A red “for rent” sign in front of a rental property. In the background, two potential tenants can be seen viewing the property. Property management companies can make it easier for landlords to rent out their homes.

So you’ve decided you want to rent out your Washington State home. Whether it’s short- or long-term, renting your home has the potential to be a great source of supplementary income. However, it can seem daunting when you’re just starting out. How do you find the right tenant? What if you can’t find a renter right away? How long can you afford to have your rental property sit empty?

If you’re wondering how to rent your house, read on for a few helpful tips to prepare. The Zenith Properties team is here to help!

Prepare Your Home for Renters

The most important step is to make sure your home is legally habitable and any necessary repairs are made. Especially if the property you’re renting is older, you might be surprised by how much needs to be fixed up before you can legally rent it out. Minor issues you might be willing to live with at home won’t fly if you’re renting your property out.

You may need to do work on the home’s structure, electrical wiring, plumbing, flooring – or really, any other aspect of the home. The specific requirements for habitable housing vary by state and city so make sure to read your local ‘Warranty of Habitability’ and ‘Habitable Housing’ laws.

Plan for Emergencies

Relying on your tenant for income can come with risks. If they can’t make rent for the month, you don’t get paid. That’s why it’s a good idea to keep a few months’ worth of rent in savings in case of problems like this. 

You might also need to pay for an unexpected repair to an appliance or some other issue with your rental property. A good rule of thumb is if you would keep an emergency fund for something in your own home, keep one for your rental property as well.

Consider Landlord Insurance

Properly insuring your rental property is an important part of keeping your investment safe. This insurance will protect you from various liabilities that come with allowing someone to live in your home. Whether it’s property damage or a natural disaster, it brings peace of mind to know that you’re covered in case of any issues with your property while you’re not around.

Consider a Property Management Company

If you aren’t sure whether you can handle renting your property on your own, don’t worry – that’s where property management companies like Zenith Properties come in. We help with every step of the process, starting with marketing your property. If your tenant puts in a maintenance request, we handle finding a contractor to help them. (We even offer 24-hour emergency repair services!) If you need a new tenant in a hurry, we’ll help you find one. We even collect rent on your behalf. 

Count on Zenith Properties for Professional Property Management Services

The Zenith Properties team is dedicated to helping property owners and tenants alike. We help landlords with everything from property maintenance to tenant screening and more. We also help match tenants to their ideal rental property and streamline the process of paying rent and requesting maintenance. No need to worry about your rental sitting empty; we match quality tenants and rentals as quickly as possible. We want to make the rental process easier for everyone involved so that nobody has to worry about the small details. 

Zenith Properties makes it easy. If you’re interested in renting out your house in , give us a call today to learn more about how we can help you!

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How To Rent Out Your House in Washington State

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