Preventing Do-It-Yourself “Improvements” Gone Wrong at Your Shelby Carter Township Rental Property

Do-it-yourself home improvements are gaining a strong foothold in the industry now. Reality shows and social media have prompted these spikes in people wanting to try to remodel or repair the interior of their homes on their own. However, this trend isn’t just prevalent with homeowners, but among renters as well. Ideally, landlords favor a tenant who will look after their rental home as if it were their own; some renters take it a bit too far. With plenty of practical tactics, Shelby Carter Township property owners can prevent unwanted tenant “improvements” and keep their rental homes in a suitable state.

When dealing with home improvements, the kitchen and bathroom are the usual targets. Hundreds and thousands of these viral videos teach avid do-it-yourselfers how to paint cabinets, change faucets and hardware, and replace light fixtures. Widespread improvements in these types of rooms also include tile backsplashes and brightly painted walls. If accomplished right, these types of minor remodels can result in unique interior spaces.

The issue with custom interiors is that they contribute nothing to your property’s value. As a matter of fact, if your tenant does not do the job well, your property value could even drop. For example, in case your tenant decides to drape wallpaper in the living room, they could scratch the painted surface below at the same time creating a wall-to-wall eyesore that will be too costly to renovate.

Because personal preferences differ, custom interiors can also hurt your ability to lease the home to a new tenant. A decoration in fuchsia may look good for your current renter, but will not seem so attractive for the next one. Meanwhile, if your tenant accidentally hurts themselves or destroys the home’s plumbing or electrical systems in the process, that creates an entirely new set of problems. In case they accidentally crack a pipe or incorrectly connect a fitting while replacing the bathroom faucet, you may be clearing up leaks and water damage that otherwise would have never happened.

While regular upkeep tasks can and should be anticipated of a renter, repairs or the remodeling of any of the home’s perpetual elements should be discouraged in the lease. One other pre-emptive strategy is to conduct regular property evaluations, something that Real Property Management Silverstone gives all of our property owners in Shelby Carter Township 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 managing any tenant requests for enhancements or maintenances. Contact us online or call us at 586-992-6419 to see what we can do for you.