Renting out my former residence - Denver, NC 3bed, 2.5ba

[Lorien Rollins]

I am gearing up to rent out my 3 bedroom (with a loft), 2.5 bathroom home in Denver, NC for the first time. I'm debating offering a 12-24 month lease term.  The house is on a corner lot, built in Dec. 2020, 1/4 acre in a subdivision, right under 1983 SF. I installed a mini-split to the garage (standard two car).

Schools are: St. James Elementary / Westlake Preparatory Academy / Lake Norman Charter, East Lincoln Middle, East Lincoln High (great school district).

Do I leave it semi furnished; king size bed, night stands, washer and dryer, tv in the loft, twin size day bed in one bedroom. OR do I simply leave the kitchen appliances (fridge too), and the washer/dryer?

Do I include a utility addendum that outlines the charge for internet (paid to me by the renter) and keep the internet in my name? In the same respect, my water usage averages under $40 a month however, not knowing how many tenants may occupy the home, do I charge a flat rate of $100 and bill them any overages or 'eat the overage'?

TLDR: Should I rent out semi-furnished or empty? 12-24 month lease term? Utilities included or in tenant name? 

[Stephanie Walker]

I’m a property manager in the Charlotte area. 

I recommend completely unfurnished, though appliances are a huge plus, and have the new tenant move all utilities and internet under their own name.

Lease length is completely up to you. I like shorter terms because it allows us an “out” if the tenant is difficult to work with and it allows us to increase rent if needed.