Improving Your Home for the Renter

If you are renting out or leasing a property, then you have probably had to deal with tenant improvements. Although they can be a hassle, these improvements are usually reasonable and necessary in order to keep the renting process running smoothly. There are some requests that are usually always granted, and others that may not be so necessary.

There are usually a few different types of tenants, and they generally will have different requests. The first category is that of new tenants, who have just been found and have gone through the approval process. As they are moving into a new place there are always some tenant improvements that they may ask about. You will want to make sure that you start off your relationship with them in a healthy manner so you may have to give a bit here and there in order to avoid problems in the future. Some of the improvements they will generally ask for include Cable, DSL, smoke detectors, washers and dryers and other electrical improvements. Generally, these are good things to take care of because they not only will make your current tenants happy but they will also help you to market and sell the unit in the future.

If there are cosmetic improvements being suggested by the tenant then it really is just your call.  You can allow them to paint the inside as long as it is a professional job, or you can ask that they not do that.  This goes for things like carpet, windows, doors, and anything else you can think of that would just add to the aesthetics of the unit.  Existing tenants will usually be a bit more picky about cosmetic issues since they have been living there for a while and have seen what is and isn't working.  Take these tenant improvements on a case by case basis.

The last kind of tenant improvements that need to be considered are the ones that require some type of commercial construction company to help.  These could be additions to the property, renovations and remodeling of bathrooms and kitchens in order to help them be more functional.  Or maybe just simple projects that help with the safety of future tenants like getting rid of lead paint or creating larger window spaces to help comply with the fire code.  On these you will want to make sure that you follow legalities and get a construction company that will help you with these improvements at an affordable price.