Rental property managers have to keep tenants happy and maintain their bottom line. A key part of this job is to ensure that units remain attractive and functional to current and prospective renters. They must make smart, simple upgrades that can boost property value, justify rent increases, and reduce turnover.
Our property manager's guide to simple unit upgrades focuses on high-impact, low-cost changes that you can implement quickly. This advice will help you enhance your units and ensure you get the best bang for your buck.
Refresh Walls With a Modern Coat of Paint
A fresh coat of paint is an easy way to transform a rental unit. It instantly makes a space feel clean, new, and well-maintained.
Scuffs, marks, and faded colors can make even the cleanest apartment look tired and uninviting. Repainting eliminates these imperfections and presents a blank canvas for new tenants.
Choose neutral colors like light gray, beige, or off-white. These shades appeal to a wide range of people, make rooms look larger and brighter, and provide a versatile backdrop that works with any tenant's furniture and decor.
Avoid dark or bold accent walls, as they may not align with a tenant's personal style and can make it hard to paint over. Instead, you can use durable, high-quality paint with a satin or eggshell finish. You'll find that these finishes clean more easily than flat paint, which is a major benefit for high-traffic areas like hallways, kitchens, and living rooms.
Upgrade Kitchen and Bathroom Hardware
The kitchen and bathroom are two of the most important rooms for tenants. You can give these spaces a modern facelift by updating the hardware.
Old, dated, or mismatched cabinet pulls, handles, and faucets can make an entire room feel stuck in the past. Property managers can replace them with sleek contemporary options that deliver a powerful visual punch.
Choose consistent finishes, like brushed nickel, matte black, or brass, to create a cohesive look throughout the unit. This simple detail makes the space feel intentionally designed and more upscale.
You can find stylish and affordable hardware sets at most home improvement stores. Most of these finishes require only a few basic tools, which means you or your maintenance team can complete the updates in just a few hours.
While you're at it, check your kitchen sink and bathroom faucets for leaks, corrosion, or broken parts. If they need repairs, consider replacing them with modern, water-efficient models to save money.
Modern Lighting Fixtures for Better Ambience
The lights in a home or apartment can profoundly affect a person's mood. Outdated, dim, or broken light fixtures can make a unit feel dreary and unappealing.
Property managers can replace them with modern, energy-efficient alternatives that improve both the appearance and functionality of a unit. For example, you can replace a dated "boob light" in the hallway with a stylish flush-mount fixture to instantly elevate a room.
In the kitchen, you can add under-cabinet LED strip lighting to improve lighting on the counters and add a touch of luxury. For bathrooms, a new vanity light above the mirror can transform the space from drab to spa-like.
You can also switch to LED bulbs throughout the unit. The top benefits of LED bulbs include:
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- Energy Savings: LED bulbs use significantly less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs, which can lead to lower electricity bills for your tenants.
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- Long Lifespan: LEDs last longer, meaning you won't need to replace burned-out bulbs as often.
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- Enhanced Safety: Because they last so long, you can minimize any potential liability problems that arise when a tenant attempts to change a bulb in a hard-to-reach fixture.
Revitalize Your Units With Baseboard Heater Covers
Old, rusty, and dented baseboard heaters are an eyesore that can detract from an otherwise well-maintained unit. They often collect dust and can look dirty even after a cleaning crew scrubs them thoroughly.
Many property managers assume the only solution is to replace the entire system. However, a much simpler and more affordable option exists. You can dramatically improve the look of a baseboard heater with a snap-on cover.
This innovative solution allows you to conceal the old, unsightly metal fins without any tools or professional help. The new covers simply snap into place over the baseboard heater, giving it a clean, modern look.
A contractor can complete this project in minutes, making it an incredibly efficient upgrade. You can find replacement baseboard heater covers in various styles and colors to match the aesthetic of your units.
They typically consist of durable materials like aluminum or steel and can resist rust or dents, ensuring they'll look great for many years. This simple fix boosts the visual appeal of a room, improves safety, and shows tenants that you care about the small details.
Install Practical Storage Solutions
In any rental unit, storage is a valuable commodity. Tenants always need more space to organize their belongings. Properties that offer additional storage have a distinct advantage in the marketplace.
You can easily add value to your units with simple, practical storage systems. In bedrooms, a contractor can add a second rod in the closets to double hanging space or install a modular closet organizer with shelves and drawers. These additions help tenants maximize their storage and keep their living areas clutter-free.
In the kitchen, a wall-mounted pot rack or spice rack can free up valuable cabinet and counter space. A pull-out trash and recycling bin installed inside a lower cabinet is another popular feature that tenants love because it hides unsightly waste containers.
Entryways and mudrooms also benefit from practical storage. A contractor can install a few simple hooks for coats and bags, along with a small bench or shoe rack. You don't have to make expensive or complex storage changes to satisfy tenants.
Many home improvement and container stores sell affordable, easy-to-install options. By incorporating some of these storage options, you can address a common pain point for renters and make your units more desirable.
Ready To Transform Your Rentals?
You don't need to spend a ton of money to make your rental properties more popular. Our guide to simple unit upgrades for property managers clearly shows that high-impact, low-cost changes can yield impressive results.
These changes attract new tenants, retain current ones, and provide a better ROI. Commit to these upgrades to keep your properties fresh, functional, and desirable in a crowded rental market. Discover how EZ Snap Covers can transform your rental units—our baseboard heater cover will refresh your space in minutes.
