What do renters really want? (apartments, tenant, deposit, renew)

[swbell6]

I've been a homeowner for almost 20 years and will soon be a landlord. I hate that term, though, so I call myself "the owner." I'm looking for quality tenants, as I will be living next door. (It's a duplex.)

Please weigh in on a couple of things:

- How much does condition matter (like paint)?

- How much does cleanliness matter when you do a walk-through?

- Does it matter if the house/apartment is upgraded? For instance, all-new tile or carpeting; a modern kitchen, etc.?

- Does it bother you if the owner uses bottom-of-the-barrel appliances and fixtures? Do you even notice those details?

- Do men and women look for different features (yeah, I know this is broad.)

- Does curb appeal matter?

- Do you need a good yard or patio, even if it's small?

Is there anything else that you require (not counting a safe neighborhood and on-site parking, as I'm offering that.) Thanks.

[OrangeCoriander]

I think there might be a similar thread to this with a poll (maybe do a search), but to touch on a couple of items:

- Does it matter if the house/apartment is upgraded? For instance, all-new tile or carpeting; a modern kitchen, etc.?

I don't like carpeting at all. It's too high-maintenance. I'd prefer hardwoods or decent laminate. Heck, I'd prefer 100 year-old, not-perfect hardwoods to carpet.

- Does it bother you if the owner uses bottom-of-the-barrel appliances and fixtures? Do you even notice those details?

Cheap, but spacious fridges don't bother me. A cheap gas stove wouldn't bother me too much. A cheap electric stove I wouldn't like. Please don't skimp on the dishwasher, however. I don't like washing dishes after I take them out of the dishwasher.

- Does curb appeal matter?

Not really, particularly if you don't mind me planting flowers or doing some minor landscaping.

- Do you need a good yard or patio, even if it's small?

I think outside private space is important, even if it's just a balcony.

[AuburnAL]

As a guy who's been renting for a while I've come to the conclusion about what I like.

1. The neighborhood needs to be safe. I work long hours a lot, and it's hard to get exercise if I can't go out at night. Similarly I work a lot, and I don't do it so thieves can steal my stuff.

2. Appliances. I want a dishwasher that works, and that is capable of holding a cookie sheet one would use to cook to a frozen pizza. Otherwise I'm going to have to wash dishes sometime. I want a full sized washer/dryer or at least connections for one. Having to wash clothes every two or three days gets old, and if I save it up for the weekends I have a ton a of loads. Oh and the toilet needs to work well. Nothing more annoying than a toilet that will get clogged with three or four sheets of toilet paper, or that doesn't flush completely the first time. Other than that as long as it works I'm good with it.

3. Lights. Too many places try to get cheap with switched receptacles and no ceiling lights. I want to light my apartment up as soon as I walk in the door, and stand lamps can't do that.

4. Counter space in the kitchen so I can cook. Similarly shelf space in the kitchen.

5. Good insulation. I don't want to have to run up my ac bill because the owner skimped on insulation.

A lot of those I can't know until I've rented, but they can determine if I renew my lease.

[KonaKat]

Pretty much "yes" on all your questions. what do you like in a home that you would live in? Well, renters aren't a lot different, really. A home that is in keeping with neighborhood standards generally might cover this broad issue.

Clean? it should be spotless. When they move out, it should also be left spotless or else you have it cleaned by a professional, include the bill w/ their deposit refund statement with those charges deducted.

Obtain the most deposit allowed in your state. Keep things a purely businesslike relationship even though (and maybe because you are) living next door. No offense intended but it's been my experience that the owner living on site is a negative to many lookers. So keep things very cool and professional.

Be sure that you know how all Fair Housing and local landlord tenant laws affect you.

Have proper insurance and be sure that the property is well maintained with no apparent hazards.

[jdm2008]

Originally Posted by swbell6

I've been a homeowner for almost 20 years and will soon be a landlord. I hate that term, though, so I call myself "the owner." I'm looking for quality tenants, as I will be living next door. (It's a duplex.)

Please weigh in on a couple of things:

- How much does condition matter (like paint)?

- How much does cleanliness matter when you do a walk-through?

- Does it matter if the house/apartment is upgraded? For instance, all-new tile or carpeting; a modern kitchen, etc.?

- Does it bother you if the owner uses bottom-of-the-barrel appliances and fixtures? Do you even notice those details?

- Do men and women look for different features (yeah, I know this is broad.)

- Does curb appeal matter?

- Do you need a good yard or patio, even if it's small?

Is there anything else that you require (not counting a safe neighborhood and on-site parking, as I'm offering that.) Thanks.

How much are you renting your apartment for(or a range), size? I'm a single person so I'm not sure how much value the input is.

-Quite a bit, if it is filthy forget it. Supercially dirty is a negative though.
-Fixtures I notice, as long as the appliances work they're fine, but if they're ugly bound to notice.
-Yes, curb appeal matters, more for cleanliness to me. Place can't be really ugly either. But in my mind no need to go crazy, just clean and decent.
-Yard space enough for a barbeque is big plus, more than that doesn't matter and is a negative if I have to do alot to maintain it.

Big issues to me are on site laundry, closet and cabinet space and layout of the space all weighed against price. I hate going to a laundry mat. I could care less about dishwashers and would never use them. By the time the dishwasher was full, I would have no dishes to use.

Also look here for some more input.
15 questions for tenants - what is important to you in a rental?

[TKramar]

Actually, I just moved about a month ago. My room mate found something that SHE liked, and wanted me to look at it.

My response was "Why?" I'm happy with anything, as long as I have a roof over my head, she's the one that has "conditions".

If it needs some work done to it, I'm more than happy to do it. On my dime.

Oh--and part of the reason we moved? It's cheaper here.

[pers]

I'm looking to buy now but have always rented previously. Condition is relative to me. I like to paint walls, I feel like it makes a place feel more like mine when I can color it the way I want it to be. Having permission to paint, even if the owner wants approval of my color choices, is a huge bonus for me. I've found this is great from the owner's point of view as well since many of them don't really like painting. I do suggest being careful though as some people are better painters than others. So needing a paint job isn't a big deal to me. Broken doors, windows, fixtures, etc is not cool and I would expect them to be dealt with prior to renting.

Cleanliness matters unless you are aiming for crappy renters who are willing to live in a crappy house/apt. High quality renters who will take care of the place are not going to rent it if it's dirty on a walk through.

Upgrades are relative to the price imo. If you are charging premium rent, I expect premium ammenities. The lower the rent, the less I expect in terms of features and appliances. I do expect them to be clean and working however--and that means all the stove burners!

Curb appeal is nice but part of the appeal in renting is that I don't have to deal with those things so the more upkeep involved that I have to do, the less attractive "curb appeal" becomes. I don't need flowers and pro landscaping, just keep the lawn mowed and the outside maintained and I'm happy.

Having some outside private space is important to me. I usually rent houses rather than apartments for that very reason.

I don't generally like renting from someone who lives next door because I don't want them in my business. I don't like landlords who "stop by" either. One place I looked at, the owners lived next door and actually expected me to call before I left the house to make sure they were going to be home! Needless to say, I didn't rent that place. If I were going to consider renting from the person next to me, I'd want to be sure they'd would keep their distance.

Someone else mentioned insulation and that's big for me as well. It's the primary reason I'm moving from my current place--I can't take the crazy utility bills.

In terms of the interior, I appreciate a practical landlord. I need storage, cabinets and closets are essential. Ceiling fans are appreciated. Please keep in mind the use of a room when you plan "upgrades." My current landlord wanted to install french doors where the single window in the living room is and put a balcony outside. That sounds great, except it is the only wall long enough for a couch and the window is right in the middle! He's made similar idiotic upgrades as well, easy to do when you don't have to live with them I guess.

[NY Annie]

Bathroom. You MUST have undersink storage. I like having spare rolls handy. Easy to clean. If you have cheapo vinyl floors, make sure the seams are sealed - well. Ugh, I hate the vinyl pretend tile walls but at least make sure the seams don't show. If there is no window, there absolutely must be an exhaust fan. I take a HOT shower (sometimes just below skin-burning temp) and that creates a wonderful environment for mold to grow. If the ceiling is porous, no amount of cleaning will prevent mold - it must be vented/ventable.

And the hot water heater must be a minimum of 50 gal for 2 people - unless you have "on demand".

[OrangeCoriander]

The sink thing crossed my mind, too. I really don't like pedestal sinks, especially in an apartment. At least in a house, it might only be in a half-bath that doesn't require storing a lot of stuff, but for my main bath, I like a vanity cabinet.

Isn't the window in absence of an exhaust fan code? Honestly, a window doesn't even cut it. I'd probably end up sticking a fan in the window if there were no exhaust fan. The fan in our current apartment is on its last 30 year-old legs. I'm debating on letting the landlady know now or just holding out for a couple of months when we move to let her know so she can get someone in there without disturbing me.

[Squirl]

IMHO -- it ALL matters. My approach is to ask myself if I would live there. Then I survey to see what other rentals similar to mine -- location, amenities, etc. offer for the rent and I price my rental about 10% LOWER. Then I advertise in Craigslist and respond to those who inquire letting them know my rental policies regarding background verifications and tenant requirements (eg. no smoking, etc.). If they say they meet the requirements, I set up an appointment. If I think they may be a fit, I email them an application. I never give out paper applications. I also ask they email me back the application. I usually show the house to several people and then only send an application to the "best" candidate. I give them 24 hours to return the application and send $35 to Paypal for the application fee. If the application supports my continued interest I do a background check, if not I don't accept their application fee and move on to the next person I liked. This keeps me in compliance with Fair Housing regulations. I have found that I get to select among many applicants when I price my property a bit below market. I have had friends who were greedy LL's and took desperate people who were willing to pay over-market rent prices. It has always come back and hurt them later. I prefer to have a candidate pool of tenants among which I can select the best.