Long-Term Property Standards for Hawaii Rentals
A checklist to prepare your home for the Hawaii rental market.
At Coldwell Banker Property Management, we are committed to providing safe, clean, and properly maintained homes to our tenants.
In order to comply with the Warranty of Habitability in Hawaii, (a landlord’s obligation for providing a habitable living space, primarily governed by HRS §521- 42, commonly known as the “implied warranty of habitability,”) Hawaii judicial law, and Coldwell Banker Property Management standards, the below items must be completed by the homeowner before we will advertise and rent a property.
Hawaii Long-Term Property Rental Checklist
- Property must be professionally cleaned and free of trash and debris, inside and outside.
- HVAC system to be in good operating condition, with a new filter installed.
- All mechanical elements, including appliances, operating as designed.
- Caulking in the kitchen and bathrooms shall be clean and free of mold/mildew.
- Doors and locks all function properly.
- Windows must open, close, and lock properly and window screens be in good condition.
Full Rent-Ready Requirements
In order to comply with both internal and state rental housing requirements, including the Hawaii Warranty of Habitability Requirements, every property must meet the below list in order to be fully advertised and be “rent-ready.”
Requirements:
- Professionally cleaned to “Hotel Room Clean”
- Carpet professionally cleaned and looking fresh
- All painted surfaces fresh with no mismatch touch-up areas and repainting must be done corner to corner.
- All bedroom windows must have vertical or mini-blinds
- No personal property or items in the unit. This includes furniture, knickknacks, toiletries, kitchen or bathroom items, soap dispensers, pictures, etc.
- No lawn equipment including mowers, tools, etc.
- Garage floor swept
- No exterior debris
- Lawn cut and trimmed
- Landscaping fresh and clean
- Carbon monoxide detectors installed within 15 feet of each bedroom. ONLY wall mounted, NO plug-in units.
- Smoke detector on each floor
- Smoke detector in each bedroom
- Back sliding door must have vertical blinds
- All light bulbs working
- Doors open & close smoothly and doorstops installed on all doors
- Bathroom caulking must be fresh and free of any mold/mildew
- All mechanical components working as designed. Includes HVAC, plumbing and electrical systems, kitchen appliances, laundry appliances, water softeners, sprinkler systems, fans, water filtration systems, etc.
- Stairs and safety railings secure
This list is not meant to cover each and every make-ready required item, but it does list some of the most important and often overlooked.
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Meet Lori Dunaway
Reliable and professional long-term rental property management is an important aspect of owning and maintaining rental properties. It is of utmost importance that your property is well-maintained, income and occupancy are maximized, that your tenants are well screened, and that landlord / tenant rules and regulations are strictly adhered to.
A long-term rental property can be a very lucrative investment. It’s a good way to make passive income but being a landlord can sometimes seem like a full-time job. There are several factors to consider at all times to ensure you have your tenants’ best interests at heart. Responsibilities such as maintenance and repairs can be costly, so you also need to maximize return on investment and keep an eye on your finances. For this reason, many landlords work with local property management companies in Kona, Waikoloa, Waimea and Honokaa who provide assistance in a number of areas. If you’re managing your own rental property, here are a few quick tips. Understand Local Laws It’s essential to have a good understanding of Hawaii state laws to ensure you are protected at all times. Each state has different property laws. These may, therefore, vary relating to rental agreements, property maintenance, land ownership, building regulations, and so on. It’s a good idea to get clued up on these laws before embarking on a new business venture. Monitor Your Finances If you’re renting a property, there will be plenty of expenses that will need to be balanced against your rent profits. It’s important to learn how to effectively manage your cash flow for this reason. You could consider hiring an accountant to help you monitor your finances. If you decide to DIY your own finances, you need to make a realistic budget and stick to it. It’s advisable to create a specific account for emergency funds to spend on the property. Prepare for Re-leasing in Advance Often turnover is not as quick as you might hope so it’s a good idea to prepare for the end-of-lease and re-leasing in advance. This will ensure a more constant cash flow coming in from your rental property. If your tenants’ contract is ending, start the re-leasing well in advance to give yourself time to find someone else. You should also be prepared to evict tenants. In the case that you encounter problems with your tenants, you need an eviction plan in place in accordance with the local legislation and your insurance policy. Remember you must reside on the Big Island of Hawaii to manage your own property. You may use an on-island associate to manage on your behalf, but our best advice is to hire a professional rental company familiar with the island, local laws and codes. As you can see, managing a rental property is not without its challenges. This is why many landlords outsource these services to professional residential property management companies. You can rest assured your property will be in the hands of the experts.
