- Detach the auto timer alarm on the oven – tenants sometimes report the stove faulty when the timer goes off, or the oven won’t work
- Trim back bushes and trees for easier access and better sunlight
- Line cupboards, shelves and bottom of drawers with lino off-cuts
- Rub around doors, drawers and cupboards with a white candle to stop them sticking
- Change smoke alarms batteries when the clocks change – 60% of smoke detectors have no battery, or the battery is flat
- Buy a red flashing LED light unit from the $2 shop – looks like it has a burglar alarm system
- Fit door stops on all internal doors to prevent damage and save you $$$heaps in repair bills
- Put new element foil liners in your electric stove top and oven to make it look smarter
- Oil all door hinges with light oil or CRC
- Fit a smoke alarm above the door inside each bedroom – NOT in the kitchen!
- Fit an outflow into the drain for the washing machine – saves any damage from overflowing
- Check taps for drips and stiffness – change washers and re-seat taps
- Make all power outlets doubles and ensure there are plenty of them
- Hang a new shower curtain and rail
- Fit a new toilet seat, toilet roll holder and toilet brush
- Fit a fire extinguisher in the kitchen
- Lock outhouses and sheds with a strong padlock from a Locksmith, rather than a cheap little padlock from the Warehouse
- Replace the stove with a reconditioned one
- Provide a plastic bucket, mop, sponge, cloth, cleaning products, gloves – lets the tenant know you like the place to be kept clean
- Fit deadlocks to all exterior doors
- Fit sensor lights outside the front door, on the pathway, on steps
- Paint the interior walls and ceilings – any colour you like as long as it is white – avoid wallpaper!
- Put automatic lights inside cupboards so they come on when you open the door
- Fit an extractor fan in the kitchen – this is a new compliance requirement for the Healthy Homes Standards
- Wash outside of building and get paths water blasted
- New kitchen benchtops and repainted unit doors/drawers with new handles work wonders
- Make sure all windows and doors close properly and securely, fit insulation foam around frames – this is a new compliance requirement for the Healthy Homes Standards
- Provide whiteware – fridge, freezer, washing machine, drier, microwave
- Fit a dishwasher in the kitchen
- Replace light switches and lampshades
- Provide a dehumidifier
- Provide heating: heat pump, flat panel wall heater – this is a new compliance requirement for the Healthy Homes Standards
- Replace all light bulbs with 100 watt bulbs – makes the place seem brighter and bigger
- Insulate the property with batts and/or polystyrene insulation – this is a new compliance requirement for the Healthy Homes Standards
- Get full insurance cover that includes a Landlord’s Extension
- Build a carport – quick, cheap and simple way to make the property more attractive to tenants AND add capital value
- Build a new fence. Offers security and privacy, and looks good. Also check to see if your neighbours would consider paying half the costs
- Paint the outside of the property
- Fit an extractor fan in bathroom – this is a new compliance requirement for the Healthy Homes Standards
- Wash all the walls and ceilings
- Fit a new letterbox
- Steam clean the carpets
- Fit new curtains
- Have the lawns and garden regularly maintained and build the cost into the rent
- Fit a burglar alarm
- Have the existing (old and rippled) carpet stretched and re-edged
- Renovate the bathroom
- Offer your property inclusive of power and internet, and build the cost into the rent
- Fit an outside light by the front or back door, or on the path, or by the garage/car deck
- Replace or repaint the front door
- Change all the internal doorknobs
- Install a rangehood or extractor fan over the stove – this is a new compliance requirement for the Healthy Homes Standards
- Put a new doormat at the front door
- Change deadlock barrels and keys with each new tenancy
- Send your tenant a bottle of wine and a card at Christmas to thank them for being great tenants
- Use carpet off-cuts in hallways and entrances to protect carpet from wear and staining
- Fit a large screen TV in the livingroom for the tenant’s use
- Fit an alarm system – $500 to $1500
- Fit keyed window locks
- Fit window stays to all ground floor opening windows
- Get friendly with the neighbours
- Join (or form) a local Neighbourhood Watch group
- Sign up to neighbourly.co.nz
