‘Long-term rental’ isn’t just a name you slap onto your property listing. It must have the appropriate features to make it suitable for housing a long-term renter. Long-term renters stay at least 30 days and can last a few months to over a year. Before you’re ready to welcome guests for an extended stay, your rental property must be fitted for long-term renting.
Properties suitable for long-term rentals have many requirements, including regulations, furnishing, and improving the guest experience for extended stays. The proper setup will put your property in demand for long-term tenants. With more than a decade of experience in property management, Sea Scape Properties has helped homeowners like you establish successful long-term rental businesses.
Here’s what separates these properties from short-term vacation rentals in the area.
Choose an ideal location
The first step to having a successful long-term rental property is ensuring it’s in an area attractive to long-term renters. A long-term rental property in a prime location makes your tenant feel at home in a new community with everything necessary for daily living.
Sea Scape Properties is an expert on the local coastal North Carolina market. It has all the best characteristics to appeal to visitors staying longer. Wilmington, for example, offers excellent community infrastructure with businesses, education, shops, and more. Coastal cities like Wrightsville Beach and Topsail Island are popular with snowbirds staying an entire season to escape colder climates.
Furnished for long-term guests
Long-term renters prefer properties that are move-in ready. “Long-term” doesn’t mean “forever,” so most don’t want the added hassle of purchasing furniture and standard appliances during their stay. Proper furnishing signals to potential tenants whether a property is fit for long-term stays.
When furnishing your unit or property, having functional decor for daily use is recommended. Higher quality furniture is more durable. Provide ample seating, table space, dedicated stage areas, shelving, etc. Also, consider including amenities tailored to the local market. Long-term rental properties near the North Carolina beaches can include beach accessories or bikes for getting around.
Fully equipped kitchen
Put yourself in the shoes of a long-term renter. Since most people eat at home most days during the week, having a fully equipped kitchen is a must! Short-term rentals can get away with basic kitchen amenities such as a mini-fridge and microwave. Homeowners can make their property suitable for long-term renting by including additional appliances like a full-sized refrigerator, oven, air fryer, coffee/espresso machine, dishwasher, toaster, etc. Lots of counter space is great for rentals accommodating families or larger groups.
While organizing your kitchen, keep a broom, mop, dustpan, and other cleaning supplies on hand for your tenant to use.
Security
Security works two-fold when owning a long-term rental property. While your property is vacant, it allows you to monitor your investment. When there is a long-term tenant, a security system offers peace of mind for themselves and their belongings. Including security features in your property is an amenity that potential renters love seeing before committing to a long-term leasing agreement.
Exterior security cameras and an alarm system are two basic systems to invest in. Homeowners with condos inside developments have the added security of monitored security gates.
Extra amenities
Laundry day always comes faster than we expect, and toilet paper seems to disappear overnight. Doing laundry and replacing toilet paper, paper towels, etc., are part of the long-term stay experience—but you can help delay it when guests first arrive at your property.
To make your rental property fitting for long-term renting, provide your guests a welcome gift of extra towels, bedding, toilet paper, and other replaceable amenities. Having a backup saves guests the trouble of seeking out the supplies when they first arrive and just starting to get around.
Pet-proof your property
Nearly two-thirds of Americans own pets. Finding a pet sitter or checking your pet into a kennel is acceptable when you’re gone for a short vacation. But long-term renters don’t have the flexibility to be away from their pets for that long. Pet-proofing the accommodation will help protect your asset if you’re keen on allowing pets.
Outfitting your property for pet guests will make it more desirable for pet parents. A few ideas for pet-proofing include hardwood floors for easy cleaning, scratch-resistant furniture, and indoor and outdoor enclosures. If you’re purchasing a rental condo or in an HOA community, confirm that pets are acceptable for residents. Also, be aware that allowing pets will require additional cleaning after your long-term tenant checks out.
Get help from a property management company
Sea Scape Properties is a North Carolina-based property management company specializing in long-term rentals. We equip our homeowners with the right tools and resources to turn their property into a successful long-term rental.
Do you want to see if your property is ready for long-term renting? Learn why our property management services are the right solution for you!