Prepping your Property to Rent

The first step in maximizing your investment is presenting it perfectly. Preparing your rental property is essential for attracting high-quality tenants quickly and achieving the highest possible rent. A pristine, well-maintained property not only commands a premium but also sets the right expectations for its next residents.

To help you get started, we've created this comprehensive checklist covering all critical maintenance and cleaning tasks.

Prefer to skip the work? Our team is here to help. We manage dozens of complex property turnover projects each year. Our dedicated Project Manager and in-house maintenance team can seamlessly coordinate every repair, upgrade, and cleaning task.

1. Overall Property

  • Permits: All publicly reported permits for the property must be finalized before a management agreement can be issued (this includes permits with statuses like expired, pending, open, hold, checking, and correction).

  • Paint: Apply fresh paint and fill all nail holes. Repair peeling paint, especially in pre-1978 homes. Provide touch-up paint and color information for future maintenance.

  • Locks: Change all exterior door locks to a matching lock set. Install deadbolts on all exterior doors. Ensure all deadbolts have an interior thumb latch (no double-sided key locks).

  • Doors: Ensure all doors close and latch with ease. Install weather stripping properly to avoid drafts and pests. Remove key locks from interior doors.

  • Alarms: Install Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms per Oregon Law. Provide active alarm codes to management.

  • Breaker Box(es): Make sure the metal doors shut correctly and all breakers are labeled. The panel must properly support the home.

2. Exterior, Grounds & Safety

  • Lawn/Yard: Maintain the lawn. Remove any trash, debris, or old outdoor furniture.

  • Trees/Bushes: Trim bushes and trees away from the roof line and building to prevent pests.

  • Gutters: Ensure gutters are in working condition, cleaned, and free of debris.

  • Surfaces: Sweep or power wash all sidewalks, driveways, patios, and decks. Remove moss buildup from these surfaces, as well as the roof.

  • Walkways: Repair major trip hazards in sidewalks, driveways, and decks.

  • Fences/Gates: Fences and gates must be secure and in working condition.

  • Lights: Exterior light fixtures must be working.

  • Mailbox/Bins: Ensure a mailbox is provided with keys if necessary. Provide and empty trash/recycling/compost bins.

  • Play Structures: Remove any unsafe or aged play structures.

3. Kitchen & Appliances

  • Appliances (General): All mechanical components must be working as designed.

  • Refrigerator: Clean, including the top, rubber gaskets, and vents. Pull out and clean the sides and behind the appliance. Replace damaged or cracked storage parts.

  • Stove/Oven: Install new drip pans. Clean thoroughly, ensuring you lift the lid and remove the drawer to clean underneath.

  • Sink/Plumbing: Clean, remove water stains, and clear slow drains. Have porcelain chips sealed. Ensure hot and cold water work properly with no leaks. Provide a fresh bead of caulking.

  • Electrical: Check GFCI in kitchen areas.

  • Disposal: Ensure the disposal is cleared and the rubber guard is in good condition.

  • Cabinets/Counters: Clean cabinets. Replace warped or missing shelves. Paint or sand to remove heavy grime or chipping paint. Clean grout on counters and install new caulk along the backsplash.

4. Bathrooms

  • Tub/Shower: Clean, remove water stains from faucets, tub, and glass/tile. Remove shower curtains. Provide and ensure tub plugs are working.

  • Sink: Clean and remove water stains from faucets and bowl. Ensure medicine cabinets are cleaned out.

  • Toilet: Clean, including the base. Replace stained/worn toilet seats. The toilet must easily provide a fully cycled flush. Remove bidets.

  • Caulking: Ensure all wet areas have been freshly caulked.

  • Electrical: Check GFCI in bath areas.

  • Fans: Check bath fans for proper operation, clean, and lubricate.

5. Living Spaces & Bedrooms

  • Windows: Windows must function properly for fire exits/egress (stay up without support, open and close with ease). Replace cracked glass. Clean tracks and glass (inside and out).

  • Window Treatments: For privacy, curtain rods, blinds, shades, or glass fogging must be installed on all windows.

  • Light Fixtures: Remove all bugs and dust from fixtures. Ensure fixtures with exposed bulbs have matching color temp.

  • Baseboards: Dust and wipe down all baseboards and base trim.

  • Flooring: Hard surface floors must be fully cleaned and mopped. Wood floors should be finished to prevent splinters or loose boards. Carpets must be professionally cleaned.

  • Closets: Hanging bars must be installed and secure; replace bowed shelving.

6. Mechanical, Laundry & Basement/Garage

  • Furnace/HVAC: All working as designed. Install a new filter and provide additional filters. Vents must be cleaned. Portable AC units should be removed.

  • Water Heater: Check water heater for proper operation and leakage.

  • Washer/Dryer: Clean laundry thoroughly, including rubber gaskets, agitator, and lint traps. Clean out lint buildup in the exterior dryer vent. Dryer hose must be in good condition.

  • Dehumidifier: Install a dehumidifier in all musty rooms/damp basements and set up to automatically drain (no manual dumping).

  • Garage: Sweep and clean thoroughly; remove all personal items. Ensure the space can be secured. Ensure the electronic garage door opener has a working safety sensor. Provide two minimum garage door remotes/keys.