Many people feel that being a landlord is an easy and quick way to earn money. However, they often forget about rental repairs, maintenance, and, in case of difficult tenants, having to constantly fulfill their demands. Another thing landlords have to think about is finding adequate space for keeping extra and backup items. For that reason, we’ve prepared storage tips for landlords. Not only will they help you learn how to keep your belongings in the safest way, but they will also make other tasks you face as a landlord much easier.
Easy storage tips for landlords – ways to use the storage unit
A storage unit is vital to your operations as a landlord. Therefore, the first thing to do is find a quality solution and pick a storage unit that suits all your needs best. An adequate storage unit will be helpful to ensure your property is in a top-notch state. Also, it will be quite useful when you are searching for new occupants or wanting to keep your current ones happy.
Staging your rental to attract “the right” tenants
When renting out a property, you want to stage it so that it looks appealing to the widest range of potential tenants. You want to show prospective tenants how your property can match their lifestyle, how you can fit in different furniture, maximize the space, and how to make their lives easier by creating a functional environment.
The best way to achieve this is to stage your rental in a way that’s seen in show homes. That means going beyond what’s expected and showing your rental’s true potential. For instance, you should show off your kitchen equipment, add different ornaments and wall art to make the space feel more welcoming, and similar. By making your rental look desirable, you’ll increase your chances of finding good tenants.
When trying to stage your rental in the most efficient way, you’ll need a range of furniture pieces and accessories. However, you won’t necessarily leave all of them inside after the contract is signed. You’ll need to keep them safe until it’s time to stage your rental again and search for new tenants. Renting a storage unit is an ideal solution for this.
Providing space in case tenants want to bring their own furniture
Some tenants, usually long-term ones, look for empty rentals and prefer moving in with their own belongings. Even though you have furniture and appliances to provide, they might feel more comfortable using their own things.
In that case, you’ll need to put away your belongings until the next time you need to stage your rental, and renting a storage unit is your best option. Not only will your things be safe, but you can also extend the lifespan of your furniture. Your belongings will be stored in a climate-controlled environment so you’ll be able to prevent deterioration.
Storing bulky items
Sefl storage facilities encourage proper storage practices, so you can be sure your things are safe from damage and decay. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take some precautions, especially if you plan on storing your belongings for longer than a month or two.
Storage tips for landlords – keeping your furniture safe
Here’s how to store your furniture in the best way.
- When storing wooden furniture, you really want to avoid damaging it. The best way to ensure this is to wax and polish your wooden pieces to protect their surfaces. Also, make sure to put blankets, scraps, or carpets between wooden surfaces, as it will help prevent potential scratches. You should also dismantle all possible items and put screws in a bag which you can tape to the item to avoid losing it. That way, you’ll save space.
- When it comes to sofas, you should store them standing upright on their arms. In case they are high-end or fragile, store them on their feet. Don’t forget to add folded blankets beneath the arms. That way, you’ll help them withstand the pressure of their weight and prevent potential damage.
- If you need to store mattresses, make sure to wrap them in plastic coverings. You can find ones specially designed for that purpose in various supermarkets or DIY stores. A good idea is to also check with the storage company you’re renting the unit from, as they can possibly help. By doing this, you’ll help mattresses keep their shape as well as keep them safe from dust or any potential damage.
- If you plan to store gardening equipment such as rakes or lawnmowers or other metal-based items like tools or bicycles, make sure to treat them with a rust inhibitor. A fine coating of oil could do the trick, too. This will help them stay in good condition.
Meeting tenants’ needs quickly
If you didn’t opt for the help of a property management company that will take care of your rental, you would need to be in charge of handling any maintenance issue that might occur. This can get especially difficult if you are renting out more than one property. From needing to change a busted lightbulb to a new TV, you need to be prepared for anything.
The best way to go is to keep spares in your storage unit and have them ready whenever an issue comes up. It’s much easier than going to the store each time. Plus, you’ll surely get a discount when you buy in bulk.
More importantly, you’ll be able to quickly react to your tenants’ requests and handle any issue in the shortest possible time. You will show how efficient you are, which will help you build a good and trusting relationship with your tenants. By knowing they can rely on you to solve their issues swiftly, your tenants will be more likely to stay at your place longer.
The bottom line
We hope our storage tips for landlords made your tasks that much simpler and quicker to handle. To make your life even easier, consider hiring a good property management company. That way, you can sit back, relax and collect your rent while they handle all aspects of your rental.
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If you are looking to rent out your property but not sure where to keep your extra belongings, check out our storage tips for landlords.
Article Courtesy Of: Betty White
Photos used:
https://unsplash.com/photos/ZVkDLrXGMdw
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