Moving into a new home can be a fascinating event. But moving away requires a lot of planning and preparation beforehand. One of the things everyone should do before they move into their new home is to inspect it. Knowing the things to inspect before signing a rental agreement can help you decide whether to rent that home. When you check the house thoroughly, you’ll know its actual state before packing your things. You’ll know whether the home's safe and secure and whether it is worth considering moving into.

Electricity is one of the things to inspect before signing a rental agreement
Faulty electricity in a home can lead to severe problems. A house that doesn’t have good electricity isn’t just annoying. It can also be dangerous. That’s why you should always inspect a home's electricity before signing a rental agreement. Check every light switch and lighting fixture when you examine the house. That will help you see whether there are any problems with the electricity. Afterward, try out the appliances. That will help you see whether there are any problems with the electricity and whether the appliances work. You can ask a professional to inspect the electricity before you sign a rental agreement to ensure there aren’t any problems. 

Inspect the plumbing as well
Another essential thing to inspect before you sign a lease agreement is the plumbing. Not only can plumbing problems be challenging to deal with, but they can cause damage to the property and your things. Mold in the bathroom clearly indicates something is wrong with the plumbing. In addition, mold is one of the most dangerous things for your health that you can find in your rental property. Water damage on the walls or the floor is another way of knowing whether everything is in order with the plumbing. If there are any issues with the plumbing, take care of them before you move to protect your things from water damage. To protect your items during the moving process, experts from Rockstar Pro Movers advise you to use high-quality packing materials to protect them. That will ensure their safety during transport even further. ​

Heating, AC, and ventilation
No matter how great the property is, it can be challenging to live in it if the heating and AC aren’t working correctly. Inspect these things to find a home you’ll feel comfortable in at any time of the year. You won’t have to worry when the seasons and temperatures change. Besides this, make sure to check whether they are clean. A dirty AC and ventilation system can be dangerous for your health. If you notice they are dust-filled, ask the owner to take care of them before you move in. 

Inspect the paint
Before you start planning your move, check out the home's interior. Take a look at whether there are any stains or scratches on the walls. Even if this is something you can live with, knowing that the damage existed before you moved in is essential. You won’t risk losing the deposit after you move out due to the paint damage. Of course, if you notice any water damage to the walls, notify the owner right away. Once the damage is taken care of, you can move in. If you don’t like the color of the walls, ask beforehand whether you can change it. Asking important questions like these will help prevent problems later on. 

Safety and security
One of the most important things about the home you choose is related to its safety. Before you decide whether to rent it, check to see whether it is a safe and secure place to live in. Security cameras and security codes are some of the things to look for. Inside the home, look for a fire extinguisher and fire alarms. If there are fire alarms, inspect whether they are functioning. A carbon monoxide detector is another plus to look for in a home. You can also check out the crime rates for the neighborhood to know how safe the area is. That will help you decide whether to move here or not. 

Take a look at the furniture
Don't overlook the furniture if you want to rent a furnished home. That is one of the most important things to inspect before signing a rental agreement. Inspect whether it is damaged or whether it needs cleaning. That is especially important to do with wooden furniture that may have termites. Bedbugs are another severe problem you need to be on the lookout for. In addition, see whether you have all the furniture you need. The amount of available furniture and storage space will help you determine which property to rent. 

Moving in after signing a rental agreement
Now that you’re done with the inspection planning, it's time to move. Moving can be a little more complicated if you are moving from one state to another. To save money on your interstate move, downsize the number of things you own by decluttering. After you finish decluttering, it’s time to find the right movers and calculate your relocation costs. You can find expert help in the state to help you relocate safely, even from CA to Nevada. To save even more money on your move, pack efficiently. Put similar items together and use every box to its fullest potential. In addition, make sure to secure the boxes and label them. Not only does this make moving more manageable, but it will also make unpacking a breeze. 

To conclude
These things to inspect before signing a rental agreement are crucial. If you don’t inspect the home beforehand, you risk several things. First and foremost, you risk moving into an unfinished home or needing repairs. Things such as plumbing and electricity can cause several different problems if they aren’t in order. And if you are looking to move into a furnished apartment, the state and quality of the furniture will affect how you feel in the space. An inspection is one of the best things you can do to ensure your safety and comfort. It may take a little organization and time, but it will pay off as you can completely relax in your new home. 

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Choosing to let someone live in your rental is always a risk. If they cause considerable property damage, then you’ll definitely fail to turn a profit. In order to avoid this, it’s important to know what questions to ask your prospective tenant’s references.

Do they have any pets or bad habits?
The very first of the questions to ask your prospective tenant’s references is whether they have any pets or bad habits. This is a question you can very easily slot into the conversation, whether you got a personal reference, a work reference, or a reference to one of their previous landlords. The latter, of course, will provide the most reliable information. This is especially important if you are renting to tenants with kids since they can be tempted to try to work around your ban on pets by hiding them from you.

Are they violent or cause problems?
This is another one of the questions to ask your prospective tenant’s references, irrespective of who they are. Friends and family will hesitate to say anything negative about them, but even their hesitation reveals a lot. Naturally, if their boss or previous landlord does reveal a tendency for problematic behavior, you should immediately give up on leasing out your rental to them! Even if they claim the person has changed since then, there’s a chance that they’ll revert to their previous behavior. And you do not want to risk your rental in this manner.

What’s their social life like?
While it may seem like an odd or innocuous question, this is very important. You need to know whether your tenant will feel compelled to organize parties or large social gatherings. While they are not an issue per se, frequent parties or too much alcohol can still lead to serious damage being inflicted on your property. And, if you are renting to roommates, it is doubly sure to check both of their references for this potential pitfall. When people room together, the scale of the social gatherings can grow and increase the potential for your rental to get damaged.

Do they make their payments on time?
This is a question you need to ask the landlords listed on your potential tenant’s references. Their rent payment history immediately reveals whether you will have problems with getting your payments regularly. Of course, some allowances should be made. Running late once or twice over a period of five or six years is more than okay. But, if they have a tendency to run late often, or ask for frequent extensions, then your own budgeting suffers. You won’t be able to rely on their payments, and that might not be something you want to deal with.

What can you tell me about their personality?
This is a question you want to ask the employer or landlord of your potential tenant more so than their friends or family. Family or friends tend to view problematic personality traits far more leniently than they should. A former landlord, however, can attest to the quality of their character more reliably. You do not want to rent out your property to someone confrontational. Or someone who makes an issue out of everything. Once a lease has been signed, you are more or less stuck with them, so make sure they have a personality you can stand for the duration of the lease.

Did they take care of the rental properly?
This is perhaps one of the most important questions to ask your prospective tenant’s references. Of course, the only ones who can attest to this are their past landlords. If they haven’t had a previous landlord, and you have their parents as one of the references, you should ask them about the condition of their room at home. The question may seem humorous, but if answered honestly, it can give you a lot of information. Failing that, you can always ask about their tidiness and cleanliness at work. This, too, can provide you with some insight into how they’ll treat your rental.

Were there any unexpected issues?
We have here another question aimed at former landlords. If they ask for clarification, you can ask if any repairs were suddenly needed due to damage inflicted by the tenant. Some damage can be accidental, such as stains or scratches. However, if they’ve broken an appliance or a piece of furniture, it can hint at something worse, even if it was carefully disguised as an accident. If they have a history of breaking things, you probably want to remove your better furniture and decorative pieces. As the experts from hansenbros.com love to point out, they can stay safe in storage for as long as needed.

Did your other tenants have any complaints about them?
One of the best ways to gauge whether a tenant will be problematic is to ask about the complaints of their neighbors. If their former landlord or neighbor can attest that there were no problems, you can rest assured. If there were a qualified property manager looking after the rentals, they’d also be able to provide a lot of pertinent information on this subject. However, you probably don’t want a combative tenant who might disrupt the lives of your other tenants on your property. ​

Would you let them lease your rental again?
The final of the questions to ask your prospective tenant’s references, if they’re a landlord, of course, is whether they would let them live in their rental again. There is no better way to check whether you want to let them lease out your property. If the answer is no, then even if they’d offered nothing but praise for the tenant previously, you can be assured there was something they’d held back.

Carefully selecting the right tenant for you
By using the questions to ask your prospective tenant’s references well, you’ll be able to find the perfect tenant for your rental! What ‘perfect’ means is different from landlord to landlord, of course. So, make sure to throw in any additional questions you believe are important to you!

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Renting a home can be a fantastic solution for families, but it can come with some challenges. When you have kids, safety and comfort should be at the forefront of your mind when renting a home. So what can you do to make your kids safe and comfortable in a rental? With the help of experienced property managers, we did thorough research, and here's how to adapt your new rental so that your kids feel cozy, safe, and fully comfortable; so, if you're ready to take your rental from drab to fab, get ready to let your imagination run wild! Join us as we explore creative ways to make kids safe and comfortable in a rental so your kids can get creative and be themselves.

How to make your rental safe and comfortable for your kids?
As a parent, ensuring that your kids feel safe and comfortable in their home is of the utmost importance. But what happens when that home is a rental? Renting a home comes with its own set of challenges, especially when it comes to making the space safe and inviting for your kids.​

​If you are a new landlord and don’t know much about renting to tenants with kids, you should check out our article and learn valuable tips.

We all want to live in a safe place, but as a landlord, you are also responsible for maintaining the safety of someone else's home. You also have an obligation to protect your business's valuable assets. You have a legal responsibility to take reasonable precautions to keep your tenants' homes secure because a break-in is upsetting for everyone involved, especially in the case of furnished dwellings. Although it's unsettling to think about, burglaries do happen to people, and ignoring security concerns won't make things better. In order to improve the safety of your rental, you don't have to break the bank, and there are many options available.
 
Secure the door
What is the most important thing you provide to ensure the security of your tenants? If the exterior doors of your building are not secured, burglars and other unwanted guests will have easy access to your tenants and their belongings. Make sure the door locks are working, and the doors are closing properly.
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Deadbolts are a more robust security measure than a doorknob lock alone. It could be a good idea to place a peephole in the door, so your tenants can see who is knocking.

Keep the windows secure
Rental homes may have multiple entry points, including windows. If the windows aren't locked, burglars might easily break into the apartment, especially if it's on the ground floor or second floor.

Make sure that all of the locks on your windows are fully operational and in good condition. Add window bars for your tenants' peace of mind. It's possible that some people will turn down your offer just because of how they look.

Set up smart locks
Smart locks require tenants to enter a PIN to enter their homes. Some people want a key fob in addition to the code for further security. These smart door locks are useful for evicting tenants when their lease is up. To prevent the previous tenants from entering, update the code.

If you frequently lose your keys as a renter, this is a great solution. They need only learn the code once to never be shut out again. You'll also benefit from this excellent news because you won't need to employ a locksmith or grant them entry to your property.
 
Add to or improve the lighting
Having adequate lighting is a simple way to improve the safety of your rental. Safer pathways and more aesthetic outdoor areas are two benefits you can reap from installing automatic lighting. Having a safe rental will usually retain your tenants longer. Look around the rental property after dark to see if there are any areas that could benefit from extra light. Make sure there is sufficient lighting around your home to see everything on the property, even if your tenants don't turn on their outdoor lights. Pathway lighting will ensure the safety of residents walking to and from their homes after dark, and floodlights are an excellent option for lighting the sides of a structure. Think about installing solar panels to cut down on your monthly energy bills.
 
Set up surveillance cameras
Formerly prohibitively expensive security camera installations are now more affordable for homeowners, giving you and your tenants more peace of mind. Tenants are prohibited from installing security cameras inside their unit, although they can be used to monitor the front door, stairwells, and back of the building. Because of this, cameras are effective even when they are not actively recording.

Establish a safety system
A security system is an expensive investment, but it will help you feel protected in your own home. You can find a security system that fits your needs and budget since there are several options to choose from. You also have the option of choosing a home security company. As there are many of them to choose from, you should find an adequate solution to your problems and needs. Door and window sensors, smoke detectors, and motion-detecting lights are all essential components of a comprehensive security system, so keep those in mind while you shop.

DIY security devices are convenient since you can easily set them up and access them from afar. As long as you're connected to the device, probably through an app on your smartphone, you'll be able to use it.  Monitoring costs are usually not too high on a monthly basis, although some tenants may be willing to pay more for peace of mind.
 
Make exit points accessible
One easy way to deter unwanted visitors is to maintain a spotless entrance and exit to your rental home. Trim massive bushes, so they don't block the view of your house from the street. If you're worried about potential criminal activity, you might want to install surveillance cameras at the entrances and exits of your property. By keeping all exits and entryways unobstructed, we ensured that first responders could get to the scene quickly and residents could get out safely.
 
Employ the services of a property manager
Hiring a property manager can give you peace of mind whether your building is empty or occupied because they will be responsible for the building's upkeep and security while you are away. Experts at consumeroponion.org suggest that you look for different providers and services online. A property manager can help with issues like maintenance, problem-solving, and security if you are unable to be physically present at the rental property.

If you want to make sure your rental property is in good shape and improve the safety of your rental, you can ask the property manager to do random inspections on the tenants. They might even show up when the place is deserted to send a message to would-be burglars that someone is keeping an eye on things and using the space.
 
At the end of a lease, collect all keys
Never allow your renters to leave with the keys to your rental property after they have moved out. While your renters may have been reliable and pleasant, you never want extra keys lying around.

You never know where the keys will wind up. When your renters leave, meet with them to inspect the unit and hand over the keys. It may take a few hours out of your day, but it will significantly improve the safety of your rental.
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Keep rent increases consistent and fair
As a landlord, one of the priorities for your rentals is to bring in profit. As such, it’s understandable that, over time, you’ll increase the rent rates to stay profitable. However, prices rising suddenly and by too much can scare off a lot of tenants. Try to keep the increases smaller and introduce them over more extended time periods. Additionally, do market research and justify your reasons for increasing the rent. A good rule of thumb is to keep the rates lower than market rates and implement them slowly. Additionally, experts from Peasley Transfer & Storage advise that, if you do have to turn over a tenant, there are benefits to having a storage unit on standby. A bit of extra space never hurts.

Give incentives for lease renewals
One of the most important ways to raise your tenant retention rate is to give incentives for lease renewals. After all, your tenants renewing their lease means they will stay on your property, which should be a priority. The most effective incentive is, of course, a discount on the rent. However, this isn’t always an option, and you must get creative. For example, you can consider partnering with companies to offer your tenants deals and other similar things. Remember, you need to keep your tenants interested, so whatever offer you make, you need to make sure it’s something they’ll consider.

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Provide quality customer service
No matter how you look at it, customer service is essential for all businesses, and rentals are the same. If your tenants feel heard and valued, they will likely stay on your properties. This starts as early as their move-in date. You must provide all the information your tenant needs to move into the property. From there on, make sure to listen to their requests and worries and reply promptly. If any sort of issue arises, answer them as quickly as possible and see that they’re solved just as quickly. And when dealing with problems or general maintenance, keep your tenants updated on the progress. Remember, everyone likes being heard and valued, and it goes a long way for your tenant retention rate.

Be professional but also personable
Every landlord has measures and punishments for damage to the property, missed payments, and other issues. It makes sense, as they need to enforce the lease rules to stay in business. However, remember also to be understanding with your tenants. For example, if your best tenant happens to miss a payment, try to check in with them. See what the problem is and try to find a solution instead of immediately resorting to punishments.

7 ways to raise your tenant retention rate – wrap up
Landlords need to ensure their tenants stay on their properties to avoid losing profit. Thankfully, there are quite a few easy ways to increase retention rates if you’re willing to put in a little effort. We hope that this list of 7 ways to raise your tenant retention rate helps you out.

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​There is no universal solution to this issue. Many factors come into play if you should install smart technology in your rental property, including the type of rental property you own, the number of units in your building, and the preferences of your tenants. Landlords who want to improve their property's efficiency and the quality of life for their renters may find smart technology a worthwhile investment. But it is essential to weigh the benefits and drawbacks of any smart technology solution before making a choice. Landlords should carefully consider their options because there are many ways to accomplish the same goals without spending money on smart technology.

​How does smart technology function in a rental?
Electronic plug adapters and freestanding sensors are external devices that can provide the same functionality as a system hardwired into the house's structure and managed from a central control panel without requiring installation or rewiring. These home automation systems help people build "smart" homes that can be controlled by an app on a user's smartphone or tablet over a wireless, direct connection.

Builders and investors in the rental market are weighing the pros and cons of installing smart home automation systems to, among other things, attract tech-savvy tenants who are willing to pay higher rents and to more actively manage maintenance, increase security, and prevent property damage. Renters who want smart home features but whose landlord is unwilling to provide them can save money by buying their own devices that won't void the lease or cause damage to the property.
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Now, let’s go over some pros and cons of smart technology in rental properties:
 
Pros:
Safety in the home is enhanced through automation.
If you want to keep an eye on the safety of your property's perimeter and prevent and lessen the impact of structural issues like leaking pipes, then you should set up cameras and sensors. All Season Movers can give you plenty of helpful advice if you're moving to a new, unfamiliar neighborhood. Security systems give tenants peace of mind and assist in preventing unwanted intrusions, but the level of protection they offer depends on the system's design and implementation. For a studio, a door sensor and a smart security camera are enough, but for a bigger home, you may need more sensors to keep track of all the doors and windows.
 
Remember that you are responsible for adhering to all laws and ordinances in your area and protecting the privacy of your tenants. Camera installation in a rental property requires confidence on both sides, whether you are the tenant or the owner of the rental property. The renter needs to know that you won't be sneaking around in their home.
 
Automation of energy
Another reason to install smart technology in your rental property is energy automation. Smart technology can alleviate landlords' concerns about their tenants accidentally leaving lights on or the temperature set too high or too low while they are away at work or on vacation. The smart lighting, thermostat, and plug systems all aim to control the temperature in a room, turn off individual outlets, reduce energy waste, and protect the environment. There is also the option of installing energy monitors, which can help you save money by tracking energy use down to the individual room level and revealing any potential energy leaks.
 
 
Smart instruments can reduce your maintenance costs by hundreds
Water collecting in one spot can become a serious issue soon. Unfortunately, problems that begin anywhere (the basement, a tenant's washing machine, or even beneath their sink) may go undetected for long enough to cause significant harm.
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Smart moisture sensors are affordable, hassle-free insurance coverage that you may install in such areas. With this gadget, you'll be notified as soon as an issue is detected, potentially saving you hundreds of dollars on maintenance. Moisture sensors can be a lifesaver if you own a property with a basement or another potentially hazardous area that isn't monitored or used daily.
 
Cons:
Where do you stand with your online connection?
If your Wi-Fi connection is weak, your smart devices won't be able to do their jobs properly, defeating the purpose and making life more difficult for you. Before installing smart connections, you should make sure that your community has the necessary connectivity to support them.
 
 
Concerns about safety
One of the cons of having smart technology in your rental property is the question of safety. While smart technology has the potential to enhance the safety of a rental property, it also presents its own set of challenges in this area. Theft may occur, for instance, if you're renovating, so renting self-storage can be a great solution for your items. To mitigate this risk, landlords should only deploy smart devices that have been thoroughly researched for vulnerabilities and patched when necessary. In addition to fixing any problems, they should show tenants how to use the equipment correctly.
 
Some risks come with putting smart technologies in rental properties, but you can lessen these risks by taking the proper steps.
 
LEARNING CURVE
There is a learning curve associated with using any technology, and for those who aren't up to date on what's possible in the digital realm, smart technology might seem particularly daunting. Because of this, it might help to have analog options for renters who aren't as good with technology or to choose devices with apps that are easy to use.
 
Numerous high-tech home automation products are currently available. There are benefits and drawbacks to installing smart technology in your rental property. Research the products and manufacturers to find the best fit for your needs before making a purchase. Well-implemented technology may make a landlord's job easier. If you put in the time to learn about your demands and those of your tenants, you'll be able to zero in on some fantastic technological options for your rental home.
 
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