As a landlord, you want your tenants to be comfortable in their rental homes. After all, a happy tenant is a good tenant! Many landlords focus on ensuring their rentals are in good repair and up to code, but there’s more to comfort than just four walls and a roof. You want your tenants to feel at home in their rental, starting with creating a cozy space.
Here are a few tips for making your rental more comfortable and cozy for your tenants:
1. Make sure the temperature is comfortable.
This may seem like a no-brainer, but ensuring your rental home is comfortable for your tenants year-round is essential. In the winter, that means having a working heating system that keeps the house warm. In the summer, it means having a functional air conditioning system to keep the home cool. No one wants to live in a sauna or an icebox, so ensure your rental HVAC system is in good working order.
Some landlords provide space heaters or fans for their tenants, but this is generally not a good idea. Space heaters can be a fire hazard, and fans can be noisy and inconvenient. If your rental doesn’t have central heating or air, consider installing it. Your tenants will thank you!
2. Provide comfortable furniture.
Your tenants will appreciate comfortable furniture in their rental homes. If you’re furnishing the house, choose comfortable and stylish pieces. Sofas, chairs, and beds should be comfortable to sit or sleep in, and coffee tables, end tables, and dining room tables should be the right size for the space.
Of course, some landlords don’t provide furniture for their tenants. If this is the case, ensure the home has plenty of built-in storage so tenants can bring in their own furniture. You can also provide a furniture rental allowance in the lease agreement. This way, your tenants can choose their own furniture, and you don’t have to worry about it.
3. Think about the walls.
The walls of your rental home significantly impact the overall feel of the space. If the walls are bare, they can make the space feel cold and unwelcoming. If the walls are covered in dark colors, they can make the space feel small and cramped. And if the walls are covered in bright colors, they can make the space feel loud and busy.
Consider hiring commercial painting services to make your rental more comfortable and cozy. They can help you choose the right colors for the space and paint the walls in a way that makes the home feel more inviting. Painting is relatively inexpensive compared to other home improvement projects and can make a big difference in the overall feel of your rental.
4. Add some homey touches.
Little things can make a big difference when making a rental feel like home. A few throw blankets and pillows, some wall art, and some greenery can go a long way. These touches can make your rental feel warm, inviting, and cozy.
Of course, you don’t want to go overboard with these homey touches. You don’t want your rental to feel too cluttered or personal. A few well-placed items are all you need to make a rental feel like home. You can even ask your tenants what homey touches they’d like to see in their rental. Let them help you make the space their own!
5. Let in some light.
Many renters appreciate ample natural light in their homes. If your rental doesn’t have a lot of windows, consider adding some. You can also install light fixtures to brighten up the space. Just be sure not to go too overboard with the lighting. You don’t want your tenants to feel like they’re living in a nightclub!
In addition to brightening up the space, natural light can make a rental feel more spacious. If your rental feels small and cramped, let in some light to make it more open and airy. You’d be surprised how much of a difference it can make.
6. Make sure the home is clean.
Finally, of course, you’ll want to make sure your rental home is clean. No one wants to live in a dirty, dusty, or cluttered space. Before your tenants move in, hire a professional cleaning service to clean the home from top to bottom. This will give your tenants a fresh start in their new homes.
You should also have a cleaning schedule for your tenants. This will help them keep the home clean and tidy during their stay. You can include the cleaning schedule in the lease agreement, so there’s no confusion about who is responsible for what.
Making your rental homes comfortable and cozy for your tenants doesn’t have to be complicated. By following these simple tips, you can make your rental feel like home in no time. Your tenants will appreciate your efforts, and they’ll be more likely to renew their lease agreements.
