Move-In Ready: 5 Things Every Rental Should Have Before Listing

A clean, well-prepared home rents faster and keeps tenants longer. 

Here's what to tackle before your next listing goes live. 

Freshly Mulched Yard in Pensacola Rental Home

The Big Five

1. Safety & Compliance Essentials — Meet Florida basics (smoke/CO alarms where required, GFCI/AFCI, pool/yard safety) and rekey exterior locks.
2. Deep Cleaning & Minor Repairs — Professional, scent-neutral clean; touch-up paint; fix drips and squeaks; every bulb working, same color temp.
3. Systems & Appliances That Just Work — Serviced HVAC (fresh MERV 8–11 filter), water heater set, leak-free plumbing, verified electrical, clean dryer vent.
4. Landscaping & Curb Appeal — Neat lawn, edged beds, fresh mulch, pressure-washed surfaces, clear house numbers, working exterior lights.
5. Pet-Ready Policies & Surfaces — Durable flooring, fence checks, odor remediation, and a fair, compliant pet/assistance-animal policy.

Why "Move-In Ready" Matters

• Faster lease-up and fewer headaches. Clear photos of a spotless, feature-complete home drive more listing engagement, which correlates with faster tenant placement; Zillow reports that amenity-rich, well-presented listings get substantially more saves and shares—often the difference between week-one showings and stale inventory. 
• Fewer day-1 work orders and lower operating costs. Swapping a clogged HVAC filter can cut A/C energy use by 5%–15%—and in our Gulf climate, that's meaningful for both comfort and utility bills. Proactive maintenance also reduces avoidable service calls in the first 30 days. 
• Better compliance, fewer disputes. Florida Statutes require landlords to maintain fit, code-compliant premises; failure to do so can trigger rent reductions or other tenant remedies. Getting "move-in ready" protects you against deposit disputes and habitability claims. 

Neutral Walls and Clean LVP Flooring

Must-Haves for Every Room

Entry

• Rekey all exterior locks; verify deadbolts latch smoothly.
• Working door viewer and self-closing hinges where needed.
• House numbers visible from the street; porch light works (dusk-to-dawn ideal).
• Weatherstripping intact; no daylight gaps.

Living Areas

• Touch-up paint (neutral, eggshell/satin); no scuffs.
• All bulbs working; 3000–3500K throughout for consistency.
• Test outlets/switches; replace cracked plates.
• Smoke alarms tested per code/NFPA guidance.

Kitchen

• Water heater set ~120°F (use mixing valves if running hotter for Legionella control).
• GFCI protection at counters; no tripped breakers.
• The fridge seals tight, temps hold, and the range and dishwasher run without leaks.
• Caulk/clean backsplash and sink rim. 

Bathrooms

• Install/verify GFCI; fan vents to exterior.
• Caulk tub/shower; grout sealed; no active leaks.
• Set dehumidifier target or ensure fan runtime to keep RH <60%. 

Bedrooms

• Working smoke alarms (inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas).
• CO alarms where required (fuel appliance, fireplace, or attached garage; see statute).
• Windows open/lock; screens intact; blinds with child-safe, cordless controls. 

Laundry/Utility

• Dryer vent cleared to exterior; no foil "accordion" kinks.
• Label HVAC filter size; replace with MERV 8–11; thermostat verified.
• Water pressure reasonable; static pressure ≤80 psi per Florida code.

Exterior/Porch

• Pressure-wash drive/walks/siding; clean gutters.
• Prune shrubs off walls and the A/C condenser; check rust/corrosion (salt air).
• Storm shutters (if present) operable; loose soffit/fascia secured. 

Garage/Storage

• CO alarm required if attached garage and home constructed/added after 7/1/2008.
• Trip hazards removed; handrails tight; door sensors aligned. 

Room-by-Room Minimums

Pensacola-specific notes: Keep indoor RH below 60% (ideally 30–50%). Coastal salt air speeds metal corrosion—inspect hardware, A/C fins, and door sets and use stainless/protective coatings. Before storm season, clear limbs from rooflines, verify gutters/downspouts, and confirm shutter hardware. Landscaping & Curb Appeal

• Mow/edge; de-weed beds; add 2–3 inches of fresh mulch.
• Prune shrubs/low limbs away from siding and A/C condenser.
• Pressure-wash drive, walkway, and entry; clean gutters and downspouts.
• Confirm exterior lighting works; install dusk-to-dawn at entry.
• Make house numbers bold and contrasting; refresh front door paint/handle.
• Mailbox tidy and upright.
• Seasonal Pensacola notes: During hurricane season, remove wind-borne debris, trim limbs clear of roof, and stage shutters/hardware where applicable. 

Replacing Air Filters Monthly

Pet Considerations

Policy options:

• Pet-friendly with fees/deposits;
• Case-by-case (age/size/behavior screening);
• No-pet.
•  Remember: assistance animals are not pets. Fees or pet rent generally cannot be charged for disability-related assistance animals, though you may charge for actual damage. Avoid blanket breed bans; assess behavior and safety case-by-case consistent with HUD guidance. 

Surfaces & prep:

• Choose scratch-resistant LVP or tile; semi-gloss on high-traffic walls.
• Fence gaps <4"; self-closing, self-latching gate.
• Consider pet doors only with written approval and weather sealing.
• Odor remediation (enzyme treatment + primer) after prior pets.

Document condition (pre-move-in):

• Time-stamped photos/video (interior + yard).
• Notate fence panels, gates, sod/bare spots, and any pet-sensitive surfaces.
• Sign a pet addendum covering fees, sanitation, and carpet/odor standards.

How Hometown Streamlines This for You

As a local Pensacola partner, Hometown helps you go live with confidence:

1. Pre-listing inspection using a 60-point move-in ready checklist.
2. Licensed vendors on speed dial for same-week punch-lists (HVAC, plumbing, electrical, lawn).
3. Hurricane-season readiness checks (gutters, limbs, shutters, documentation).
4. Compliance guidance on Florida Ch. 83, smoke/CO, pool safety, and child-safe blinds.
5. Utility-on coordination for showings and appliance testing.
6. Photo-staging basics (neutral palette, consistent lighting).
7. Rapid turn reporting with before/after photos for your records.

Grab a Free Rental Readiness Consult — call (850) 912-9488 or email leasing@hometownpropertiesgc.com.

Downloadable Checklist

FAQs

Do I need CO detectors if I have only electric appliances?

 Florida requires CO alarms in new buildings/additions with a CO source (fuel-burning appliance, fireplace, or attached garage). All-electric with no attached garage typically isn't required, but CO alarms are still a smart safety layer. 

How often should I change HVAC filters in humid coastal climates?

 Check monthly and replace every 1–2 months during heavy use; sooner with pets or dust. Clean filters also cut energy use. 

What's "normal wear and tear" in Florida?

 Florida law allows deductions only for damage beyond ordinary wear and tear. It isn't defined in detail, so document condition with a move-in checklist and photos to avoid disputes. 

What hurricane prep should I do before a tenant moves in?

 Trim trees, clear gutters, secure loose items, stage storm shutters/hardware, and confirm exterior lighting and house numbers for emergency visibility. 

Where should smoke alarms be installed?

 NFPA guidance: in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on every level—then follow local code for device type/interconnection. 

This article offers general information for Pensacola/Escambia County rentals and is not legal advice. Always verify local code requirements.