Appliances in a Rental Property | Caring For and Maintaining Your Investment

February 24, 2023

Rental Property Owners who provide appliances to their tenants are taking a big step to ensure their tenants have a comfortable and enjoyable living experience. These appliances can be as simple as a refrigerator, stove, or washing machine or more complex items like a dishwasher, air conditioner, or clothes dryer. Having these appliances available to tenants can make a big difference in the quality of life for those living on the property. Not only does it make living in the property more convenient, but it can also help save tenants money in the long run as they won’t have to purchase and maintain their own appliances.

Investing in quality appliances for your tenants helps you to maintain a competitive edge and, in turn, results in higher rents. Unfortunately, not everyone will treat your investment with the same care that you would. While it is impossible to watch tenants 24/7, it’s important to understand which appliances are prone to damage and when you can expect to replace them.

We’ve covered a few of the top appliances and how you can make the most of your investment.

Refrigerator

The refrigerator is one of the most common pieces of rental property that tends to receive damage. Refrigerators can experience a number of issues, from dents and scratches to water damage and even potential issues with the compressor. Most refrigerators are designed with a life span of 10-20 years, so if it’s an older model, it may be due for an upgrade.

Here are some things that tenants can do to increase the lifespan of the refrigerator with minimal issues:

Keep Things Dust Free. Always ensuring that the refrigerator is clean and remains free of dust will help to keep the compressor running smoothly. This can be accomplished by vacuuming the coils, and wiping down the interior and exterior surfaces of the fridge. Additionally, keeping the fridge away from heat sources and pulling the unit from the wall to maintain a safe distance will keep the fridge from working too hard.
Overstuffing. Poor circulation in a refrigerator and freezer comes from packing the units to the max. It is a great idea to notice where the interior fans are and ensure that your groceries are not blocking any of them. This will help prevent the motor from overworking and burning out too quickly.

Dishwasher

Another appliance that often requires attention is the dishwasher. Dishwashers can suffer from various issues, including clogged drains, rusting, and issues with the heating elements. Dishwashers tend to last around 9-12 years, and here are some things you can do to make the most of this handy appliance:

Clean the Filter Regularly. Clean the filter regularly to ensure that food particles and other debris aren’t clogging up the system.
Don’t Overload. Overloading the dishwasher can cause the system to run inefficiently and can cause it to overheat, leading to damage.
Run a Cycle with Vinegar. Running a cycle with a cup of vinegar every few months can help to reduce the buildup of limescale, rust, and other materials.

Stove

Stoves usually last around 12-15 years with the proper care and attention. If you’re renting a home with an older model, it’s important to keep an eye on it. There are a few tried and true ways to keep your unit in tip-top shape for many years.

Keep it Clean. Make sure to clean your stove and oven regularly to remove any grease or residue that can build up over time. Be sure to use a stove/oven safe cleaner to ensure that you are not damaging the cooktop or interior of the unit. Cleaning the drip pans often. Further, be sure to check the door seal. This keeps the oven from working overtime and protects the heating elements.
Regularly Inspect the Burners and Heating Elements. A quick once-over at least twice per year will help to address any functionality issues.

Washer & Dryer

Washers and dryers typically last around 10-15 years , so it’s important to be mindful of the age if you’re providing these appliances to renters. Staying on top of regular maintenance will ensure that your washer and dryer have a long and productive life.

Don’t Overload. One of the most common maintenance issues with a washing machine is that they can go off balance from time-to-time. Filling the unit with the proper amount of laundry and not overloading will help to prevent this.
Clean the Vents. Ensure that the venting of the dryer is cleaned out at least twice a year and that the lint trap is emptied after each use.
Inspect the Water Hoses. It’s important to ensure that the water supply hoses are inspected every six months and replaced every five years.

It’s important for landlords to plan for wear and tear in a rental property. Regularly inspecting the flooring and appliances, as well as establishing a preventative maintenance plan, can help reduce the need for repairs and replacements. By taking the time to plan ahead, landlords can save time and money in the long run.

In Conclusion, here at RentWise Property Management, our entire focus is providing a positive experience for both our residents and our property owners. We complete Bi-Annual Inspections on every property we manage so that we can get ahead of any concerns. To learn more about our property management services, visit us at www.rentwisepm.com

Maximizing Value | 3 Ways A Professional Property Management Company Can Save You Time & Money

October 27, 2022

You’ve decided to turn your property into a rental home. Hooray! Self-managing your rental properties may often seem like an easy task & a good idea.

However, you may soon realize that managing a rental property involves a TON of work and a time commitment many investors do not have. When you decide to self-manage, essentially, you become the “everything” person. What does that mean? You have officially been promoted to the landlord, marketing professional, photographer, maintenance coordinator, emergency contact, tenant screener, document preparer, accountant, and legal liaison. Whoa.

You may feel as though you are maximizing your passive income profits by not spending the extra money for professional help. However, there are costs associated with bringing in professionals; trying to handle everything yourself could cost you money. Rental Properties can be an excellent source of income. Here are three ways hiring a professional property management company can take some of the burdens off the investors.

Marketing + Finding High-Quality Tenants For Your Rental

Professional property managers are well-versed in how the local rental markets perform, vacancy trends, and average rents collected. When you do business with a property manager, you hire their skill sets to help get your rental tenanted quickly. Your property manager may provide recommendations on upgrades or potential maintenance that needs to be completed to get your property ‘rent ready’. Additionally, your property management team will be able to advise you on suggested appropriate rents for your area and will assist in maximizing your return on investment. Further, your property manager will have access to countless marketing tools, such as the company’s website, professional business pages, the MLS, and social media.

Once you have found a potential tenant, you must adequately screen and vet them to ensure they have the ability to pay rent, have a clean background, and are not scammers. Many property owners have little experience in screening tenants and often do not have the tools to complete proper background qualification checks legally. Professionals have proven processes in place to work quickly and efficiently screen tenants. Not only does this give you back some of your time, but it also creates the opportunity for quality tenants to remain in your home long-term.

One aspect of owning a rental property you may not have considered is federal, state, and local landlord-tenant laws. When accepting applications and screening potential tenants, you must comply with all regulations to avoid legal turmoil. Your property management team remains trained and up-to-date on all current regulations, such as fair housing and discrimination laws. This expertise also comes in handy if an unfortunate eviction were to occur. There are many processes and procedures involved with carrying out an eviction. Removing a tenant is never a good feeling, but having a trusted team of experts on your side can ease some of the anxiety associated.

Maintenance & Repairs

It’s 2:00 AM, your phone rings, and it’s your tenant with an emergency. You’re traveling across the country and cannot get to the property for several days. Additionally, you do not have a list of reliable and licensed contractors available to perform quality repair work. This sounds like every investor’s nightmare, right? One of the largest perks of working with a property management company is having someone on your team 24/7 to address any maintenance concerns immediately.

Additionally, experienced property managers can resolve issues quickly as they have access to teams of trusted vendors. This means that you, as the investor, that you no longer have to answer any tenant maintenance requests directly. Many property management companies also have preventative maintenance programs. These programs can include routine maintenance inspections with the hope that any small issues are caught early before evolving into larger, more costly problems. This allows peace of mind for the property owner and affords the opportunity for major systems in their properties to be checked regularly and maintained.

The right property management team looking out for your property will save you time and money. You will no longer have to stress and coordinate maintenance repairs, no matter how serious the issue may be.

Rent Collection + Lease Enforcement

Time is money. It is no secret that sometimes collecting rent from your tenants can be a challenge. Property Managers are responsible for preparing a lease agreement and enforcing the standards once a new tenant signs for a property.

Property Managers assist with making rent collection easier and seamless for everyone in some of the following ways:

Offering convenient ways for your tenants to pay their monthly rent
Explain the rent collection process to new tenants so that they thoroughly understand the process and their obligations under their lease agreement.
Discussing the consequences and outlining the process for non-payment of rent, late fees, and potential eviction
Your property manager will handle the legal procedure for eviction and stand behind you in court to help recover any costs related to a non-paying tenant.

Additionally, outside of monthly rent requirements, when a tenant signs a lease on a property, they are signing a contract to abide by the standards set forth by the property manager.

A few situations that will be outlined in a lease agreement are:

Pet Policy
Security Deposits
Rent Payments
Notice of Entry
Subletting and Roommates
Parking Policies
What’s Included in the Lease- utilities, appliances, pest control, etc.
Repairs and Maintenance
Insurance Requirements
Process for Addressing Violations

There are many ways that Property Managers enforce the standards of a lease agreement. Many will have processes put in place for quarterly, biannual, and annual check-ins to ensure that the legal requirements of the lease are being met.

Closing

Hiring the right property manager is essential to your success while owning an investment property. It will not only save you time and money, but it will ensure that you are PROTECTING your investment long term.

If you are looking for a property management company to help save you time and money, RentWise Property Management would love to connect with you!

Reducing vacancies, avoiding a bad eviction process, or handling a major repair request more than makes up for the cost of investing in a professional property manager. We guarantee our best practices and ethical standards are unmatched. We are dedicated to creating relationships with clients, tenants, and vendors to make owning an investment property easier and more profitable.

Amenities & Tenant Safety | Tips For Child-Proofing Your Rental Property

October 12, 2022

It’s no secret families with children and pets are ideal long-term tenants. Once families begin to expand, it is difficult for them to unnecessarily move from one place to the next every year or so. Recent statistics show that families generally stay put on average for three years. Those are great odds for rental property investors.

When searching for their next home, families typically have a few key points at the front of their minds. Location, schools, and safety are huge components of any home search. While thinking about safety, many property owners don’t consider that this can mean a child-proofed home for their prospective tenants. This often overlooked amenity can be a huge selling point when a family is viewing at home. If you’re looking to keep your vacancy rate low, there is no better way than to keep your tenants happy. And what better way to appeal to families than to protect their loved ones? More amenities and attention to detail equals a higher monthly rent, which in turn will boost your monthly passive income.

If you’re unsure where to start in the child-proofing game, you’re in luck. We’ve put together a short list of easy ways you can implement safety features into your rental property.

Windows + Window Treatments

Many rental properties have window coverings, or blinds, with long pull strings that can hang low to the ground. This makes it easy for young children to get tangled in the cords, and unfortunately, small children have died from strangulation. Many state legislatures are fighting to outlaw corded blinds in homes.

If you are looking for a great way to dip your toes into the child-proofing game without making it obvious, installing cordless blinds at your rental is a beautiful place to begin. They are visually appealing and are constructed infinitely better.

If you do not have the budget to overhaul every window treatment, there are still steps you can take to enhance safety around the blinds.

Install a small hook where the cord can be tied up and out of reach of a child or pet
Provide curtain cord covers that clip any excess cord from the blind

Additionally, ensure that the windows in your rental are secure and that the locks are in good working order. Inspecting the stability of the window panes and screens will eliminate the risk of a window falling on a child.

Electrical Outlet Covers

Once babies are on the move, there is no stopping them from exploring anything and everything they can get their hands on. Electrical outlets are no exception. Electrical outlets are a magnet for little fingers due to being eye level with a little tot. Babies and toddlers are infamous for wanting to touch outlets and stick their fingers and/or toys into the little sockets.

To protect against accidents, installing outlet covers is one of the easiest child-proofing measures you can take. There are many different options, all of which do not affect the functionality of the outlet. While this is a very inexpensive and easy fix, saving the tenant the hassle of doing it themselves is a huge bonus in showing that their landlord cares enough to take care of it for them.

Pools

If your investment property has a pool, there are steps that you must take to make accidental drowning a non-issue for tenants with children. Child-proofing the pool area will provide value for prospective tenants and protect your liability as the owner should an accident occur. Peace of mind is priceless for parents who not only want to provide a fun space for their children that is safe.

Signage. Post signs on how the pool should be used, maximum occupancy, and any emergency directions.
Pool Surroundings. Your property’s pool should have a fence with a tall, locked door that will prevent children from swimming unattended. The fence should be tall enough that even the most agile kiddos cannot climb over and sneak in.
Pool Covers. When looking at safety, there are many different options for pool covers. To protect the integrity of the pool, you may opt for a hardcover, which also can withstand a person’s weight. Another option is netting, specifically designed to securely stretch across a pool and eliminate the risk of drowning if someone falls in.
Pool Alarm. Designed to sound a loud alarm when the pool water is disturbed, this feature may make parents feel safer about having their child living in a home with a pool.

Falls

Not every rental property is one-story, and it is imperative to consider fall risks and safety when child-proofing a home.

Inspect the stability of all fences and railing to ensure that nothing is loose.
Be sure that balcony fencing does not have a wide enough space where a child could slide through.
Ensure the railing is tall enough that a small child cannot fall over the edge.

Other Considerations

While we have hit on some of the significant items, there are still many things you do to up your child-proofing game.

Install cabinet locks
Add child-proof door locks to all exterior doors
Install removable, walk-through gates at the top and bottom of each staircase
- Encourage your tenant that they are welcome to do the same
Add hand railings to exterior stairs and porches to discourage falling
Install appliance locks and appliance anchors to ensure that they cannot fall if a child climbs on them
Add rubber bumpers to sharp corners and edges

Going that extra mile to provide safety precautions and thus some childproofing strategies can positively affect your potential tenant’s family’s desire to lease your investment property.

If you have more questions or you want to find out more about our services and how you can have LESS HASSLE. MORE HAPPY when it comes to owning an investment property; visit our website at www.rentwisepm.com or give us a call at 208-949-3083.

3 Tips To Protect Your Vacant Rental Property

September 14, 2022

Do you own a rental property in the Treasure Valley in Idaho?

The overall vacancy rate between Ada & Canyon counties is at an all-time low of 1.67%! Although the vacancy rate is historically low, your rental property will become vacant at one point or another.

However, you may not have considered that a vacant home is a desirable target for thieves, crime, and vandalism. Empty homes are the easiest to break into without anyone noticing. Property damage from a break-in will likely be costly. Stolen plumbing, appliances, broken windows, and property damage can eat away your property’s profitability quickly. It will also take time to repair the damage so that it is livable again. There are several vital steps that you can take to ensure that your investment is protected and able to be rented as soon as possible.

Protecting Your Vacant Rental

1. Create The Appearance Of Activity

Increase Lighting- Keeping a vacant property well-lit is a considerable deterrent for those lurking. Installing motion-activated exterior lights on the front and back of the property is a great start. Further, having timed lights on the interior and exterior of the home will create the illusion that there is a resident in the home. If lights are kept on 24-7, it can quickly become evident to a criminal that there is no movement at the home.
Window Coverings- If you haven’t already invested in blinds or curtains, a vacancy is a perfect time to have those installed. Anyone can visit a property and look in a window; if it is apparent that the property is empty, this is an open invitation to crime. Covered windows can create the illusion that someone is home.
Maintain Landscaping- Overgrown and unkempt landscaping is the first sign that no one is living at a property. If your home is vacant and between tenants, landscaping will be a top priority to increase curb appeal. Further, keeping the lawn mowed and trimming shrubs and trash out of the yard will deter unwanted visitors.

2. Regularly Inspect The Property

Check Locks & Doors- Continue maintaining the home’s security by checking for broken doors and windows and ensuring that all locks are functioning correctly.
Remove Mail & Packages- Porch shoppers will quickly notice if there are boxes at the door. Additionally, if the mailbox is overflowing, this is a surefire indication that no one is home.
Visit the Property- If you are self-managing your rental and are local, visit your property regularly. However, be sure not to visit at the same time, as this will show a pattern. Thieves are sneaky and notice these small nuances when targeting a property.
Hire a Third Party to Inspect the Home- If you are not local or don’t have the time to dedicate to frequent visits, you may consider hiring a trusted third party to inspect the home. Experts such as TaskMasters Idaho will offer convenience and peace of mind to handle your vacant home inspections. A third-party inspector will enter the property frequently, test all doors, locks, and plumbing, and look for signs of forced entry.

3. Hire a Property Manager

It would be best if you were using one of Boise’s most-trusted property management companies. If you have potential tenants contacting you directly regarding your available vacant rental, be mindful of how much information you share. Your property manager can handle the many facets of protecting your vacant property and getting it tenanted quicker. Some of the details that your professional property manager will take of are:

Screening Tenants- Property Managers are skilled at screening potential tenants and spotting a scam. If you are inexperienced, you may disclose specific details regarding your vacant property to a stranger, which could set your home up for a break-in.
Marketing Your Property– The easiest way to eliminate vacancy concerns is to place great tenants in your property. Your property manager has access to a much more extensive network and will begin marketing the property immediately.

Final Thoughts

Owning a rental property in a place such as the Treasure Valley offers extremely low vacancy rates. Tenants are staying put and leasing properties for more extended periods. However, all rental property owners will experience a vacancy as tenants move from time to time. Additionally, considering the above tips, your vacant rental property will remain better protected. Further, staying proactive will lower the risk of costly damages due to theft, vandalism, or a break-in.

RentWise Property Management is committed to your success while owning an investment property. Investing in our services will not only save you time and money but will offer peace of mind that you are PROTECTING your investment long-term.

What is a Maintenance Emergency? | Your Guide to Identifying Emergency vs Routine Maintenance Requests

August 31, 2022

Undoubtedly, living at any property, you can expect things to break from time to time. Do you know what is considered an emergency maintenance situation? Sometimes, it can be undeniable in situations such as a severely leaking roof causing it to rain outside and inside your home. This certainly qualifies as an emergency, and requests must be submitted quickly. Other times, it may seem unclear as to what needs urgent attention. What if your oven stops working? Or your air conditioner isn’t cooling the home? Are these emergencies? What is considered an enormous inconvenience and emergency to a resident may not be an emergency when looking at the bigger picture. But, how can you identify an emergency or not? First, it is always a good idea to pull out your lease and read maintenance requests’ verbiage. Emergency maintenance may be identified as fire, flood, uncontrollable water, backed up sewer, electrical problem endangering life, or smell of gas. None of that sounds like fun. Let us break down a few situations that may fall under an emergency.

Emergency Maintenance

A maintenance emergency is something that, if it isn’t remedied immediately, could cause injury, pose a health threat, or cause severe property damage.

A few examples of maintenance emergencies can include:

A sewer back-up if it is flooding your home
A fire that is unable to be put out with your in-home fire extinguisher
The smell of gas / broken gas line / or suspicion of a gas leak (natural gas has an identifiable smell of rotten eggs)
Your roof is leaking and causes flooding and damage to the interior of the home
A broken pipe, waterline, or flooding inside your home
Air conditioning not working in sweltering weather
Furnace not heating home in frigid weather
Other electrical issues that, if not immediately repaired, could result in lasting damage, such as a fire

Routine Maintenance

Every maintenance issue is not an emergency. For example, if you have a leak from your toilet that is minor and can be contained with a bucket or some towels, this is considered a routine maintenance issue but not an emergency. Furthermore, a small leak, while annoying, would be considered a routine maintenance request.

Here are a few examples of situations where you can submit a routine maintenance request:

Your dishwasher isn’t properly draining
The garbage disposal is buzzing
There’s no hot water
Your stove burner won’t light or heat up
You have a clogged drain
Your ceiling fan stopped working
Your refrigerator is not cooling quickly
Your HVAC system isn’t heating or cooling in weather above 50 and below 90 degrees

Troubleshooting Maintenance

Many landlords and property managers expect their tenants to troubleshoot some issues before submitting a routine maintenance request. This isn’t because your maintenance team doesn’t want to help. Sometimes, things can be easily remedied with a quick DIY and will save you and the maintenance team time to tend to larger issues.

Below you will find detailed instructions on how to mitigate small maintenance issues in your home:

1. Smoke Detector won’t work when tested: Test with approved smoke detector smoke spray and replace the battery.

2. Smoke Detector beeps: Replace the battery and check for proper wire termination connection.

3. No power to plugs or switches: Check and reset breaker panel or replace blown fuses. Check and rest all GFI outlets (located in the kitchen, bathrooms, utility rooms, and garages). Check if the plug works off a wall switch.

4. Garbage disposal doesn’t work: When on, do you hear a buzz? If you do not hear a buzz, hit the reset button on the bottom of the disposal and test. If you hear a buzz, turn off the disposal and unplug it from the wall. Mounted on the side of the disposal or side of the cabinet is an Allen wrench. Put the wrench in the center shaft and twist back and forth (this un-jams the disposal). Remove the object, turn it back on, and test. Repeat until the object is removed.

5. No hot water: Check the thermostat on the tank for proper temperature setting. Check that thermostat is not set to “vacation.” Check and reset the breaker in the power panel. Check and reset the button next to the thermostat.

6. Hot water is too hot: Check the thermostat on the tank and turn it down.

7. Plumbing or fixtures leak: Turn off the water fixture, turn off the water at the supply line and notify Landlord immediately.

8. Toilet is plugged: Plunge and test.

9. No heat: Check the thermostat. Check that furnace covers are in properly. Check that a switch that looks like an ordinary light switch is turned on (located in or near the furnace room). Did you pay or disconnect the utility? Clean and replace filter and test.

10. Dishwasher won’t drain clean food out of the bottom of the dishwasher.

11. Dishwasher grinds or no water is coming in. Turn off; if there is no water on the bottom, pour two large glasses of water into the bottom and re-start. If the problem continues, call Landlord and discontinue use.

12. Refrigerator too warm or too cold: Check thermostat in the refrigerator is set correctly.

13. Water drips from the freezer to the refrigerator compartment. Remove all food and store it in a cooler. Turn off the refrigerator and allow it to defrost. Turn the refrigerator back on and replace food.

14. No Air Conditioning: Check all circuit breakers. Clean and replace filter and test.

Filing a Maintenance Request

Do not avoid maintenance requests! Although, some tenants feel as though they don’t want to bother their property manager with maintenance requests, so they don’t notify anyone. Any maintenance request that the property management team is responsible for should be filed as soon as possible. Further, if you fail to submit a maintenance request and the issue has escalated, resulting in damage to the property, you may be held responsible for any damages for neglecting to turn it in. A small issue now could turn into an emergency if it isn’t handled properly.

Additionally, if you have noticed an issue but are unsure of how to proceed, reach out to your property manager! Likewise, they will be glad to hear from you and can direct you toward a solution or suggestion. Your property manager will be able to explain if your issue is considered an emergency or routine maintenance.

Furthermore, if your property manager utilizes online maintenance requests, be certain to familiarize yourself with the platform. Undoubtedly, knowing how to submit a request will make your life less stressful should a maintenance issue arise.

At RentWise Property Management, we promise that we make every effort to act in our client’s best interests in every situation.

Interested in learning more about our services and how we can provide you with this type of service? RentWise Property Management. Less Hassle. More Happy.

SW Idaho NARPM | Q2 2022 Vacancy Survey Results

August 17, 2022

Have you ever wondered how to gauge the vacancy rate of a particular market? Further, have you ever wondered what the vacancy rates are based on the type of property you invest in? Well, you are in luck if you are investing in the Treasure Valley! Each quarter the NARPM Southwest Idaho Chapter conducts a vacancy survey with data sourced from local property management companies!

The Southwest Idaho Chapter of the NARPM(National Association of Residential Property Managers) has released its findings from the 2022 Q2 Vacancy and Rental Trends survey. The report is as of June 30, 2022. This survey tracks key performance indicators and market trends for single and multi-family homes across the Ada and Canyon County region. There are a total of 5,364 units managed between the counties, with a total of only 89 vacancies.

Q2 Vacancy Survey Results

The rental market has seen some very intriguing trends this quarter! The number of vacancies decreased by 152 units. The 2nd quarter of 2022 closed out strong with a market vacancy rate of 1.66%. The data collected indicates that vacancy rates have decreased significantly down by 28.75% from the 1st quarter of 2022! This is exciting news as it shows that the rental market in the Treasure Valley is as hot as ever.

Rental Rates

Ada County single-family rental rates decreased this quarter by an average of $81.00 per unit per month. The overall marketed rent rate for the combined single and multi-family comes in at $2,004 per month. To compare, that is a $325 or 19% increase per month based on the Q2 2021 Vacancy Survey.

Canyon County rental rates showed a larger increase in the second quarter of 2022 than the first. The rental rates for single-family homes showed an average monthly increase of $180. This puts the average rental rate at $1,927 per month. The current data illustrates that rental rates in Canyon County come in lower for both single and multi-family properties.

Rental Rate Comparison By County

Here are some of the key metrics for review that are broken down by respective counties.

Stay tuned for the Q3 survey results that will be coming out later this year. If you have more questions about how we can help maximize the return on your investment property or would like more information about our services and how owning an investment property can be LESS HASSLE, MORE HAPPY, give us a call at 208-949-3083!