Creating Outdoor Spaces Tenants Will Love

Outdoor spaces are already a benefit fort rental properties. Even a small backyard or balcony put your property ahead of the competition that doesn’t have a spot for tenants to get a little sunshine and fresh air. With 44.1 million American households being renters, there’s a lot of people whose attention you can catch with a few perks on your investment.

Your investment property’s outdoor spaces need to feel like an extension of the indoor living area. Outdoor upgrades are easier when you know what matters most to renters and can find smart, budget-friendly ways of ticking those boxes. Here are some of the areas we would focus on.

Adding a portable cabin to your rental’s outdoor areas

Transportable cabins are a cost-effective way to add extra living space to your rental. With the flexibility of design and placement, portable cabins can adapt to your outdoor design, giving tenants another place to host friends or family for the weekend without feeling cramped, store their extra stuff, or use as an outdoor office/studio.

There couldn’t be an easier way to add value, versatility, and charm to your property while improving the overall rental experience. Plus, it creates opportunities for you to market your property more effectively, appealing to those looking for unique living arrangements that accommodate leisure and productivity. Once you have a solid foundation for cabins and sheds, you can design something that will suit the size and look of your outdoor area.

Make your outdoor spaces truly accessible

The easier and safer an outdoor space is to use, the more likely tenants will use it! How do your current outdoor areas integrate with the rest of the property?

Outdoor zones should flow naturally from the primary living areas, like the kitchen or living room. Wide entry doors can make it easy for tenants to move in and out without hassle. Where possible, you should avoid unnecessary elevation changes as they can pose risks (consider adding handrails for those who may need extra support). 

The right lighting, like well-lit pathways, can help prevent accidents and make outdoor spaces more enjoyable during the evening. An overhead protective structure can also ensure that the outdoor area remains clean and usable despite the weather, allowing tenants to relax and entertain in every season.

Invest in sustainable upgrades for eco-conscious renters

Swap out your traditional outdoor light bulbs for energy-efficient LEDs and add solar panels and inverters in outdoor areas that get a lot of sun to lower your tenant’s electricity bills. When you try to attract tenants who appreciate the long-term savings and sustainable materials (like responsibly sourced wood for outdoor structures), you also reduce your property’s carbon footprint. Eco-friendly property practices are incredibly important for the health of our planet; it’s just a bonus that they can lead to higher tenant retention and an increased property value.

Keep the backyard low-maintenance 

Upgrading and adding cool things is great, but if you really want happy tenants, you need to avoid gardening hassles. Tenants are responsible for maintaining the garden’s condition, so it’s a good idea to design outdoor spaces that don’t require their weekend hours to be spent on upkeep. The easier the backyard is to care for, the more tenants will appreciate it—and the less chance you’ll have of it becoming neglected.

A great starting point is to choose drought-resistant plants, hardy shrubs, and perennials that require minimal watering. Native species have already adapted to the local climate and require far less attention. For hardscaping, stick with durable, low-maintenance materials like concrete (avoid pavers; they are a magnet for weeds). The goal is to create a backyard that looks great with as little upkeep as possible. Tenants want to relax, not weed and water the garden.

Think about families or pet owners

A child and pet-friendly outdoor area significantly enhances your property’s appeal. You want to be eligible for the broadest range of tenants possible, so your outdoor areas need to be secure with sturdy fencing to keep kids and pets safe. Open areas for play are a big plus, as tenants are looking for space in which kids and animals can run around and burn off some energy. 

It’s also important to think about comfort and safety. Plants should be non-toxic, and shaded areas are a must-have, especially in warmer climates. 

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