Have you recently moved and wish to make money off of your old place? Or do you want to rent out your home when you are away? By listing your house under homes for rent by owner on real estate portals ,  you save money on broker commission but may have to be patient. Here are a few tips and guidelines for first-time landlords who opt for the DIY approach to renting out.

Give it time
First, understanding “for rent by owner” or FRBO is essential. If you have not come across this concept before, it implies that the property was put on the market with little to no help from a broker or leasing agent. Further, the rental process can be slow and unreliable, depending on the market. On the bright side, once the place has been rented, you can rely on regular cash flow.

Understand the implications
A lot of people look up “homes for rent by owners” online to directly engage with the owners themselves and not go through the brokers or agents to rent a place. So, when you make your listing under homes for rent by owner ,  you need to be proactive, responsive, and diligent. Being a landlord is more than enjoying a passive income and collecting rent payments. You have to pay taxes, maintain the property, and handle tenant-related issues to ensure everything runs smoothly for everyone. This is why you must treat your rental property as a business asset. It is important to keep it safe, provide all utilities, maintain adequate security measures, and ensure that it does not threaten people’s health or lives. Further, you should account for all uncertainties like maintenance issues and long periods of vacancy that can mean spending money out of your own pocket. 

Sort the paperwork

You need professionally drafted legal documents before listing your apartment or house as a home for rent by owner. In the country, the office-supply stores have pre-packaged leasing documents. You can buy them, but ensure that your chosen package adheres to the state guidelines. You can also hire the services of a real estate attorney to draft an eviction notice, rental application form, your lease, and a form that enables you or the tenant to request lease termination.

Pick an appealing property

If you want your home to attract the right kind of tenants, you must invest in making your property appealing or purchasing one that already is. This will ensure that the house can yield reliable cash flow every month. A good example of a property for rent by the owner will tick all of the following boxes:

The neighborhood is safe and desirable.

It offers basic amenities and perks to tenants like safety and security features, accessibility and proximity to public transportation, and a dedicated parking spot. 

It has a strong history of price appreciation. 

It has a positive rent-to-price ratio.

Know your rights and rental laws

You should be well-acquainted with tenant and landlord rights to guard yourself. You should be familiar with regulations and laws regarding tenant notice and security deposits. Further, gather details on the mandatory licenses and inspections that you require. Also, ensure that the lease is legal as these laws can vary by state. Even though you can do your research, hiring an attorney can help streamline the tasks.

Determine your rent collection method
For hassle-free payments, the digital mode would be the best option. It is convenient and quick. Refrain from taking cash or checks for rent. If the check bounces, you will have to bear a non-sufficient funds fee and request money from the tenant again. Accepting cash is dangerous because it is challenging to maintain a paper trail, and you do not know the source of cash.

Look for tenants online

Tenants tend to look for properties online. Some prefer renting homes by eliminating the middleman and saving money. So, consider posting your property under homes for rent by owner or properties for rent by owner categories on reliable platforms. You can also add your listing on websites like Trulia. Besides the rent amount, you can list the amenities, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, security deposit amount, attractions in the vicinity, and the address, among other details. In addition, you can upload pictures of every room and common space so potential tenants can visualize the place and have most, if not all, their questions answered. Your listing must highlight the best features.

Screen the tenants

A common mistake most first-time landlords make is not screening prospective tenants. Seemingly responsible and sensible people can also miss payments, trouble their neighbors, and disregard rules. So, conduct a thorough background check. You can also check their credit score for better clarity. Lastly, follow up on references provided by them. 

Homes for rent by owners can attract all kinds of potential tenants and queries. If you follow the tips to a T, you will feel better equipped to navigate this business.