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Should You Add A Fire Pit At Your Rental Property?

Are you thinking about adding a fire pit to your Beaverton Rental Property? If so, you’ve come to the right place!

Adding a fire pit is a smart investment to make, especially during the summer months, when people tend to spend more time outside.

In this article, we will cover everything you need to know about fire pits so that you can choose the best one for your rental property.

Gas Fire Pits

Gas fire pits are ideal because of the simple fact that once the gas is turned on, the fire pit will produce an instant flame.

Installing a gas fire pit may be more costly than a traditional wood fire pit, and they may require more maintenance during the year, but these fire pits also offer the following benefits:

  • Adds A Sense Of Style to Your Outdoor Living Area
  • Extends The Outdoor Season For Your Tenants
  • They Turn On and Off Easily
  • Gas fire pits hold Up Well to the Elements

Traditional Fire Pits

Before installing a tradition fire pit on your property, make sure that you are choosing a location that’s no less than 15 feet away from your rental property, and ten feet away from power lines. This is important because you want to have peace of mind that no sparks or embers will catch your property or nearby structures on fire.

It’s also best to study the prevailing wind direction online so that you can best determine how the wind will blow once the fire is lit.

The fire pit must by at least 44 inches wide and 14 inches high. These dimensions ensure that people will be able to sit comfortably at the end of the fire pit.

Regardless of the style of fire pit that you choose, it’s also best to add a fire extinguisher next to the fire pit, so that tenants can easily put out fires should they begin to get out of control.

Tenants should also be instructed about fire pit safety when they move in, including basic tips like the following:

  • Don’t use flammable fluids (gasoline, lighter fluid, etc.) to light or relight fires.
  • Don’t wear flammable clothing (like nylon) or any loose-fitting clothing.
  • Keep children and pets at least three feet away from the fire.
  • Avoid using soft woods like pine or cedar, because they can pop and throw sparks.
  • Keep a fire extinguisher, garden hose or bucket of water nearby.

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For more property management tips, or to speak with us about the property management services we can offer you, contact us today by calling (503) 447-7735 or click here.

Rental Property Upgrades That Are Not Worth The Money

Are you planning on making upgrades to your Beaverton rental property?

Upgrading your rental property will help increase the value of your property, and keep your tenant happy, but some upgrades are not worth the money.

In this article, we will break down upgrades that you should not make to your Beaverton rental property.

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Upgrades That Are Not Worth The Money

Granite Counter Tops – Yes, even though granite countertops are a favorite feature that many home design show gurus add to their rental properties, the reality is that these countertops are not worth the best investment for a rental property.

Granite countertops are not worth the investment because they are more costly than other solid surface countertop types and they can also be difficult to keep clean.

Elaborate Landscaping – When it comes to your Oregon rental property landscaping, all you need is a clean look in the front yard and a suitable backyard that also offers room for play.

What you don’t want to do is get elaborate with landscaping and add plants that require more time and maintenance because most tenants don’t want to spend time maintaining landscaping.

Wood Flooring – Every landlord wants to add the best features to their homes but wood flooring isn’t always the best option because it can be hard to clean/maintain and many tenants won’t have the time to invest in keeping the flooring clean.

For best results, use carpeting in the bedroom and dining areas, then use laminate or another type of high-use flooring that can easily be cleaned when needed.

Contact Rent Portland Homes – Professionals

At Rent Portland Homes – Professionals, we specialize in property management for single-family and multifamily properties in the PDX area.

Our team can help with you our full suite of property management services which include rent collection, maintenance, customer service, accounting, and more

For a property management quote, contact us today by calling (503) 447-7735 or click here to connect with us online.

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Is Window Replacement Necessary For Your Rental Property?

Are you thinking about replacing the windows in your rental property but you’re not sure if you should make this improvement now, or continue to wait?

Windows are often the last thing that gets replaced because they can often last for more than 30 years, but there are obvious signs when it’s time to replace them.

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How To Know When To Replace The Windows In Your Rental Property

Age – If the windows in your rental property are more than 20 years old, this is one sign that you should consider replacing them.

Use – Have your tenants complained the windows are difficult to open or close? This is another sign that you should consider investing in new windows for your Oregon property.

Moisture – Most important of all, if your rental property has more moisture inside than normal, this is another sign that they should be replaced because that moisture will lead to mold and more repairs for your property.

Noise – Can you easily hear outside noise, even while you are inside your property? This is another sign that it’s time to replace those windows because a noisy property could make it difficult for your tenants to enjoy living there.

How Much Do New Windows Cost?

Window replacement can cost up to $1200 (or more) per window, depending on the style and material of the window, so it’s to choose a window that matches the style of your property while also being budget-friendly at the same time.

Some of the most basic types of windows include:

  • Casement windows
  • Awning windows
  • Bay windows
  • Slider windows
  • Picture windows
  • Single-hung windows
  • Double-hung windows

Once you replace the windows at your rental property, they should be inspected and maintained annually because proper window maintenance can help your investment to last 20-30 years.

Contact Rent Portland Homes – Professionals

At Rent Portland Homes – Professionals, we specialize in local property management for single-family and multifamily properties across Beaverton, Portland, and the surrounding areas.

To learn more about the property management services that we can offer you, contact us today by calling (503) 447-7735 or click here to connect with us online.

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How Your Tenants Can Decorate Their Rental Properties Without Damaging Them  

In today’s world, most tenants want to decorate their rental properties because they want to personalize those properties and make them feel like they are their own.

Sadly, when it comes to decorating, this often involves damage because some tenants may use screws and nails while other tenants go a little too far when it comes to personalizing their properties.

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What Are The Do’s Of Decorating A Rental Property

The new time you rent to a new tenant, make sure that they are aware of the following do’s and don’t of decorating a rental property.

Do use command hooks – Thanks to command hooks, or similar products, it’s possible for tenants to decorate their rental properties without using nails or screws.

Do use area rugs – Using a few area rugs in a rental property can effectively personalize the floors of that property, make it feel more like a home, and also insulate the floors to limit heat loss during the winter.

Do use peel and stick wall coverings – Tenants who want to paint, or personalize the walls inside a property should be encouraged to use peel and stick wall coverings instead because these wall coverings offer a wide variety of patterns and are very easy to use.

Do invest in additional lighting – Another great way to personalize a rental property is lighting because adding more light can easily brighten up any dark space and make a rental property feel like home.

What Are The Don’t Of Decorating A Rental Property?

Don’t use nails or screws in walls – As we mentioned above, screws and nails are unnecessary in today’s world simply because command strips offer the same functionality and cause no damage to walls.

Don’t allow permanent fixtures without permission – If your tenant is thinking about adding a permanent fixture to the rental Oregon property, they must get your permission first. This is important because that fixture must complement the design/look of the property and be easy to remove (if needed) once the tenant moves out.

Don’t allow paint without permission – Tenants who want to paint their rental properties should be made aware that they can paint them only with your permission first.

This is important because if the tenant paints the property, they must be made aware that the property must be repainted a neutral color once they move out.

Some tenants will balk at repainting the property themselves before moving out, leaving this job to their landlords, so it’s best to make sure that they know they will be required to repaint or risk losing a portion of their security deposit due to this cost that you may incur.

Contact Rent Portland Homes – Professionals

At Rent Portland Homes – Professionals, we’re experts at local property management and our team can assist you with managing your single-family, or multifamily rental properties.

To learn more about the services we can offer you, contact us today by calling (503) 447-7735 or click here to connect with us online.

security-deposit
2022 Guide To Understanding Security Deposits And Deductions

Are you planning on renting a rental property in Beaverton Oregon, and have questions about security deposits or deductions?

A security deposit is a set amount of money that a landlord will ask you to pay in advance because that money will be held by the landlord throughout your tenancy, and it will only be used if repairs are needed if you move out, or if you left any unpaid bills.

Before signing your rental agreement, you should read through your entire lease so that you have an understanding of the security deposit amount, including your landlords’ expectations for maintenance at the property during your tenancy.

What Are The Common Reasons For Security Deposit Deductions?

Besides maintenance or unpaid bills at the rental property, some of the other common reasons for security deposit deductions include:

  • Breaking the lease early
  • Non-payment of rent
  • Unpaid utility bills
  • Major cleaning costs

Your landlord must provide you with a complete breakdown of how your security deposit was used just so you can move on to your next Oregon property without having to wonder if the money was used correctly or not.

Best Ways To Get Your Security Deposit Back

Let’s face it, in today’s world, no tenant likes having to pay thousands of dollars for a security deposit, this is understandable because rents are only continuing to increase each year.

Thankfully, there are a variety of things that you can do to get your security deposit back including the following:

Take care of your rental property – Regardless of whether you’re moving into a single-family home or apartment, you should take care of that rental because it will mean less maintenance for your landlord after you move out.

Clean before you move – Although some tenants don’t care about cleaning their rental property before they move, cleaning is important because if you live the property in ‘move-in ready condition’, it will be easier for your landlord to rent the unit and give you your full security deposit back.

Give proper notice before moving – Last of all, don’t hesitate to give your landlord proper notice before you move out.

This tip is very important because your landlord can work with you to inspect the property before you move, giving you time to clean or fix any issues, eliminating the need for them to deduct money from your security deposit.

Contact Rent Portland Homes – Professionals

To search for a rental property in Beaverton Oregon, or to speak with us about our property management services, click here or call (503) 447-7735 or click here to connect with us online.

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