From appliances to safety checks, here’s how to impress new tenants.
So, you’ve signed the lease with your new tenants. Congratulations! You’ve secured solid renters, the paperwork’s out of the way, and now you’ve got a window of time to get your property in shape before move-in day. Here’s the catch: that window is smaller than you think, and how you use it ABSOLUTELY matters.
Courtesy of user32212
Too many landlords slap on a coat of paint, vacuum the carpets, and call it a day. But if you want to protect your investment and keep your tenants happy (read: reduce turnover, complaints, and late-night “the oven won’t start” calls), you need a structured approach. That’s where this timeline comes in.
This isn’t a fluffy checklist. It’s a no-nonsense, boots-on-the-ground guide to getting your Dallas-area rental home ready — written for landlords who rent to middle-class families and expect a return on their effort. Follow this, and you’ll not only avoid tenant headaches, you’ll also look like the kind of landlord people actually want to rent from.
Immediately After Lease Signing: Lock Down the Big Picture
The ink’s barely dry, but this is your chance to get organized.
Document Everything: Walk the property and take photos or video of every room, inside and out. This protects you when it’s time to talk about the security deposit. You’ll be able to say exactly what was where and what you did or didn’t authorize. Future-you will thank present-you.
Paperwork and Compliance: Double-check lease addendums and disclosures (lead paint, flood zones, HOA requirements, whatever applies to your property). Dallas-area landlords have to keep these ducks in a row.
Schedule the Pros: Appliance servicing, HVAC checks, pest control — don’t wait until the week before move-in when everyone’s booked. A quick call to Appliance Rescue Service, for example, means your fridge, oven, and dishwasher are guaranteed to work on day one instead of making you look sloppy.
Think of this stage as your foundation. If you don’t handle the basics now, everything else is just window dressing.
Courtesy of Nicky
Two Weeks Before Move-In: Clean, Repair, Refresh
This is where the heavy lifting happens.
Deep Clean: And no, I don’t mean a quick mop. I mean baseboards, ceiling fans, blinds, inside cabinets, and every mysterious corner you’ve been ignoring. Hire it out if you have to. Nothing kills tenant goodwill like sticky counters and dusty vents.
Repair & Refresh: Patch nail holes, replace tired caulk, tighten loose doorknobs, fix squeaky hinges. If the carpet looks like it’s hosted a frat party, replace it. These little touches scream “we care” more than you realize.
Appliance Audit: Run every appliance. Does the dryer actually dry in one cycle? Does the fridge hold temp? Does the dishwasher drain properly? Catch problems now. Having ARS do a full sweep here is landlord insurance you can’t buy elsewhere.
This phase is all about turning a used house into a fresh home.
One Week Before Move-In: Safety and Systems
Now it’s time to switch from appearance to functionality.
Safety First: Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, replace batteries, and check fire extinguishers. Rekey the locks (yes, even if you “trust” the last tenants). Secure windows and make sure exterior lights work.
HVAC and Filters: Dallas summers aren’t forgiving. Change filters, service the system, and make sure it’s cooling like it should. A tenant without AC in July won’t just call — they’ll rage.
Utilities Check: Test outlets, breakers, and fixtures. Replace burnt-out bulbs. Label your breaker panel so tenants don’t blow up your phone when the microwave trips it.
If you skip this step, congratulations — you’ve just created your future midnight emergencies.
A Few Days Before Move-In: The Final Polish
This is when you fine-tune the details.
Courtesy of Rudy and Peter Skitterians
Pest Prevention: Even if you don’t see anything, call in pest control for a once-over. Nobody wants to meet a roach on day one.
Exterior & Curb Appeal: Mow the lawn, trim shrubs, clear gutters. A tidy exterior makes a huge difference in how tenants treat the property.
Extras That Impress: Swap air filters (again, if needed), replace every last burned-out bulb, and consider small touches — like leaving appliance manuals in a folder or a “welcome kit” with basics like toilet paper and light bulbs.
This is also the perfect time for your own landlord walkthrough. Run faucets, flush toilets, check water pressure, and sniff out weird smells. Walk in like a tenant seeing the place for the first time. If something bugs you, it’ll bug them.
Courtesy of Schluesseldienst.
Move-In Day: The Hand-Off
This is it — the big reveal.
Keys and Orientation: Hand off all keys, garage openers, mailbox info, and explain anything quirky about the property (like “the dryer needs an extra tap on the button” or “the garbage disposal switch hides under the sink”).
Walkthrough with Tenants: Do it together. Note any existing dings or wear so it’s not a fight later. Tenants appreciate transparency.
Set the Tone: Be available, but not hovering. A quick reminder that “Appliance Rescue Service is on call if you run into any appliance issues” shows you’re proactive, not reactive.
This timeline isn’t about being nitpicky. It’s about protecting your investment, respecting your tenants, and setting the stage for a smooth, profitable lease term. Because here’s the truth: good tenants stick around when they feel taken care of, and that starts before they ever move in.
At Appliance Rescue Service, we’ve seen what happens when landlords cut corners — and it isn’t pretty. A dead fridge on move-in day, a dryer that takes three hours to finish a cycle, an AC system choking on a dirty filter in August. These aren’t just inconveniences; they’re tenant deal-breakers.
So, if you’re serious about keeping your Dallas-area rental running smoothly, don’t just “get by” — get ahead. Use this timeline, book your service calls early, and let ARS help you keep your appliances (and your tenants) happy.
Call: (214) 599-0055