Landlord Must-Haves

 Landlord Must-Haves: A Comprehensive List of Home Supplies for Repair and Maintenance

It's crucial for landlords and renters to have a supply of essential home goods on hand in order to quickly and efficiently handle any repairs or maintenance needs that may arise at your rental property. While it's unnecessary to have every single item on this list at all times, having a well-stocked supply of these items can help you save time and money and ensure that your tenants live in a safe and comfortable home.

Here are some supplies that landlords and renters should consider having on hand for their rental property:

Extra Flooring, Paint, and Tile

Whether you're dealing with a small patch of damaged flooring or a full-scale renovation, it's always a good idea to have extra materials on hand. This includes additional flooring in the same style and color as the rest of the property and a few cans of paint in neutral colors that can be used for touch-ups or complete repainting.

HVAC Filters

Filters for heating and cooling systems should be replaced regularly to keep the system running efficiently and effectively. Extra filters can save you time and money, as you won't have to rush to the store every time a filter needs to be replaced.

Light Bulbs

It's essential to have a supply of light bulbs on hand because they will eventually need to be replaced. Different fixtures may require different types of light bulbs, so it's a good idea to have a variety of bulbs available. For example, you may want to have incandescent bulbs, LED bulbs, and fluorescent bulbs on hand.

Batteries

Batteries are an essential item to have on hand because they are used in various devices and appliances. Common sizes of batteries that you may want to have on hand include AA, AAA, and D. These batteries can be used in items such as remote controls, smoke detectors, and flashlights.

Tools

A basic tool kit should include a hammer, screwdrivers, pliers, and a wrench set. These tools can be used for tasks such as hanging pictures, assembling furniture, and tightening loose screws. It's a good idea to have a variety of sizes and types of screwdrivers, as well as a set of metric and standard wrenches.

Cleaning Supplies

Basic cleaning supplies, such as a vacuum cleaner, brooms, and mops, can be used to keep your rental property clean and well-maintained. You may also want to have a supply of cleaning agents such as all-purpose cleaners, glass cleaners, and toilet bowl cleaners.

Plumbing Supplies

It's a good idea to keep a supply of basic plumbing supplies on hand, such as pipe fittings, washers, and Teflon tape. These supplies can be used for tasks such as repairing a leaky faucet or fixing a clogged drain. Having these supplies readily available can save you time and money if you need to make a quick repair.

Electrical Supplies

A basic electrical tool kit should include wire strippers, a voltage tester, and a variety of electrical tape. These supplies can be used for tasks such as repairing a broken outlet or installing a new light fixture. These supplies are important because electrical issues can be dangerous if not addressed properly.

Final Thoughts.

So, where should you store these supplies? It's generally a good idea to store them on-site in the garage, basement, or attic. This way, they will be easily accessible when you need them.

If you're a property owner or a tenant and you are running low on finances to finance renovations and maintenance of your property, consider the help of Leaf Management. We are a corporation that provides private financing for residential contractors and real estate investors. Contact us today. We are always ready to help.

Renting out Smart Homes

 Problems Associated With Renting Out a Smart Home and How To Solve Them

With the advancements in technology, the use of smart devices, including home security cameras, thermostats, and lighting, is becoming more convenient, secure, and efficient. Installing such technology is easier, and you get to implement the connected devices within the home with a lot of ease to help you efficiently manage the property. However, most of these smart homes are connected to the owner's Amazon and Google accounts, creating a major issue, especially for real estate agents when they are selling such a home. 

Even though smart homes are the best, there are quite a number of problems that are involved. To begin with, the upfront cost when doing the upgrades is generally high, making it hard for some to afford. Also, most of these devices rely on Wi-Fi connectivity, indicating that they will not operate as required when the Wi-Fi connection is weak. When a tenant is moving out of a smart home, it's always up to the landlord to ensure that the devices get disconnected from the tenant's details. 

How to remove or reset smart home devices

As a landlord of a smart home, it's always best that you have plans on how to remove or reset the smart devices in a proper way to avoid any lawsuits. First and foremost, it's advisable that you do a factory reset on all the devices, as it will give you peace knowing that no one else has access. For devices that do not reset, it's best that you delete them. Ensure that you cancel the paid subscriptions that are no longer in use, change the password and delete the old profiles. 

On a high note, considering the above is a great way of unsetting your home's smart devices from your previous tenants' details, making it easy for another tenant to occupy the home or giving real estate agents an easy task when selling the property.

 

https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-un-setup-smart-home/

https://rentprep.com/real-estate/smart-home-for-rental-property/

Signs You Need a New Property Manager

  Signs That Show Your Current Property Manager Isn't Doing a Good Job

 

Managing your property can be stressful, and more often than not, it makes more sense to hire a property manager. It is the best decision if you own a rental property since it allows you to focus on exploring new investment opportunities. You can keep growing your equity or career while your property managers handle things like;

• Finding the best tenants
• Addressing tenant complaints
• Managing rent collection
• Property maintenance and repairs

While your property manager will handle most of the hard work, it's vital to visit your property frequently to evaluate business performance under their watch. If you notice things are not running smoothly, it's a sign that your current property manager is not doing well and it may be time to recall their service. Here are four signs to look out for;

1. Your Property Manager is Too Quiet

Active communication is vital for any business; therefore, you must stay in contact with your property manager. If your property manager is unreachable most of the time, takes too long to answer your calls, or hardly calls you, it's a sign they are not doing a good job.

2. Negative Reviews From Tenants

If your tenants are not happy, they will air out their concerns. A good property manager deals with tenant complaints and issues. Look closely if your tenants keep calling you directly for maintenance and repairs. Your property manager is probably not doing their job.

3. Your Property has been Vacant for a Long Time

A vacant property translates to inconsistent cash flow. A property manager should ensure steady cash flow by keeping your property rented. A rental property should not be vacant for more than a month.

4. Your Property is Poorly Maintained

A property manager must ensure the property is always in top shape and handle repairs immediately. If you visit your property and find it in bad shape, it's a sign your property manager is not doing a good job.

Final Thoughts

A good property manager takes pride in their job and ensures the properties' safety.

When hiring a property manager, look for reliability, skill, professionalism, and positive reviews. Visit our website or contact us to learn more.