Do you have empty apartments, homes or even commercial spaces that you just can’t find renters for? It’s important to fill vacant units quickly because the cost of an empty rental really adds up. For example, if the rent of your unit is $1000 per month, that means you’re losing $33.33 per day every day that unit remains unleased.

If you’re looking to fill vacant units quickly, keep reading for six tips that will help you find tenants faster.

How To Fill Vacant Units Quickly

1. Make sure the unit is up to date

If you have a unit that’s hard to lease, take an honest look around. Could it use a new coat of paint, some fresh carpet or some other cosmetic updates? Take a look at these five things renters hate and then figure out which changes you could make now that will help you rent your property more quickly, saving you money in the long run.

2. Don’t underestimate curb appeal

Your property should appeal to renters both inside and out, so it’s important that its curb appeal is at least on par with the competition. Make sure sidewalks are swept, pathways are lit and windows are clean. Dust away cobwebs often. No one wants to move into a property that’s so empty it looks haunted!

3. Go pet friendly

Did you know that nearly 70% of households own a pet? If you have multifamily properties that aren’t pet friendly, it might be worth reconsidering your pet policy. Allowing cats or dogs will open your listings up to a broader prospect pool. Just be sure to add language to your lease that protects you from any damage caused by a renter’s pet. You might also charge an extra deposit or monthly fee, depending on what is common in your area.

4. Update your online listings

Now that your vacant unit is sparkling inside and out – and you might have a new pet-friendly policy – it’s time to freshen up the look of your rental listings too. Take some photos of your property that show off how clean and move-in ready it is. Upload your photos and edit the language to talk about any improvements you’ve made. Use specific words like “fresh paint” and avoid sales speak like “cozy.”

If you’re a Yardi Breeze user, you can post your properties online for free on RentCafe.com, an internet listing service that’s used by thousands of renters each month. Updating your listings on RentCafe.com is simple. You can quickly take new property photos using your phone or tablet and upload them on the spot, without having to go back to your desk.

5. Reach out to your tenants

Referrals can be a quick and easy way to fill a vacancy. Let your tenants know that you have a space available by sending an email or a text. If they like renting from you, they will probably tell their friends. You might even want to offer a $50 gift card if one of their referrals signs a lease. (It’s still cheaper than letting the example unit we talked about above sit empty for even two days.)

6. Be available

A lead you miss isn’t a lead at all. If you don’t respond to a phone, email or text inquiry from a potential renter, they will move on to the next property that meets their criteria. Be alert and available to your prospects and tenants. If you’re an owner and you are too busy to stay on top of these communications, consider hiring a property manager or adopting a property management software platform that will help you get organized and make it easy to communicate.