When preparing your home to rent for the first time, there may be things that are expected or required which you may not have considered before having only used your home personally. Below is a quick few items to get you started off on the right foot.
Identification of Homes
When tenants are arriving at your home, they may be unfamiliar with the island or your neighborhood. Each home should be clearly marked with a street number that is visible from the road. Having sufficient exterior lighting on the home, and perhaps a light for a driveway marker, will also be helpful to tenants arriving for the first time or back to your home after dark.
Keys or Key Codes
Being certain that we have functioning keys to your home or the latest Door or Lock Box codes can save some headaches right before check-in. Your rental agent should touch base with you to be sure we have keys or updated codes. If we do not or you have changes your locks please arrange with your agent a pick up or drop off of those keys. Remember to include any keys necessary for tenant-accessible guest houses, roof walks, pool areas, etc.
Safety Equipment & Devices
It is vital to ensure that all safety equipment in your home be in good and working condition. You or your caretaker should regularly check on these pieces of equipment. This includes, but is not limited to smoke & carbon monoxide detectors, electric pool covers, pool door alarm, fences, gate latches, etc.
Welcome Booklet
A welcome book serves as a central guide to your property, providing guests with everything they need to feel comfortable and confident during their stay. From Wi-Fi info and appliance instructions to personal recommendations for local favorites, this tool can significantly enhance the guest experience. Creating a welcome book doesn't have to be complicated—it can be as simple as a small three-ring binder with page protectors, allowing you to easily swap out or update pages as needed. This template offers a customizable foundation that you can tailor specifically to your property. Simply update the sections with details unique to your home, and feel free to remove or add content as needed. Reach out to your Rental Agent for a template to get started!
Rental Supplies
Stocking up your home for tenants can be a lot different than stocking your home for a weekend with family. Tenants have expectations of what appliances, kitchen items, furnishings, linens, beach items, etc will be available for them to use during their stay. We've compiled a list H
ERE of all the items, at a minimum, should be offered to your guests.