Is your home ready to rent?
Many property owners are first time landlords and are not clear on what they need to do to get their house ready to rent out. To ease this transition, we have come up with guidelines for you regarding what should be done to the home. We have adopted this list from HUD and most are also legally required in order to rent your property.
- Electrical Cover Plates- Must not be missing or damaged
- Smoke Detectors- The legal requirement is for 1 functioning detector per bedroom/sleeping place. They may be hard-wired or battery operated
- Carbon Monoxide Alarm- Legally required on all units that have fossil fuel burning heaters, appliances, fireplaces, or attached garage. So unless your home is all electric, with no fireplace/woodstove, and no attached garage you must have a functioning carbon monoxide detector. One is required on each floor for homes with multiple levels.
- Range- Ovens and all stove burners must be in working condition and all control knobs must be present. Ranges manufactured after 1991 must have anti-tip bracket installed.
- Toilet- Must be tightly attached to the floor and no leaks
- Sink Drains- Must not leak
- Windows- No cracked or broken windows. Must have locks
- Water Heater- Must have a temperature and relief valve with properly installed discharge valve. Earthquake straps required on upper and lower 1/3 of the tank. This is an item that we frequently find missed when we complete inspections and must be taken care of.
- Floor Coverings- Must not present a tripping hazard. No loose seams or edges.
- Light Fixtures- Globes/coverings on all light fixtures – interior and exterior.
- Doors- Deadbolts are required on all exterior doors. Door guides required on all sliding closet and shower doors. No keyed locks on interior doors and no double keyed locks on entry doors.
- Utilities- All utilities should be left on while property is vacant. We will provide the new tenants with instructions/contact information on which utilities need to be switched into their names. We do require proof that this has been completed before we turn possession of the property over to the new tenants.
- Address- Must be visible from the street.
By ensuring this list is completed, you will greatly reduce the rate of maintenance and complaint calls from tenants when they move in to the property. If you are unable to complete this list on your own, we can give you recommendations for handymen, contractors, etc. and can also help to coordinate with the vendors to make sure it is completed.
Feel free to contact us if you have any questions or concerns at all.
Thank you for choosing Amador County Property Management!