Struggling with Rental Vacancy? 5 Tips to End Vacancy
Want actionable steps for finding a new renter and ending rental vacancy? These rental tips are great for landlords, property managers and investors who want to see their properties occupied. Join Kaycee Miller in this video as she dives into the topic.
Is your rental sitting empty longer than it should? In this video, Kaycee Miller from Rentec Direct shares five proven tips to help landlords and property managers reduce vacancy and attract qualified tenants, without lowering rent.
From move-in incentives to curb appeal upgrades, pet policies, and online presence strategies, these practical ideas can help you fill your vacancies faster and keep your income steady.
In this video you’ll find tips for ending rental vacancy and cover topics, like:
- Why rentals stay vacant
- The truth about pricing and incentives
- How to instantly boost curb appeal
- Why your online presence matters
- Rethinking your pet policy
- Building trust through reputation
Struggling with Rental Vacancy? These 5 Tips Works – Video Transcript
Have you ever struggled with vacancies in your rental housing? Maybe the time between a lease ending and the next lease starting is just going on too long. Remember, in rental housing, occupancy equals revenue! Especially when you have a great, rule-abiding tenant who’s paying their rent on time and following the rules.
When you’re dealing with a lease ending and trying to find that next tenant, a long turnover period can be a problem for any rental housing provider.
In my previous video (which I’ll link here), I talked about some of the reasons a property might not be renting. Today, I want to explore solutions—how you can make your property more attractive to qualified renters, fill vacancies faster, and increase your occupancy rates.
I’m Kaycee Miller. I work for Rentec Direct property management software. I’m also a landlord, a real estate investor, and a real estate developer. These are issues I’ve dealt with in my own rental housing, and I want to share what I’ve learned. These are also questions I get from people in our industry all the time: how can we find our next qualified tenant? How can we shorten these vacancy timelines?
We constantly hear that occupancy is high and the supply of rental housing is low. But sometimes, a property still sits vacant longer than you’d like. In my last video, I discussed some reasons this might be happening. For example:
- Your property may be overpriced for the market.
- The curb appeal might not be strong enough to make someone driving by say, “Oh, I want to live there. How cute is that place?”
- The landscaping might not look great, or the neighborhood might not feel appealing.
- There may not be enough information available to interested renters. For instance, a basic rental sign with just a phone number doesn’t offer much. Compare that to having a website or online presence where they can learn more about the property and about you as a manager.
Your web presence and social reputation also matter. Are there online reviews? Do people engage with your content? All of that reputation management can impact whether someone chooses to rent from you.
Then there’s the property’s interior and your policies, especially policies that might prevent a renter from applying, like restrictions on pets.
How to Attract More Qualified Rental Applicants
So, what can we do as landlords and property managers to make our rentals more attractive? Here are a few important strategies.
Start With Pricing
Pricing is one of the first things to evaluate. Is your rent at market rate? If so, is there a way to make the listing more appealing without dropping the price?
Some landlords consider reducing the rent altogether, but I recommend offering a move-in discount instead. A one-time discount, say, $500 off the first month’s rent, can be more effective than lowering the monthly rent. For example, if your monthly rent is $1,500, offering a $500 move-in discount means you only lose $500 over the course of the lease. If you drop rent by $100 per month instead, you lose $1,200 over a year. The one-time discount keeps your total lease income higher and may still attract a good tenant.
Of course, always screen tenants based on their ability to pay the full rent, not the discounted rate. You can also throw in other incentives, like free laundry service, upgraded amenities, or flexible move-in dates, especially in multifamily housing where you have options to work with.
Consider the Property’s Curb Appeal
Curb appeal plays a huge role. I remember an example where someone was interested in renting a duplex, but the unit next door had a political sign displayed prominently in the window. The prospective tenant didn’t feel comfortable and expressed concern to the property manager, who responded that it was inside the property and out of their control. Ultimately, both parties felt it wasn’t a good fit.
While something like that isn’t a cause for eviction, it’s a good reminder to think about what is within your control—like working with neighbors, participating in community cleanups, or maintaining low-maintenance landscaping that holds up in hot weather. These steps help keep the exterior of your property welcoming.
Enhance Your Web Presence
Can prospective tenants find enough information about you or your property to take the next step, whether that’s filling out an application or reaching out with questions?
If you’re only listed on platforms like Zillow or Apartments.com, make sure there’s a next step for potential renters. These days, having a simple website, even for one single-family rental, can make a huge difference. Property management platforms like Rentec Direct include a website for every client at no additional cost. You can share pictures, describe the neighborhood, and include your contact information. This small investment can build trust and credibility, and it gives your rental a professional edge.
Reputation Matters
It’s also worth thinking about your overall reputation. Do you have a social presence where people speak positively about you? Do you have strong relationships with your tenants?
If you receive a negative review, respond to it respectfully and try to resolve the issue. Positive relationships in your community can make all the difference. You never know when someone will refer a friend to your property because they had a good experience with you.
Review Your Lease Policies—Especially for Pets
One more thing to think about is your lease terms and policies. A common one is your pet policy. A lot of renters have pets. I’ll be honest, I’m not the biggest fan of pets in rentals, but we adjusted our leases because that’s the reality. Allowing pets increased our applicant pool and helped us fill vacancies faster.
If you choose to allow pets, be proactive. Set clear policies. Require renters insurance, collect a pet fee and an additional security deposit, and consider pet screening to ensure the animal is a good fit for your property.
Final Thoughts
These are just a few ways to make your property more exciting, inviting, and attractive to rental applicants. With the right strategies, you can lower your vacancy rate, increase your occupancy, and build strong landlord-tenant relationships for a positive rental experience all around.
I’m Kaycee Miller. I work for Rentec Direct property management software. You can find this and more information on the Rentec Direct blog. Come visit me there, and don’t forget to like and subscribe for more landlord tips, property management advice, and renter insights.
