Sacramento Ready-to-Rent Checklist

The most stressful part of the rental process is that initial procedure of finding a renter. We don't know how the market will react, and every landlord's worst fear is in finding a renter that causes problems. So, to help me do my job effectively and give us the best chance at finding a dream tenant. I have a short to-do list for you to take care of:

 

Unless you are following a short/mid-term rental strategy, it's best to show the property with belongings removed, including furniture, decorations, and personal documents. This allows potential tenants to envision the space as their own, avoids potential trust issues with people stealing during their showings, and ensures the home is move-in ready. After removing items, I'll recommend deep cleaning the property to leave it in pristine condition.

 

I'll set up a lockbox on your property and send you the code and location to access it. Once the home is ready for me to get started, please leave a copy of any keys needed to enter the property. If there are remotes or key FOBs that are too big for the lockbox, leave them in a drawer in the kitchen. Once I have the keys, I will make a copy for myself to keep throughout the tenancy and we'll give a key to the eventual renters, one per adult applicant.

 

After you sign the Property Management Agreement, my accountant will send you a link to your owner portal. Windermere uses Appfolio to provide an online portal for you to view statements, tax documents, inspections, and make any needed payments to cover possible expenses. Please take the time to familiarize yourself with the platform and bookmark it for future use.

 

Now that you no longer live in your home, it's time to switch your homeowner policy to a Landlord policy. Landlord insurance provides protection against property damage, liability claims, and lost rental income due to covered events. It’s essential for safeguarding your investment and ensuring peace of mind. Most home insurance providers will also offer landlord policies, so shop around and select a policy tailored to your needs.

 

Please understand that high-quality tenants have options in the rental market and know they will likely be accepted anywhere they apply. If needed at the onboarding stage, I will conduct a thorough inspection of the property to identify and address any maintenance needs or critical upgrades to bring the best return on investment for you. This doesn't mean I'm going to recommend a kitchen or bathroom remodel just because the current setup is outdated. Renters often prioritize location and value over quartz countertops and modern hardware. We just want to make sure what is being offered in the home is in good condition, clean, and usable. There may also be recommended upgrades for your own benefit in preventing the home from further damage. 

 

If your lease terms require tenants to handle certain utilities, make sure to cancel or transfer those accounts. Owners in Sacramento commonly cover Water, sewer and garbage, while tenants typically pay for the electricity, gas, and internet. Please leave the utilities on while the home is vacant as it helps to have power on when showing the property and the thoroughness of my move-in inspection will be heavily impacted if I can't operate the fixtures and appliances.

 

Update your address with the post office, banks, and other important institutions to ensure you receive all correspondence related to the property. We also don't want to bother the tenants with incoming mail that isn't theirs.

 

If there are any neighbors you have contact with, please share my contact details. This fosters goodwill and allows them to reach me if they notice any issues with the property, such as maintenance concerns or tenant-related matters.

 

As a disclosure, Windermere nor I will get involved in disputes between renters and neighbors. We cannot take any action without a police report.

 

After your home is in move-in condition and I've taken the professional listing photos, I'll craft listing description and put together the lease terms in what I call your property profile. I would like you to read over the lease terms and approve the profile so that I know we are on the same page of what is being offered. This will confirm the rent amount, deposit requirements, lease length, and any rules or restrictions you want to include to ensure your expectations are being met.

 

I encourage you to open a dedicated bank account for rental income and property expenses. This simplifies bookkeeping, ensures clear financial records, and makes tax season easier to manage.