How to Make Your Rental Property More Accessible to More Tenants

To achieve decent returns on your rental property investment, you’ll need to fill the space with enough tenants. Empty units could indicate that the space isn’t suitable for a wider variety of people. The layout and structure of your property can limit certain types of tenants from renting. Did you install doorknobs that are easy for older adults to use? Is there a way to shower that is accessible for a person in a wheelchair? Can tenants who only speak Spanish read your leasing agreement? When you cater to more tenants, you’ll fill units more easily. What can you do to ensure your rental property is liveable and comfortable for more people?

Elevators and Ramps

Staircases alone are not suitable options for every person. Wheelchairs, canes, and crutches can’t safely traverse steps. Provide alternative methods for those who use mobility aids or have trouble with climbing. Ramps with guardrails are much easier for most tenants. Elevators can be more costly, but they are also a suitable solution for buildings with multiple floors. Ensure that the handrails on any staircases you keep are sufficient to prevent falls. They should be easy to grip and high enough for an average adult to reach.

Spacious Floor Plans

While you may be able to fit more rooms in a unit by making them smaller, you will compromise their accessibility for those who require wider spaces to navigate. Tenants in wheelchairs or using electric scooters will need sufficient space to navigate and turn around easily. There should never be tight hallways, cramped bedrooms, or walled-off parking spaces. Ensure that common spaces, particularly elevators, can accommodate wheelchairs and scooters of all sizes.

Accessible Bathrooms

Each unit should have an accessible bathroom for those with mobility limitations. Grab bars near the toilet and bathtub make bathrooms easier to use. Bathtubs shouldn’t be too high to step over, or you can install a walk-in bathtub with a door. While tenants can provide shower seats or benches, a pre-installed option may be excellent for more accessible units.

Level Flooring

If your investment property has foundation issues or poorly installed flooring, there may be uneven floors. Gaps, cracks, or slopes in the floor can make it difficult for older adults or those with mobility issues to navigate, increasing the risk of falls or other injuries. You may need to adjust or reinstall the flooring if there are significant gaps due to poor installation. Foundational issues will require more extensive work, unless you can opt for concrete lifting. Concrete lifting can also be beneficial for sidewalks and parking lot surfaces. It involves raising the concrete foundation instead of repaving it. Lifting can take significantly less time and money, especially when consulting with local contractors. Search terms can include “concrete lifting near me” or “local foundation repair.” Addressing foundational issues can help make your property more suitable for all tenants.

Tactile Signage and Appliances

Not all tenants can read signs well, and blind or low-vision tenants won’t be able to read them at all. Ensure that unit numbers, mailboxes, appliance buttons, and keys all have tactile options to help individuals with limited or no vision read signs and interact with the rental easily. Braille can also be used to translate signs for people who are blind.

Multilingual Signage and Documentation

Some prospective tenants may immigrate from other countries and won’t speak English as well. You can help them by hiring multilingual property managers, including multiple translations for your signs, and having lease agreements available in various languages. Including other languages in your property management can also reduce confusion between you and your tenants. You can hire a translator or use translator services whenever you need them. Official tenant communication or online rental portals should have multiple language options.

Window Treatments

The light from any windows on your rental property may make it difficult for individuals with visual impairments to see clearly. Include optional window treatments, such as blinds or shutters, to allow tenants to personalize the space and make it more comfortable and accommodating.

Sliding Scale Rent

Market prices are inaccessible to many tenants. As an investor, you want to make a profit, but you also don’t want to make it impossible for nearby populations to rent from you. If you’re not attracting enough tenants, consider offering a sliding scale rent price to help more tenants afford your property. Sliding scale means that rent prices will vary based on income. Some rental income is better than none.

Accessible Door and Cabinet Hardware

Doorknobs that you have to grip and turn are more difficult to use for older or disabled adults. You’ll want ADA-compliant doorknobs or door levers installed in the property’s doors instead. Cabinets should also have pulls that are easy to use with one hand; they should not require tight grasps or a twisting of the wrist to open.

Conclusion

If your rental property isn’t attracting enough tenants, consider catering to a wider range of people. Not everyone can use a standard bathroom or average doorknobs. You’ll want to make your space accessible for individuals with disabilities, those who speak different languages, or those with varying incomes. When you open up the space to meet the needs of more tenants, you’ll be able to cast a wider net of rental income. For the most accessible living space, you’ll want to adhere to all ADA compliance standards and advertise the rental as such, making it more viable to potential tenants.