Advertisement

Making the decision to rent out your apartment can often be a complex experience. There are many hurdles to clear, from components such as rental agreements, hiring a leasing agent, and meeting your legal and tax obligations. However, a few small things can go a long way to attracting a better quality tenant and a higher weekly rent, helping to keep your apartment to a high standard. This can help when tenants move out, or if you choose to divest your property investment down the track. Here are some of the key elements to keep in mind when you rent out your apartment, and how they can potentially make a world of difference to prospective tenants. Make Sure Everything’s Fixed First things first - make sure your fixtures and fittings are in good, quality order. Ensuring that the locks are changed with a locksmith in Preston is just one element - do a walkthrough of your apartment, and note features of concern - such as dripping taps, chipped paint, or malfunctioning appliances such as dishwashers. Don’t just take note of the issues that matter to you, though - list all of the issues that could arise. A bit of pre-planned maintenance to deal with issues such as mould, or updating the air conditioner, can go a long way to improving the quality of your apartment and drawing higher rents from potential tenants. Ensure the Property is Clean Nobody likes a dirty household, even more so when you’re renting an apartment. Things such as dirty carpets, stinky bins, and messy windows can not only look unappealing, but they can also deter potential renters from applying for your property. Before handing the property over to a rental agent, set a high cleaning standard. Whether you choose to do the cleaning yourself or hire a cleaner, go through the property and clean all the fixtures and fittings. These include elements such as blinds, windows, and bathrooms, which can go a long way to demonstrate that you want the property to be taken of by your tenants. Consider Potential Upgrades Many apartments offer a similar standard feature set - and in some instances, they may offer features such as pre-supplied appliances, such as a dishwasher, in order to reduce the impact of moving into a new apartment. Consider upgrades that may allow your apartment to stand out among the crowd. Did you know that even simple things, such as a good coat of paint and high-quality appliances can make a world of difference to the living standard of a tenant? In fact, great improvements can have a bonus effect - as they’ll last longer, you may encounter fewer maintenance queries in the long term. Check Your Insurances No matter whether you used to live in an apartment, or if it’s strictly an investment purchase, you should consider whether you need landlord insurance. This type of insurance, exclusive to landlords, provides protection against damage to your apartment from incidents such as extreme weather and property damage. While renters may hold their own home and contents insurance, it doesn’t protect anything you may own on the property. Often, it’s recommended that you hold your own landlord’s insurance, if only for peace of mind in trying times. Hire a Reputable Leasing Agent It’s important that when engaging the services of a leasing agent, they act within the law, and at a standard that respects both your needs as a landlord and the requirements of the law. In fact, in some states, rental reforms in recent years have resulted in lists of blacklisted and banned agents being available to potential renters and landlords. Always do your due diligence before hiring a leasing agent - consider reviews, check the blacklist, and shop around. Don’t feel you have to sign up with the first rental agent you meet - it’s OK to take some time and do your research. After all, it’s not the agent’s property - it’s your apartment. Be Aware of Your Obligations as a Landlord It’s important that you’re aware of your legal obligations as a landlord, as property managers aren’t always aware of changes within your local Rental Tenancies Act. In recent years, some states have made changes to these acts, so depending on where your apartment is, you may need to accommodate things such as minimum heating and cooling standards, or even pets. At the end of the day, while getting your apartment ready to rent is not always an easy experience, by following this checklist, you’ll be able to help your apartment stand out amongst the many apartments up for lease in Melbourne each week.

6 Essentials of Renting Out Your Apartment

Making the decision to rent out your apartment can often be a complex experience. There are many hurdles to clear, from components such as rental agreements, hiring a leasing agent, and meeting your legal and tax obligations.

However, a few small things can go a long way to attracting a better quality tenant and a higher weekly rent, helping to keep your apartment to a high standard. This can help when tenants move out, or if you choose to divest your property investment down the track.

Here are some of the key elements to keep in mind when you rent out your apartment, and how they can potentially make a world of difference to prospective tenants.

Make Sure Everything’s Fixed

First things first – make sure your fixtures and fittings are in good, quality order. Ensuring that the locks are changed with a locksmith in Preston is just one element – do a walkthrough of your apartment, and note features of concern – such as dripping taps, chipped paint, or malfunctioning appliances such as dishwashers.

Don’t just take note of the issues that matter to you, though – list all of the issues that could arise. A bit of pre-planned maintenance to deal with issues such as mould, or updating the air conditioner, can go a long way to improving the quality of your apartment and drawing higher rents from potential tenants.

Ensure the Property is Clean

Nobody likes a dirty household, even more so when you’re renting an apartment. Things such as dirty carpets, stinky bins, and messy windows can not only look unappealing, but they can also deter potential renters from applying for your property.

Before handing the property over to a rental agent, set a high cleaning standard. Whether you choose to do the cleaning yourself or hire a cleaner, go through the property and clean all the fixtures and fittings. These include elements such as blinds, windows, and bathrooms, which can go a long way to demonstrate that you want the property to be taken of by your tenants.

Consider Potential Upgrades

Many apartments offer a similar standard feature set – and in some instances, they may offer features such as pre-supplied appliances, such as a dishwasher, in order to reduce the impact of moving into a new apartment.

Consider upgrades that may allow your apartment to stand out among the crowd. Did you know that even simple things, such as a good coat of paint and high-quality appliances can make a world of difference to the living standard of a tenant? In fact, great improvements can have a bonus effect – as they’ll last longer, you may encounter fewer maintenance queries in the long term.

Check Your Insurances

No matter whether you used to live in an apartment, or if it’s strictly an investment purchase, you should consider whether you need landlord insurance. This type of insurance, exclusive to landlords, provides protection against damage to your apartment from incidents such as extreme weather and property damage.

While renters may hold their own home and contents insurance, it doesn’t protect anything you may own on the property. Often, it’s recommended that you hold your own landlord’s insurance, if only for peace of mind in trying times.

Hire a Reputable Leasing Agent

It’s important that when engaging the services of a leasing agent, they act within the law, and at a standard that respects both your needs as a landlord and the requirements of the law. In fact, in some states, rental reforms in recent years have resulted in lists of blacklisted and banned agents being available to potential renters and landlords.

Always do your due diligence before hiring a leasing agent – consider reviews, check the blacklist, and shop around. Don’t feel you have to sign up with the first rental agent you meet – it’s OK to take some time and do your research. After all, it’s not the agent’s property – it’s your apartment.

Be Aware of Your Obligations as a Landlord

It’s important that you’re aware of your legal obligations as a landlord, as property managers aren’t always aware of changes within your local Rental Tenancies Act. In recent years, some states have made changes to these acts, so depending on where your apartment is, you may need to accommodate things such as minimum heating and cooling standards, or even pets.

At the end of the day, while getting your apartment ready to rent is not always an easy experience, by following this checklist, you’ll be able to help your apartment stand out amongst the many apartments up for lease in Melbourne each week.

Gold Coast Magazine

Gold Coast Magazine

Our in-house team and affiliates bringing you the latest in Culture, Lifestyle and Entertainment from around the globe and the great stories of the Gold Coast

Indulge in a decadent rosé-inspired haven at W Brisbane's WET Deck this summer. Sip on 'Rosé Five Ways' and enjoy exquisite light bites in enchanting

Indulge in a decadent rosé-inspired haven at W Brisbane’s WET Deck this summer. Sip on ‘Rosé Five Ways’ and enjoy exquisite light bites in enchanting pink hues.

The Gold Coast played host to a sensational Spilt Milk event, captivating music lovers with an array of unforgettable moments. The event's gallery showcases

The Gold Coast played host to a sensational Spilt Milk event, captivating music lovers with an array of unforgettable moments. The event’s gallery showcases

The iconic Kirra Beach Hotel, a cherished local landmark since 1956 has reopened with a fresh new look, ready for a summer full of great

The iconic Kirra Beach Hotel, a cherished local landmark since 1956 has reopened with a fresh new look, ready for a summer full of great people & good times.

Experience beachfront luxury with a chance to win a $12.6 million Gold Coast apartment complex just in time for Christma with RSL Art Union's monumental Draw 411!

Experience beachfront luxury with a chance to win a $12.6 million Gold Coast apartment complex just in time for Christma with RSL Art Union’s monumental Draw 411!

Elevate your Melbourne trip with Pullman's Elevate Club Lounge. Find out how you can enjoy Champagne breakfast and more, even if you're not staying at

Elevate your Melbourne trip with Pullman’s Elevate Club Lounge. Find out how you can enjoy Champagne breakfast and more, even if you’re not staying at the hotel

We have compiled our list of 10 of the best burgers on the Gold Coast; these ten are the best burger joints in Queensland in

We have compiled our list of 10 of the best burgers on the Gold Coast; these ten are the best burger joints in Queensland in my opinion and sure to cure your biggest craving for delicious burgers

In a stellar achievement for the Queensland hospitality scene, The Calile Hotel has secured its place as the No.12 hotel in the world and earned

In a stellar achievement for the Queensland hospitality scene, The Calile Hotel has secured its place as the No.12 hotel in the world and earned the prestigious title of “The Best Hotel in Oceania

Discover the revamped Palm Beach Aquatic Centre reopening in 2024. Enjoy upgraded pools, fitness facilities, and a vibrant community hub on the Gold Coast

Discover the revamped Palm Beach Aquatic Centre reopening in 2024. Enjoy upgraded pools, fitness facilities, and a vibrant community hub on the Gold Coast

gcmag

Gold Coast Magazine

Sharing the People, Places & Stories that define our great city and showcasing the best places to eat, play and stay since 2007.