The increasing number of people who are trying do-it-yourself home improvements can be traced back to the influence generated by reality shows and social media. Much of the hype is because these accomplishments are being shown in the videos as easy to achieve and that everybody can do it which is why more people are attempting to remodel or repair the interior of their homes on their own. Unfortunately, this trend is not only popular with homeowners, but among renters as well. While landlords like a tenant who is caring and responsible enough to take care of the rental home as if it were their own, some renters take it a bit too far. With a few proactive strategies, Norfolk property owners can prevent unwanted tenant “improvements” and keep their rental homes in the good state.
When it comes to making home improvements, the kitchen and bathroom are the most famous goals. Thousands of popular videos show enthusiastic do-it-yourselfers on how to paint cabinets, change faucets and hardware, and replace light fixtures. Hip improvements in these rooms also consist of tile backsplashes and brightly painted walls. When done appropriately, these kinds of minor remodels can produce unique interior spaces.
The truth is that custom interiors contribute nothing to your property’s value. If your tenant does a mediocre work on their enhancements, your property value could even plummet. For example, if your tenant decides to hang wallpaper in the living room, they could not only destroy the painted surface beneath but also create a wall-to-wall eyesore that will be expensive to restore.
Because personal tastes vary widely, custom interiors can also severely restrict your ability to rent the home to a new tenant. An accent wall in fuchsia may appeal to your current renter, but the next one may not find it appealing. On the other hand, if your tenant injures themselves or damages the home’s plumbing or electrical systems in the process, that creates an entirely new set of problems. If they manage to crack a pipe or incorrectly connect the fitting while changing a bathroom faucet, you may be cleaning up leaks and water damage that otherwise would not have occurred.
While small upkeep tasks can and must be anticipated of a renter, improvements or the remodeling of any of the home’s permanent elements should be discouraged in the lease. A different proactive strategy is to conduct regular property evaluations, something that Real Property Management Hampton Roads offers all of our property owners in Norfolk and the surrounding areas. We will keep an eye on your rental home, making sure the tenant is maintaining the property in the desired condition and promptly handling any tenant requests for improvements or repairs. Contact us online or call us at 757-395-4274 to see what we can do for you.
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