Property Management

As a new landlord, preparing your property for new tenants involves several critical steps. Here's a comprehensive guide to help you ensure everything is in order and your property is well-maintained. Utilities and Services: Gas & Electricity: Contact your utility providers to set up a Landlord Agreement and request a final meter reading for a day or two after the new tenant's move-in date. This ensures continuity of service and prevents issues like frozen pipes. Provide your new mailing address to receive bills during vacancies. Water: Request a final meter reading and ensure service stays on during any vacancy. If the water company doesn’t pro-rate the bill, pay it and provide a copy to us for reimbursement from the tenant. Phone/Cable: Schedule the disconnection of your service, allowing new tenants to set up their services. Cancel other subscriptions like trash, newspaper, and satellite as needed. Homeowner’s Associations: Notify your HOA of your new mailing address for dues payments and provide us with their contact details. This allows us to manage any violation notices efficiently. Property Preparation: Remotes and Keys: Leave garage door remotes, house keys, mailbox keys, and any other essential items in a kitchen drawer. Notify us of the mailbox location and number to avoid unnecessary charges for new keys. Door Locks: We recommend changing door locks after each tenant moves out for added security. If you prefer not to change the locks, inform us as soon as possible. Ensure the garage door keypad code is updated and provided to the new tenant. Carbon Monoxide Detectors: Colorado law requires working CO detectors in rental properties. We can install these if they are not already in place, with costs deducted from your reserve account or rent proceeds. Maintenance and Cleaning: Nail Holes/Touch-Up Paint: Fill in nail holes if you have matching paint. Leave extra paint cans in a safe place for future touch-ups, as matching colors can be challenging. Furnace Filters: Provide new furnace filters to encourage tenants to replace them regularly, maintaining HVAC efficiency. Yard Maintenance: Ensure the yard is clean and tidy, with grass mowed and weeds controlled, especially during summer. Leave House Empty: Remove all personal belongings except for essential items like paint cans. This prevents damage or loss and sets a standard for the tenants. Seasonal Preparations: Winter: Turn off the main water line and set the thermostat to 60 degrees to prevent frozen pipes. Open under-sink cabinet doors in susceptible areas. Summer: Leave water and sprinkler systems on to maintain the lawn and garden. Additional Steps: Insurance: Update your insurance policy to reflect the rental status of your property. Consult with your agent about liability coverage and a vacancy rider if necessary. Forwarding Address: Provide us with your new address and contact information. Place a forwarding order with the Post Office to ensure important mail reaches you. Professional Cleaning: A thorough cleaning is crucial. Hire professional cleaners for a move-out cleaning, ensuring every part of the house is spotless. Carpet Cleaning: Professional carpet cleaning removes allergens and odors. Ensure any necessary repairs, like stretching carpets or fixing tears, are done before the new tenant moves in. Repairs: Address any needed repairs before you leave or inform us so we can handle them. Home Warranty: Consider purchasing a Home Warranty policy to cover major repairs. We can recommend reliable companies if needed. Mail for New Tenant: Leave any mail for the new tenant in a kitchen drawer along with appliance manuals. Rent Collection & Disbursement: Understand our processes for rent collection, late fees, and disbursement. Rent is due on the first of the month and late after five days. We will deduct our management fee and any repair costs before depositing your proceeds by the 15th of each month. We appreciate the opportunity to work with you in managing your property. If you have any questions or need assistance, please let us know. We're here to help ensure a smooth transition and proper maintenance of your home.