20 items to help you list, screen, and fill your ADU with confidence.
Powered by the HomeLord System
Free strategy call →Document your ADU's full profile: bedrooms, bathrooms, square footage, finish quality, entrance, parking, heating/cooling setup, shared utilities, laundry, yard and storage access, amenities, and availability date.
Pull active comps on Zillow — include all home types, match beds and baths, and prioritize basement rentals. If basement comps are thin, condos and townhomes are the next-best benchmark.
Define your rental value proposition: why would a tenant choose your ADU over a comparable apartment? Identify two or three concrete advantages (price, privacy, parking, finishes, location).
Stress-test that value proposition against your strongest comp. If a renter compared the two side by side, would yours still win?
Double-check your pricing math using Rentometer before you publish the listing.
Establish tenant criteria up front: minimum income, credit score, background requirements, pet policy, deposits, and fees.
Don't base rent on your mortgage. Base it on what the market will pay.
Do the pre-listing inspection checklist, complete repairs, and deep clean your home.
Hire a professional photographer for photos and drone shots (typically $150–$250). Skipping this for DIY photos consistently leads to weaker traction.
Publish your listing on Zillow, Facebook Marketplace, and other local listing sites.
Choose a property management software to track applications, payments, and maintenance from day one.
Write a detailed, specific listing description — the more clearly you describe the space, the fewer unqualified inquiries you'll field.
Set tour availability and schedule at least one open house.
Decide in advance how much you'll lower the price each week if tours and applications stay slow.
Don't offer a lease to anyone you haven't met in person at a tour (rare, well-justified exceptions only).
Compare every applicant against your written tenant criteria — consistently, not case by case.
Charge a double deposit if you select a tenant that doesn't meet your criteria.
Remind yourself this is a business, not a charity case.
Tenant placement will make or break your landlord experience — slow down on screening even when you're eager to fill the unit.
Use a legally compliant lease written for your state.
Once the lease is signed by all parties, collect the required move-in fees (amount and structure vary by landlord preference).
Prepare for move-in day using a pre-move-in checklist.
A home listed at $X doesn't necessarily rent for $X. Validate with comps and Rentometer before you commit to a number.
If you get stuck anywhere in this process, that's exactly what HomeLord's landlord coaching program is for.
If you haven't found your house hack yet, that's where I come in. I help Utah buyers find, buy, and manage a house hack, all backed by the HomeLord System.