Being a property owner can be pretty exciting—you get to spiff up the place according to your tastes or even earn passive income from it by having it rented out. Renting it out to tenants comes with its own set of concerns, however, as you will have to make sure that your space is properly cared for and kept in its original condition.

While this can be difficult, as wear-and-tear is to be expected, there are ways to make sure your tenants cause only minimal disruption to your property, if any. Not only will you cut down on maintenance costs, but you’ll save yourself a lot of stress from having to deal with repairs.

To help you out, here are a few tips to make sure your property remains in good condition:

Screen Your Tenants Thoroughly

The first step to maintaining the spotless state of your property is to select the right tenant, of course! Thoroughly assess your tenants through a rigorous interview and solid background check. Look for any prior references from previous landlords, eviction records, any history of violence, or any questionable behaviours that could complicate their stay.

Getting to know your potential tenant will help you gauge whether or not they’ll take proper care of your property. Past behaviour is also often indicative of future behaviours, which is why your interview with them is an opportune chance to identify harmful conduct before it damages your property.  

Keep Your Property in a Pristine State

While this goes without saying, always making sure your property is immaculate—especially when a tenant first moves in—is important. They’ll feel obliged to maintain the cleanliness and orderliness of the property throughout their stay, especially since they’ll be liable for any damages they cause.

Otherwise, if your property looks unkempt, your tenants won’t be encouraged to clean it up and maintain it. It also gives the impression that you, as a landlord, don’t care for your properties, which can affect your relationship in the long run.

Charge a Security Deposit

Asking for a security deposit reminds tenants that they need to keep your property clean and in good condition—else, they won’t receive their security deposit in full. It’s an incentive for them to treat your property with respect, mainly to receive their security deposit back in full once their lease expires.

The deposit should be a reasonable amount—nothing too low, because this won’t motivate your tenant as effectively, but nothing too exorbitant either. For good measure, a considerably high-valued security deposit should be enough of a safeguard to make sure your property stays well-maintained.

Inspect Your Property Regularly

Dropping by regularly to check up on your tenants shows them that you’re completely earnest about maintaining your property and prioritizing its upkeep. Constantly inspecting your property also reveals any potential damages to your unit caused by the tenant or any repair that needs to be done immediately. This will also encourage your tenant to actively take care of your property in preparation for your visits.

Have a Clear Pet Policy

Some tenants have furry friends they’d like to bring to your property. If you’re a pet lover yourself, then you understand the implications of having an indoor pet. While they bring love and companionship to their owners, they can also cause damages. By having a clear pet policy, you can state which pets are acceptable to keep and which are not. Be as specific as you can—even down to the size of the pet and amount of training required. Lastly, make sure they adhere to your policies!

Conclusion

Having a communicative and healthy relationship with your tenant is key to keeping your property in good condition. Clearly communicating your policies and standards, while setting an example for them to follow, will help eliminate much of the stress of being a property owner. Not only will your property remain attractive and clean, but you’ll save a lot of money on repairs too!

Fahel & Co is a property management firm in Ottawa, Canada. We help Ottawan property owners maintain their spaces while providing the highest quality for them and their tenants. Have a property we can help you with? Contact us today and we’ll see what we can do for you!

‍