/baseboards/outlet covers.
- Replace any missing or damaged outlet covers/switch-plates.
LIVING ROOM
- Carpets (where applicable) must be professionally cleaned.
- Clean all flooring/walls/doors/baseboards/outlet covers.
- Light fixtures/ceiling fans must be clean, light bulbs replaced if needed.
- Ceiling must be clean/free of webs.
- Windows/Blinds must be clean free of dirt/webs wiped inside & out.
- Fireplace (where applicable) must be clean and free of debris.
- A/C vents must be dusted and free of debris.
- Replace any missing or damaged outlet covers/switch-plates.
HALLWAYS
- Carpets (where applicable) must be professionally cleaned.
- Clean all flooring/walls/doors/baseboards/outlet covers.
- Light fixtures/ceiling fans must be clean, light bulbs replaced if needed.
- Ceiling must be clean/free of webs.
- Windows/Blinds must be clean free of dirt/webs wiped inside & out.
- A/C vents must be dusted and free of debris.
- Replace any missing or damaged outlet covers/switch-plates.
BEDROOMS
- Carpets (where applicable) must be professionally cleaned.
- Clean all flooring/walls/doors/baseboards/outlet covers.
- Light fixtures/ceiling fans must be clean, light bulbs replaced if needed.
- Ceiling must be clean/free of webs.
- Windows/Blinds must be clean free of dirt/webs wiped inside & out.
- A/C vents must be dusted and free of debris.
- Replace any missing or damaged outlet covers/switch-plates.
CLOSETS
- Carpets (where applicable) must be professionally cleaned.
- Clean all flooring/walls/doors/baseboards/outlet covers.
- Light fixtures/ceiling fans must be clean, light bulbs replaced if needed.
- Ceiling must be clean/free of webs.
- Shelving must be clean/free of debris
- Windows/Blinds must be clean free of dirt/webs wiped inside & out.
- A/C vents must be dusted and free of debris.
- Replace any missing or damaged outlet covers/switch-plates.
INTERIOR
- Replace HVAC Filter and Clean/Dust the return air vent.
KITCHEN
- Clean all flooring/walls/doors/baseboards/outlet covers.
- Light fixtures/ceiling fans must be clean, light bulbs replaced if needed.
- Ceiling must be clean/free of webs.
- Windows/Blinds must be clean free of dirt/webs wiped inside & out.
- A/C vents must be dusted and free of debris.
- Replace any missing or damaged outlet covers/switch-plates.
- Stove and Oven: clean stovetop, oven, drawer and underneath stove.
- Stove Hood/Vent/Microwave: clean inside, out and under wipe free of dirt/grease/debris. Clean/replace (if needed) filters from vent.
- Refrigerator: (where applicable) wipe clean inside shelving, drawers, and freezer. Remove ice from dispenser in freezer (where applicable) set the ice maker to the off position. Move and clean under and behind refrigerator.
- Dishwasher: run cycle without dishes to clean inside. Be sure to wipe exterior and edges of dishwasher to be clear of food particles/grease/debris.
- Sink: clean/wipe free of food particles/debris.
- Cabinets/Drawers: clean inside and out wipe free of food particles/debris. Remove any shelf paper that is not “stuck” to the cabinets. Older homes may have had a shelf paper that had an adhesive to stick to cabinet shelfs.
- Countertops: clean/wipe free of food particles/debris
DINING AREA/BREAKFAST AREA/DINING ROOM
- Carpets (where applicable) must be professionally cleaned.
- Clean all flooring/walls/doors/baseboards/outlet covers.
- Light fixtures/ceiling fans must be clean, light bulbs replaced if needed.
- Ceiling must be clean/free of webs.
- Windows/Blinds must be clean free of dirt/webs wiped inside & out.
- A/C vents must be dusted and free of debris.
- Replace any missing or damaged outlet covers/switch-plates.
LAUNDRY ROOM/CLOSET
- Carpets (where applicable) must be professionally cleaned.
- Clean all flooring/walls/doors/baseboards/outlet covers.
- Light fixtures/ceiling fans must be clean, light bulbs replaced if needed.
- Ceiling must be clean/free of webs.
- Shelving must be clean/free of debris
- Windows/Blinds must be clean free of dirt/webs wiped inside & out.
- A/C vents must be dusted and free of debris.
- Replace any missing or damaged outlet covers/switch-plates.
- WASHER & DRYER: (where applicable) must be cleaned and wiped free of dirt/debris inside/outside/underneath.
BATHROOMS
- Carpets (where applicable) must be professionally cleaned.
- Clean all flooring/walls/doors/baseboards/outlet covers.
- Light fixtures/ceiling fans must be clean, light bulbs replaced if needed.
- Ceiling must be clean/free of webs.
- Windows/Blinds must be clean free of dirt/webs wiped inside & out.
- A/C vents must be dusted and free of debris.
- Replace any missing or damaged outlet covers/switch-plates.
- Tub/shower must be cleaned.
- Toilets must be clean and wiped free of dirt/debris on the outside as well.
- Sink/vanity: clean/wipe free of dirt/debris, clean cabinets & drawers
PLEASE DO NOT TOUCH UP OR PATCH NAIL HOLES.
The paint could be a different color or sheen and will cause more damage ~ If an entire room needs to be painted please do so in a neutral color or one of the vendors on the list provided can quote to professionally paint