It’s almost April, which for a landlord, means time to find out if your tenants are staying or going. While renting out your property in Boston can be a lucrative venture, it’s not always easy to find new tenants while your current ones are still occupying the space. However, with the right strategies and approach, you can minimize vacancy periods and ensure a smooth transition between tenants.
Here are some of our top tips for a smooth transition, and if you are ready to start the process of relisting your rental, then reach out today.
Plan Ahead and Communicate:
We always say effective planning and clear communication are crucial in every aspect of life, but when transitioning between tenants, it is a case where that rings even more true.
Start by discussing your intention to list the property with your current tenants well in advance. Be transparent about your expectations and timelines, and work together with them and your agent to find a mutually convenient showing schedule. We will always respect your tenants’ privacy and can schedule showings during reasonable hours, provide adequate notice, and ensure that potential tenants treat the current tenants’ belongings with care and respect.
Do Some Light Unit Prep:
Make sure to get into the unit and do a quick assessment.
- Cleaning Up the Unit: A clean space makes all the difference in how potential tenants perceive the unit. Encourage current tenants to declutter before showings and consider hiring a professional cleaner for high-impact areas like kitchens and bathrooms. A fresh, tidy space gives the impression of a well-maintained property.
- Paint Touch-Ups: Scuffed walls or chipped paint can make a unit feel worn down, even if the rest of the space is in great condition. A quick touch-up with matching paint can go a long way in making the apartment look fresh and well cared for. Focus on high-traffic areas like entryways, around door handles, and corners where wear and tear are most visible.
- Lighting Updates: Change light bulbs so the color and brightness match—bulbs with higher lumens equal brighter light, and you’ll want it as bright as possible when people tour. Plus, check that all the bulbs have the same warmth, so the lighting feels consistent and inviting. While a small detail, it helps your unit show in its best light.
Professional Marketing:
Effective marketing is essential to attract new tenants. We always capture high-quality photos and videos of our rental listings. This content lets us highlight the property’s best features, explain its location advantages, and show off any recent upgrades or improvements to the space. More importantly having this large arsenal of content sets us up to blast your property to the world
Almost all of the potential tenants in Boston are already on social media and following local influencers to find out what the best things to do in the city. We have strategic partnerships allowing us to share our real estate content where they already are to get tenants to reach out directly about your property!
Streamline the Application Process:
We make the application process as convenient as possible to encourage prospective tenants to apply promptly. By using online application platforms we allow applicants to submit their information and supporting documents electronically. This simplifies the process and speeds up tenant screening.
Then you can easily review references, credit and background checks, and verify income to identify qualified applicants quickly.
Align to the September First Cycle:
The most important thing you can do to give yourself a seamless rental experience in Boston is aligning your timeline to the 9/1 schedule. Recognize that the majority of your potential tenants have existing lease agreements, so they will need to move in on September 1st, the most common move-in date in Boston. Structuring leases to align with the September 1st move-in date will expand your pool of applicants.
Discuss potential move-in dates with your current tenants to ensure a seamless transition for all parties involved. Ultimately, a well-executed transition benefits both you as the landlord and your current and future tenants.
Renting out your property while it’s still tenanted in Boston requires some planning and effective communication, but we help people do it all the time. Remember that the effort you put into preparing your property now can pay off in the form of higher rental income and more satisfied, long-term tenants.
Ready to start the process of relisting your rental? Reach out today.
