What is a Renter Bill of Rights and how is it shaping tenant rights in 2024?

Renter Rights Are Changing: What Homeowners Need To Know In 2024

Tenant rights are in the spotlight in 2024. From rent stabilization to air conditioning, it seems every month there is a new vote or proposal for renter rights. 

But while some homeowners feel nervous about the impact or limitation on their rental income, this shouldn’t be a cause for concern. Renting is a two-way street. Treating your residents well makes good financial sense for the profitability and longevity of your rental home. 

To make it easier to uphold the homeowner-resident relationship (and stay on the right side of the law) here are some tenant rights and changes to be aware of in 2024. 

5 changes to tenant rights that all landlords should know

1. More cities are adopting a ‘Renter Bill of Rights’

In 2023, The White House issued a blueprint for a ‘Renters Bill of Rights’. It’s not federal policy or law, but it did kickstart a number of tenants rights campaigns at a local level. 

The Renter Bill of Rights outlines five principles for rental housing:

Safe, quality, accessible and affordable housing

Education, enforcement, and enhancement of renter rights

Eviction prevention, diversion, and relief

As a homeowner, it’s worth being aware of these recommendations as your local city might propose ways to make them law. There are already many tenant ordinances being introduced across the country (e.g. San Diego and Tacoma). 

Related: California Rental Laws Are Changing in 2024: What Landlords Need To Know

When COVID-19 protections ended, a number of cities opted to keep ‘just cause evictions’'. In 2024, more homeowners need to have a justifiable reason for evicting a tenant from their rental home. This is to protect good residents from being ousted for the purpose of raising rent above local caps or stabilization measures. 

Tenant protection laws are also seeing evictions evolve to include things like:

Offering relocation payment if residents can’t afford new rent or you want to move back into the home

Limitations on evictions of educators and families during school terms

The right to hold eviction proceedings remotely

Changes to notice periods or period to resolve issues before an eviction is filed

If you ever need to file an eviction, be sure to check your local city ordinances to see how 2024 changes may impact this decision. 

If you’re a Belong homeowner, contact us first so we can advise the best course of action and shield you from legal costs with eviction protection. 

Related: How To Avoid Costly Evictions With Belong’s Game-Changing Safety Net For Homeowners

3. Screening and discrimination laws have changed

If you manage your own tenant screening, you need a standard applied to all applicants to avoid discrimination under Fair Housing Laws. But in 2024, you should also check for local extensions to this law. 

For example, ‘Source of Income’ discrimination is where an applicant is rejected for using government housing vouchers/rental subsidies. New York outlaws this and as of January 1st, California requires homeowners to accept evidence other than credit history for voucher holders to show they can pay their portion of the rent (such as a benefit or bank statement). 

Then there are new ‘first come, first served’ laws, like the City of Seattle’s ‘First in Time’ requirement. Seattle homeowners need to accept the first qualified applicant, rather than pooling applications. This means less choice and control for homeowners, but it also reduces the risk of bias and potential discrimination against renters.  

Pro Tip: Eliminate the screening headaches and legal minefield by letting Belong find you the best long-term residents for your home. We’ll even guarantee their rent and protect you from any costly evictions. Learn more about becoming a Belong homeowner. 

4. “Junk fees” are under the microscope

Some homeowners and property management companies (not Belong!) charge an application fee or screening costs to potential renters when looking for new tenants. In July 2023, The White House also called out the hidden costs of renting and the “junk fees” that plague the industry. 

Since President Biden brought the problem to light, several states have introduced bills to crack down on hidden rental housing fees. Expect to see more in 2024 and real estate search platforms commit to showing the true cost of renting in the listed fees.

Massachusetts and Vermont have already outlawed application fees. Virginia, Wisconsin, California and New York cap what homeowners can pass on and some cities give applicants the right to have the fee returned if they aren’t successful.  

Before listing a rental home in 2024, make sure you’re on top of any local changes and be prepared to include all extra costs upfront in your price, especially if you’re charging extra fees. 

If your home is looked after by Belong, you can relax. Transparency is one of the many issues that Belong addresses for homeowners and their residents. 

Discover Belong: See why thousands of US homeowners are ditching outdated Property Management in San Francisco, Austin, San Diego, Los Angeles, Tampa, Jacksonville, Orlando and more.

5. Security deposits are getting a shake-up 

Many tenant-landlord laws permit homeowners to ask whatever they like for a security deposit. There have been few controls over when to return the money or how damages were claimed. 

This is still the case for some regions, but many jurisdictions are tightening their policies on security deposits to avoid exploitation of residents. Local legislation varies, but new rulings include: 

Capping the maximum amount of security deposits

Reducing the deadline for when security deposits need to be returned

Providing documented evidence for damage claims

Giving an option to pay a month fee in lieu of a security deposit


Pro Tip: Belong gives residents the flexible option to pay their security deposit in installments, so you don’t need to forgo this safety net for the sake of breaking down costs.

Local laws can override your lease agreement

While lease agreements are legally binding, you can’t sneak in a disclaimer about your property to change the rules e.g. accepting the home in a poor condition or changes to the security deposit. Local ordinances and state laws override any agreement in your lease. It’s important to ensure that everything is above board before you sign on any new residents. 

This can also be an issue when using one of the many free lease agreement templates available online. Be wary that these documents may not be updated to 2024 standards or may be void by local laws. The safest way to ensure you have a legally binding contract is to engage professional services such as a real estate lawyer or an experienced management company like Belong. 

What is a Renter Bill of Rights and how is it shaping tenant rights in 2024? This guide for landlords shows five ways renter rights and law are evolving in 2024.

Get Great Residents and Guaranteed Rent with Belong

Guaranteed rent, innovative financing, 24/7 support, a world-class app and cash referrals are just some of the ways Belong is leaving property management behind

9 Ways Belong Flipped Property Management on its Head

Renting is rarely described as ‘lovable’ — but we’re on a mission to change that.

Belong’s vision for the US housing market is one where homes empower individuals, not just corporations. We want to help homeowners find financial success, while ensuring renters feel a true sense of belonging in their homes.

Property management has failed to do that. 

Renters endure disrespect or indifference, while homeowners face frustration with hidden fees and a lack of communication. It’s time to restore confidence that long-term renting can be both profitable and lovable. 

How? By being high-tech but human. Belong is a proptech company on a mission to fix long-term renting by focusing on innovation and services that support everyone. Here’s a glimpse at some of the ways we’re doing that and flipping property management on its head. 

9 Belong Innovations That Make Renting Lovable

1. We made rental payments flexible and predictable

As 2020 reminded us, life is unpredictable. Flexibility is now a top priority for people and many industries such as airlines and events were forced to accommodate this. But property management didn’t budge.  

Renters need flexibility to pay on a schedule that won’t put them behind, but homeowners need predictability in their rental income. So Belong found a way to offer both. 

Every resident on Belong has the flexibility to choose their rent payment schedule. Homeowners get this rent guaranteed, every month. If your residents want to pay weekly, you’ll still get predictable payments every month. Some homeowners even get their entire year upfront for the year — no catch. It’s your money, your cashflow, your choice. 

Read more: How Guaranteed Rent is Changing Property Management Forever

2. We allowed control over expenses and cashflow

Rental homes have their fair share of expenses that eat into cashflow. So Belong has found a way to make this smoother and more predictable too. 

Belong homeowners can spread costs like maintenance work and insurance across a lease. The same guaranteed income every month, less a repayment for any expenses you need to defer. This makes your cashflow smoother and more predictable, even if you didn’t budget for that unexpected plumbing emergency!

We didn’t forget our residents here either. They can spread the cost of renters insurance and even their security deposit. Residents also get credit for every on-time rental payment to build towards priority access to future rentals or even buying an eligible home on the Belong network in future.  

Read more: How Flexible Payment Options Are Unlocking Positive Cash Flow for Landlords in 2024

3. We took a ‘radically honest’ approach to fees

Flexibility with payment is important, but so is honesty. Traditional property management companies are notorious for hiding fees. There’s sneaky extras for essentials like setup costs, lease renewals or marketing photos. Or the realization that the “eviction protection” you paid a premium for is capped at a measly $500. 

Belong went the other way. Full transparency. Our management fee is a flat 8%, it’s capped so it never gets unreasonable, and it includes everything you need to market and run your home well. We’re so confident in our resident placement that we include up to $15,000 in eviction protection for anyone we place if we ever need to start eviction proceedings. 

Read more: How To Avoid Costly Evictions With Belong’s Game-Changing Safety Net For Homeowners

4. We took the guesswork out of pricing rental homes

Property management companies use guesswork and your neighbors to set the market price for your home. But in this day and age, it’s not fast or adaptive to real shifts in the market. Pricing medians rarely work either, giving false expectations due to the huge range of homes it encompasses. 

Belong developed smarter tech and pricing algorithms that identifies what your home is really worth on the rental market. True market data and real-time interest from potential residents work to maximize the value of homes on the Belong network.

5. We ditched the static ‘portal’ for an industry-leading app

Sure, property management has online portals to log a request and maybe pay rent online. But Belong has built an industry-busting app that connects everyone seamlessly to the services they want and need. 

The Belong app gives everyone access to 24/7 support (yes, with real people replying to your residents on weekends!) and lets homeowners respond in real-time to maintenance requests with our 10,000+ strong vendor network. It puts everything at your fingertips, from tracking your cashflow and financial goals, to buying insurance or even approving new residents. 

6. We made it easier to protect your asset

Homeowners need insurance to protect their property (especially if you have a mortgage). But what many don’t realize is that home insurance only covers owner-occupied homes and claims can be denied if you rent out a home. 

But getting the right insurance is arduous and time consuming. Not all companies offer dedicated landlord/rental home insurance. Or they make you jump through hoops like combining policies with your own home. It was time for that to change too. 

Insurance is available in just a few clicks through the Belong app. Homeowners can add a rental policy to their account anytime, anywhere. We ask all residents to get insurance for extra peace of mind, which they can buy (and spread the cost of) through the Belong app. Simple! 

Read More: What Type of Insurance Should I Get For My Rental Property?

7. We created scheduled maintenance, so you can forget it

Homes need regular upkeep. But busy homeowners don’t want reminders, they need it done. So Belong introduced a way to make sure preventive maintenance runs like clockwork. Add, pause or remove recurring services, right from the Belong app. From lawn mowing to gutter cleaning, set and forget your seasonal home maintenance and let Belong do all the work. 

Read more: Why Ignoring Rental Home Maintenance Could Cost You More Than Repairs

8. We integrated with the top rental listing sites  

Going online is how people find rental homes. It makes sense that your home should be everywhere, not just 1-2 places. Belong starts with 26, plus our own popular platform. 

To innovate this process, we developed direct integration with top listing platforms such as Zillow and Zumper. When you list a home with Belong, it’s automatically featured everywhere. This gets 30-50% more views for your home and a direct feed of applicants into the Belong system. This lets us contact potential residents quickly and find the best applicant faster than a traditional property manager could. 


It’s another way that Belong reduces vacancy times and costs for homeowners, with 66% less vacancy than competitors and an average of 29 qualified applications for every home listed.


9. We dropped the labels and power imbalance

Inclusive language is important. It’s a powerful tool in creating empathy and understanding of each other as individuals, not commodities. Labels like landlord and tenant highlight the power imbalance in the rental market and treat people as financial transactions.

In creating a more lovable, humane rental experience, we dropped the outdated labels. We use inclusive terms like homeowners and residents, focusing on the emotional connection we have to homes (not just ‘properties’). We occasionally have to use the old terms when writing about legal or financial topics, but we include disclaimers because we think it’s time for these labels to be retired.  

Join the tech-forward property management alternative

Find rental home success in Seattle with 8 ideas for creating a successful long-term management strategy and optimizing your rental home in Washington state.

Rent Out Your Seattle Home Like a Pro in 2024

Life in Washington State is a desirable one. And with a diverse cultural scene, spectacular national parks, and big employers across healthcare, tech and retail — Seattle and its surrounds has plenty of demand for rentals. 

But that doesn’t mean it’s an easy place to make a quick buck either. A high cost of entry, hot competition, and economic uncertainty mean you need a smart, long-term strategy to realize financial goals from a rental home. 

In this article, we dive into 8 tips for achieving rental success in Seattle and beyond.

8 ways to optimize your rental home in Washington state

1. Create a long-term rental strategy to achieve financial goals 

Seattle is one of the most expensive cities in the US, but also a city where patience is greatly rewarded. Having a smart rental management strategy in place and holding property can help you achieve your financial goals comfortably. 

According to data from NeighborhoodScout, Seattle real estate appreciated by 98% between 2013 - 2023. Even with prices cooling post-pandemic, long-term homeowners are well and truly ahead. 

Spokane is another area in Washington that has done exceptionally well. With more renters chasing affordable housing and space to work remotely, Spokane property appreciated by 146.46% in the same period. The last five years alone saw appreciation grow by 64%, or an average of 10.41% per year. 

When considering your financial goals for a rental home in Washington State or Seattle, it’s worth thinking long-term. Exiting the market quickly may not see the same returns due to the high entry costs. 

2. Lock in predictable, consistent rent 


A long-term renting strategy is easier if you can predict your returns over time. A per-night rate as a short-term rental may be enticing, but this also comes with a lot of headaches and uncertainty. 

Seattle in particular has strict limitations, licensing and fees for short-term rentals that don’t apply to the long-term rental market. Washington state lawmakers are also considering an additional 10% tax on STRs, creating further uncertainty around income. 

There are far-reaching benefits for both homeowners and the wider community when you opt to rent out a home on a long term basis. Belong wants to give confidence to homeowners in choosing this option by offering predictable, guaranteed rent. With Belong, you’ll get paid your rental income like clockwork, regardless of when residents pay.

Read More: How Guaranteed Rent is Changing Property Management Forever

3. Stay informed on local tenant-landlord laws and bills

Washington is full of local ordinances, so laws and eviction rules vary between cities. This can make compliance a bit of a minefield if you don’t have your finger on the pulse! Cities including Seattle, Tecoma, and Bellingham have all passed strong renter protections and eviction laws that differ from the rest of the state. The City of Olympia passed new tenant protections as recently as March 2024. 

Homeowners should also watch bills on the horizon such as House Bill 2114. This seeks to limit rent increases in the state to 7% per year (but has a way to go before it becomes law).

Belong makes compliance simple. We’ll help you meet financial goals while also providing unparalleled service to your residents. This goes beyond staying on the right side of the law, with 24/7 human support. And if things take a turn, Belong homeowners are protected with $15,000 of eviction coverage. 

Read More: 5 New Laws Washington State Landlords Should Be Prepared For in 2024

The Washington and Seattle real estate market is very seasonal. While the pandemic era chaos saw rents surge, seasonality is returning with peaks and troughs. Understanding demand trends for your pocket of Washington is essential to setting competitive rent and securing long-term residents at the right price. 

Take a look at Zillow’s median rental price for single-family homes in Seattle. The graph below illustrates a steep curve that peaks between June and September before dropping right off in December-January. 

Belong data shows similar trends, with prices peaking in the warmer months every year across Washington state. 

Read More: How To Achieve The Best Rent By Listing In Summer

5. Consider making your home a pet-friendly rental

Washington state has a very high pet ownership rate — there’s over 42,000 pet licenses registered in Seattle alone (more pets than kids!). 

The trend towards remote and hybrid work has also seen an increase in pet adoption. If you’re looking for ways to increase the appeal (and price) of your home, it’s safe to say that pet-friendly rentals have a competitive advantage in Washington. With proper screening and allowable pet fees, this could be a simple way to expand your applicant pool. 

6. Market your home, neighborhood and amenities

Washington state is home to incredible national parks, cultural icons, industry titans, and many top-rated school districts. Owning a rental home within walking distance of any of these pull-factors will have an impact on the return and income you can expect. 

Be sure to include these factors when marketing your rental home — and when creating a pricing strategy. If you’re struggling, Belong can help by using a clever combination of technology, real-time demand and human smarts to set the best price that will attract long-term residents to your home. 

A rental home isn’t a reliable source of income when it’s vacant. One way to ensure your rental home remains a successful asset in a state like Washington is to invest in proper maintenance and have the right insurance coverage. 

Budgeting for maintenance and insurance is a short-term expense that can pay off long-term. It’s cheaper than having to make major repairs or go through a period where the home can’t be lived in, especially in the case of a fire or natural disaster. 

This is why Belong has built an incredible vendor network of over 10,000 vetted contractors across the country. Homeowners can make instant requests and set up subscriptions for regular maintenance on your rental home — even purchase rental home insurance. And to avoid any dents in your cash flow Belong offers flexible payment options for these services. 

Read More: Why Ignoring Rental Home Maintenance Could Cost You More Than Repairs

8. Consider smart home or sustainability upgrades to your rental

People love Washington because of its diverse geology — and they want to keep it that way. Seattle and Washington residents tend to be environmentally conscious, so investing in cost-efficient sustainability upgrades with lower running costs could attract more applicants and potentially justify higher rent. 

And with tech giants like Microsoft and Amazon calling Seattle home, simple smart-home upgrades are likely to be appreciated by professionals looking for a place to rent. 

Achieve financial freedom with real estate in Washington

If you’re looking for stability in your rental experience, Belong has you covered. We’re making rental finances predictable by offering stable, guaranteed rent. We’re providing flexible payment options to keep your cash flow steady. And we’re doing it while providing a better way of living for the millions of Americans who rent. 

Working together, we can put people first and change what it means to rent a home in Seattle and greater Washington. Belong can help you reach your financial goals, while also creating lasting, positive impact on innumerable lives for decades to come.

Interested in learning more about Belong in Washington state? Check out one of our local pages below:

The best property management alternative in Seattle

The best property management alternative in Spokane 

Earn Guaranteed Rent For Your Seattle Rental

Whether you’re dealing with a problematic property management company or just burnt out on self-managing your rental homes, Belong can help.

From Frustration to Freedom: Why Homeowners Choose Belong

Not all rental homeowners consider themselves to be landlords building real estate empires. In reality there are many situations where homeowners find themselves on the rental market unexpectedly. It’s so common that it’s created the term ‘accidental landlords’. 

Common scenarios that create accidental landlords include:

Locking in a record-low interest rate that you don’t want to give up for higher mortgage repayments

Owning a house you love, but needing to move for work

Needing more space for your family but hoping to return one day 

Being priced out of the neighborhood you want to live, but buying a home you can afford elsewhere to achieve home ownership

Not everyone who rents out a home loves the idea of even being called a ‘landlord’ (accidental or otherwise!). The term has such a negative connotation that Belong doesn’t even call our homeowners that! 

One of Belong’s specialties is working with homeowners who are taking on the challenge of rental home management for the first time. Our goal is to keep homes in the hands of individuals — finding wonderful humans to treat the home as their own and keep homeowner headaches and frustrations at bay. 

Is hiring property management the right choice? What’s the alternative?

Property managers are supposed to make your life easier, taking care of your rental home residents so you can enjoy your investment without worry. But the reality is often not so glossy. Common complaints of traditional property management companies include poor communication, hidden fees, low-quality maintenance work, and high property vacancy. 

Property managers work in a way where your profit comes at the expense of the people who occupy your home. It’s not good for you and it’s not good for your residents. 

That’s why Belong exists. Belong gives rental homeowners an alternative, without having to do all the heavy lifting yourself. We’re solving the broken property management system to create a new residential network, with perks that will make renting out your home more enjoyable and profitable. 

The end result? A rental home management partner that looks out for you, your cash flow, and your residents with innovative solutions that make renting lovable. 

How Belong is changing and simplifying rental management

Belong looks after rental homes, but isn’t a traditional property management company. Think of us more as a technology company with a human heart. Where long-term renting meets hospitality. Belong addresses both sides of the housing crisis by supporting homeowners to meet their financial goals and looking after residents to get them into home ownership sooner. 

Here are five reasons to choose Belong over traditional property management or DIY:

Never chase a rental payment again. Ever. 

Belong homeowners earn guaranteed rent, which means you get paid every month — no matter when we receive it. This is our way of “putting our money where our mouth is”. We’re so confident in our resident placement and screening process that we can pay you like clockwork. It also provides your residents with the flexibility to pay on their schedule, without impacting yours. 

2. Transparent fees that include a whole lot


Many property management companies will advertise low management rates that seem very appealing up front, but include only the bare minimum. Soon, your 6% management fee can skyrocket to thousands of dollars upfront and per month.

At Belong, our management fee is a transparent 8% and free of junk fees. We never hide costs or charge extra for what we think should be essential. This includes our most in-demand services such as guaranteed rent, flexible payment options, 24/7 support, and up to $15,000 in eviction protection from legal costs if you ever need it. 

This dramatically simplifies your life as a homeowner and makes predicting your cash flow a breeze. 

3. Constant innovation and homeowner perks

We pride ourselves on being different from old-school companies that haven’t changed since 1980. That’s why we infuse technology into everything we do. 

Our industry-leading homeowner app puts everything you need at your fingertips, including:

Help and support when you need it (yes, even on weekends!) 

Flexible financing to spread the cost of maintenance or home expenses

Get rental home insurance to protect your asset

Access cash flow insights and tax documentation

Review and approve maintenance requests, connecting with our 10,000+ strong vendor network

And this is just the beginning. As a tech-forward solution, Belong is always innovating to make the rental experience better for everyone. 

Belong residents get access to 24/7 support, a user-friendly app for simple payments, and credit towards their home deposit with every on-time rent payment. It’s why Belong homes find residents quickly and keep them longer. 73% of Belong residents renew their 12-month lease, keeping vacancies low and your home well cared for. 

Did you know that Belong integrates into all popular listing platforms such as Zillow and Zumper? When you list with Belong, you’ll automatically be featured on all the top sites. This matters because it means, you’ll get 30-50% more views for your home as well as a direct feed of applicants from these sites into the Belong system. This lets us contact potential residents quickly and find the best applicant faster than a traditional property manager could. 

It’s another way that Belong reduces vacancy times and costs for homeowners, with 66% less vacancy than competitors and an average of 29 qualified applications for every home listed. 

How to maximize your ROI if your home is under lease

Maybe this isn’t your first rental home experience. Maybe you’re fed up with a problematic property management company or burnt out on self-managing your rental home. If this is the case, Belong can help in two easy steps — even if you’re mid-lease. 

If your rental home is currently occupied, you can apply to join Belong and make sure your residents and cash flow are well taken care of. 

To get started, you can find our online qualification process here. We’ll reach out to confirm if your home is a good fit for Belong. We’ll also help you with all the logistics if you’re switching from a property manager. 

We’ll work with your residents to make the transition as seamless as possible. They will remain on their existing lease, but also access Belong's easy online payment options and concierge support.

2. Get your residents qualified for guaranteed rent

To access guaranteed rent for existing residents, Belong will need to qualify them with our screening process. 9/10 residents are qualified for our guaranteed rent program.

If your residents move out at the end of their lease, we’ll help you find your next residents so you continue earning passive income with no interruptions. We’ll also include protection of up to $15,000 in legal fees for any residents we place if we ever need to start eviction proceedings. 

Belong is simplifying the rental experience and helping more homeowners reach their financial goals through real estate. Visit our homeowner's page to find out more about how our services are helping people to ditch property management in Seattle, San Francisco, Houston, Los Angeles, Orlando, Charlotte, Miami and many more.

Get guaranteed rent, better cash flow, and 24/7 support for your rental home by ditching outdated property management for Belong, the modern alternative.

How to Ditch Your Property Manager and Join Belong

To improve cash flow for your rental home, listing at times of peak demand will help you achieve the best rent long-term. Learn why summer 2024 is that time.

Peak Cash Flow: How To Achieve The Best Rent By Listing In Summer 2024

Summer rentals often make us think of vacation homes. After all, it’s when holidaymakers are out and when short-term rentals make the most cash. But while short-term rentals may give a quick cash boost, a long-term approach may serve your financial needs better throughout the year. 

Summer is also when rents peak in the long-term market. By securing residents for the next 12 months (especially with guaranteed rent), you can have predictable income year-around. This will let you plan your financial goals with certainty, while also providing an invaluable service to the community — a place to call home. 

In this article, we’ll dive into why summer is the best time to market your rental home and how to get it ready to optimize your pricing. 


Short-term vs long-term strategy for renting a home over summer

Summer used to be a sure-thing for cash-flow on vacation homes. But with a glut of stock now available, many owners of short-term rentals are struggling with a huge drop-off in bookings over peak periods. 

Then there’s the headache of licensing, caps, fees and taxes, which are only increasing as cities like Seattle and San Diego make moves to curb short-term rentals from eating up a much-needed housing supply. Per-night or per-week rates seem attractive, but vacancies, fees and running costs can eat into extra profit. 

This is why it’s worth doing the math on renting out your home long-term for summer, when demand and pricing peaks. On the Belong network, we see rents and applicants rise over Spring before peaking in September and declining again from October. This makes summer the perfect time to lock in long-term residents. And if you trust your home to Belong, we’ll help you achieve the best possible price and then guarantee that it’s paid like clockwork, regardless of when residents pay. 

If you have a vacation home, spring is the ideal time to consider if switching to a long-term rental could help achieve your financial goals. This gives you time to find the ideal residents and lock in the best possible rental price when demand is at its highest. 

Read more: Short-Term Rental vs. Long-Term Rental: The Pros and Cons

6 tips for getting your rental home move-in ready for summer

Whether you’re switching to a long-term lease or are preparing to attract a new wave of applicants, here are six things you can do in spring to get your home move-in ready. Tackling maintenance jobs now will save money in the long run and help to secure good cash flow for the next 12 months and beyond. 

1. Get an inspection for long-term livability


For millions of people across the US, renting isn’t a temporary measure. With housing affordability at some of the lowest levels ever, more people are looking to rentals as a place to call home. 

Even if your home is already a rental, it’s a good idea to have a pre-lease inspection that focuses on two main areas: safety and resident experience. Homes that are inviting and comfortable attract more interest, helping to secure a better price long-term. 

At a minimum it means making sure air conditioning units are working, pipes aren’t leaking, pests controlled and no safety hazards or mold. But you may also consider a fresh coat of paint, new shower heads or little upgrades to make the house feel like a home. If you haven’t budgeted for this, Belong can help with flexible payment options on home maintenance and access to over 10,000 vetted contractors. 

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