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What is "Rent Ready"?

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What Every Rental Property Needs to Be Truly “Rent-Ready”
A rent-ready home is more than clean carpets and a fresh coat of paint; it’s a fully prepared property that meets both state housing standards and our internal requirements for safety, cleanliness, and market appeal. Homes that reach this condition lease faster, attract higher-quality residents, and reduce costly turnover issues.
To help owners understand exactly what qualifies a home as rent-ready, we’ve outlined the essential standards below. These items represent the minimum condition a property must meet before professional photos are taken and marketing begins.
 
 1. Utilities & Basic Safety Requirements
Before anything else, the home must be operational, safe, and fully connected. 
  • Water and electricity active and functioning
  • Smoke detectors installed on each floor
  • Smoke detectors installed in every bedroom, or immediately outside the sleeping area
  •  All mechanical systems working as designed, including: HVAC, plumbing, electrical, kitchen appliances, laundry appliances, water softeners, sprinkler systems, gas fireplaces, and water filtration systems
  • Wood-burning fireplaces clean, screened, and operational; or permanently sealed if non-operational
These items ensure the property is safe for occupancy and can pass any state-required inspections.
 
2. Professional Cleaning & Interior Condition
A clean home leases faster. More importantly, it sets the standard for how tenants will maintain the property moving forward. 
  • Professionally cleaned to a “hotel-room clean” standard
  • Carpets professionally cleaned and looking fresh
  • Bathroom caulking replaced and free of mold or mildew
  • Doors open and close smoothly; doorstops installed
  • All light bulbs working throughout the home
Paint quality is also critical. Touch-ups often photograph poorly and signal lower-quality maintenance, so:
  • All painted surfaces must be fresh, uniform, and repainted corner-to-corner. No mismatched touch-up areas.
3. Windows, Blinds & Doors
Windows and entry points must be functional, secure, and consistent.
  • Blinds installed on all windows
  • Window screens installed on all windows
  • No draperies or leftover window coverings
  • Sliding glass doors must have blinds
  • All entry keys must match and be freshly cut
These items provide privacy, ensure safety, and create a clean, cohesive presentation for showings.
 
 4. Exterior Standards
The outside of the home is the first impression, and one of the strongest predictors of lead quality and showing conversions.
  • Lawn cut and trimmed
  • Landscaping fresh, neat, and free of debris
  • Garage floor swept
  • No exterior clutter or leftover items
  • No lawn equipment stored on the property (mowers, tools, trailers, etc.)
A clean exterior signals that the property has been cared for and is ready for immediate occupancy.
 
5. Remove All Personal Items
Aside from fully turnkey furnished rentals, the home must be completely empty.
  • No furniture
  • No kitchen or bathroom items
  • No toiletries, shower curtains, Kleenex boxes, soap dispensers, or décor
  • No personal belongings or leftover household goods
A completely cleared home prevents confusion, eliminates maintenance disputes, and presents a professional product to renters.
 

Tenant & Landlord Spam

We know most people are able to sense the difference between authentic inquiries and spam, but for your entertainment, we've provided a real example of what a spam correspondence looks like. Enjoy!

 

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