What to Do Before Showing a Rental Unit

As a property manager, you’re always showing prospective tenants empty rental units. The following list can be helpful as you develop your pre-showing routine of tasks to take care of so that each rental unit shows its best side:

Remove all of the prior tenants’ personal possessions and trash after you have legal possession of the unit.	Inspect all closets and storage areas. Rods, closet dowels, hooks, shelves, lights, floors, and walls should be clean.
Check all plumbing (toilets, faucets, and pipes) for proper operation. The plumbing should have the proper pressure and drain adequately. Make sure that nothing leaks. Change out old angle stops and install leak-resistant supply lines.	Check all counters, cabinets, doors, molding, thresholds, and metal strips. They should be clean and fully operational, presenting no hazards.
Test all appliances for proper operation. Try out all the appliances and run the dishwasher through a full cycle. Verify that the oven’s drip pan, broiler pan, and racks are there.	Test each smoke detector and check all lighting and electrical outlets, including GFCIs and circuit breakers, for proper operation.
Examine all hardware. Confirm that the locks have been changed or rekeyed and are operational. Pay attention to all latches and catches, doorknobs and pulls, door stops, and sliding doors.	Check all patios, balconies, and entryways. They should be clean and physically sound. Railings should also be secure.
Test all windows, insect screens, and window coverings. They should be clean, unbroken, weatherproof, secure, and properly operational. All window locks should work as well.	Test the heating and air conditioning for proper operation. Be sure the thermostat, filters, vents, and registers are all in working order.
Check all walls, ceilings, and baseboards. The paint and/or wall coverings should provide proper coverage, without holes, cuts, scratches, nails, or bad seams. Look for signs of water intrusion and investigate and correct the cause of any such conditions.	Check the rental unit’s curb appeal, including the exterior landscaping, driveways, and walkways. Keep them as neat and tidy as possible.
Inspect all floor coverings. They should be clean and in good condition. The flooring should be properly installed, with no bad seams.	Perform a final walk-through of the entire rental unit for appearance and cleanliness. Recheck the unit every few days it sits vacant.
Check bathrooms. Thoroughly clean the toilet, tub, shower, sink, mirrors, and cabinets. Make sure the toilet paper holder and towel bars are clean. Put a paper sanitary ring around each toilet seat and a new roll of toilet paper in each bathroom. Look under sinks for moisture and address any noted problems.	*

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