Landlords do many things when they’re getting a place ready to show. And this doesn’t simply involve sweeping & spraying some air freshener. We spoke to some landlords, and they told us all about the things they pull out that might make the place look less inviting. Which one of these do you think is worthwhile removing?
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Under-sink glue boards and gel bait stations
Most people don’t bother looking under the sink before a showing. But for those that do, they notice that landlords usually pull out those sticky glue boards or little dots of gel bait. They don’t want you seeing evidence of pest control. Usually, they’ll scrape them up & throw them out until after the tour.
Buckets and drip pans under sinks or radiators
Speaking of sinks, units with older plumbing usually have a bucket tucked under a pipe, just in case. The same goes for pans under any radiators that spit water. However, these don’t exactly suggest that someone should move in, so landlords dump them out. They’ll hide them before showing the place. Afterwards? It goes right back under the sink.
Portable dehumidifiers and DampRid tubs
Apartments with a lot of moisture usually require the inhabitants to use portable dehumidifiers. They might also use those white DampRid tubs filled with crystals. But the landlords take these away before people visit, as nobody wants to see these loud machines running in the corner. They’re a sure sign the apartment isn’t up to scratch.
Plastic window shrink film and foam weatherstripping
It’s normal for tenants or landlords to put up shrink-wrap plastic on windows during winter. Even though it makes sense, it’s not a great look for a showing. That’s why the landlords slice the plastic off & peel it away. They’ll also yank the foam strips. Suddenly, the windows look a lot cleaner because, drafts or not, it’s presentation time.
Weighted door draft stoppers and screw-on sweeps
Some people put down long fabric snakes to block drafts in winter, or they’ll screw rubber sweeps into doors. Landlords pull these out. Can you blame them? Leaving them in would make the place seem drafty, and besides, it’s relatively easy to get rid of the fabric ones. Just toss them aside.
Black rodent bait boxes and visible steel wool
Signs of rodent treatment are hardly a welcoming sign for any potential tenants. That’s why landlords pull out those little black plastic bait boxes from the corners, or take away the wads of steel wool shoved around pipes. They’ll usually trim it back & smear caulk over it.
Pest control powder lines
Any chalky white dust you see along a wall is usually pest powder. Landlords sprinkle it in closets or near baseboards, but then they’ll vacuum it before the tour. Nobody wants to open a closet & see this powder on the floor. The funny thing is, the treatment still works after they clean up the mess. Who would’ve thought?
Stacks of used HVAC filters and packaging
You’ll sometimes find stacks of old dusty filters behind an air vent or in a utility closet. That’s not something landlords want anyone noticing. As such, they’ll cart out the used ones before a showing & slide new ones into place. They don’t forget about throwing the cardboard from the packaging either.
Plug-in space heaters brought in during cold snaps
When the central heating isn’t enough, landlords will put in portable space heaters during turnover. But they unplug them before tours & set them aside. Why? Because they don’t want any signs that the apartment could get too cold. They’ll also pull out any extension cords that might’ve been strung across the floor. Nobody wants a tripping hazard.
Stained drop-ceiling tiles in utility nooks
Water-stained ceiling tiles aren’t uncommon in older buildings. However, landlords swap out the ones with brown rings or sagging edges before a showing. Maintenance simply pops them out & drops in a fresh white tile before bagging the old ones. They have to do it right away so they don’t crumble everywhere.
Temporary caulk patches around tubs
Most quick fixes in bathrooms leave sloppy beads of caulk that look half-done. That’s not great. So instead of leaving it, landlords scrape it off & redo the seam with a cleaner line. They’re not necessarily trying to finish the repair right then. They’re simply trying to make the tub edges look smooth enough that nobody asks questions.
Water-damaged records from utility closets
When maintenance tracks leaks, they sometimes clip notes or date cards inside the utility closet. But you’ll never see them during showings. That’s because the landlords pull them down & give the door a wipe. It makes it seem like the space has never had a problem, while the paperwork ends up back in the office file drawer.
Mold testing kits or air sample pumps
Mold inspections are important. But they’re not what you want to see during a viewing. As a result, landlords box them up & take them out before anyone arrives. You’d only ever see an empty corner if you peeked in later. That’s true even when the place has been tested earlier that same week.
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