What It Means for a Home to Be "Rent Ready"
Ensuring a property is "rent ready" is essential to attracting high-quality tenants, minimizing vacancies, and maintaining a smooth management process. At WH Property Management, we emphasize the importance of a well-prepared rental home, both to meet habitability requirements and to maximize rental value. Below is a comprehensive checklist for making a home truly "rent ready."
1. Professional Cleaning
The home should be cleaned to a ‘hotel room clean’ standard.
Carpets must be professionally cleaned and looking fresh. In Tennessee, carpet should be replaced every 7 years.
No personal items should be left in the unit, including furniture, toiletries, shower curtains, kitchen items, garage and lawn equipment, etc.
Garage floor swept and free of debris.
No exterior debris on the property.
2. Fresh Paint & Flooring
All painted surfaces must be fresh, with no mismatched touch-ups.
Repainting must be done corner to corner to ensure consistency.
3. Window Treatments & Blinds
All bedroom windows must have vertical or mini-blinds to provide privacy.
The back sliding door must have vertical blinds.
All windows (except basement windows) should have blinds—no draperies.
All windows should have screens.
4. Landscaping & Exterior Readiness
Lawn must be cut and trimmed.
Landscaping should be fresh and well-maintained.
No lawn equipment (mowers, tools, etc.) should be left at the property.
Safety railings must be secure.
Exterior window wells should have covers.
5. Mechanical & Safety Compliance
All mechanical components must be fully functional, including HVAC, plumbing, electrical systems, kitchen appliances, laundry appliances, sump pumps, water softeners, sprinkler systems, and gas fireplaces.
Carbon monoxide/smoke detectors must be installed within 15 feet of each bedroom (wall-mounted only, no plug-in units). Must be present:
On each floor
Inside each bedroom
Bathroom caulking must be fresh and free of mildew.
Doors must open and close smoothly, with doorstops installed to prevent damage.
All light bulbs must be working.
6. Fireplace Readiness
Operational wood-burning fireplaces must be cleaned and include a fireplace screen or heat-proof glass doors.
If the fireplace is non-operational, the opening should be permanently sealed with an aesthetically pleasing material.
7. Pricing Strategy & Market Adaptation
Beyond the physical readiness of a property, pricing must also be competitive. The market dictates rental rates, and in a declining Nashville rental market, it is crucial to adjust pricing dynamically:
Implement a clear, written pricing strategy that adjusts rent downward until the unit is leased.
Prioritize occupancy over premium pricing—a vacant property is a financial loss.
Offer security deposit alternatives, move-in incentives, or flexible payment options to attract more tenants.
Final Thoughts
A rent-ready home not only attracts quality tenants faster but also reduces maintenance issues and ensures smoother property management throughout the lease. If you’re unsure how to get your property rent-ready, WH Property Management is here to help! You can see our Rent-Ready Standards here. Contact us today to learn more about our expert property preparation and leasing strategies.
