Skip to Content

Should You Add (or Remove) a Storage Shed from Your Braintree Rental Property?

A Small Storage Shed in the Backyard

A storage shed can be a nice add-on feature to a Braintree single-family rental property. However, a storage shed can also be a potential liability. This can make it a real challenge to know whether adding or removing a storage shed from your rental property is the right thing to do. Learning all you can about the pros and cons of storage sheds and if they should be removed can make that decision easier.

What Value Does a Shed Offer?

Whether your property already has a storage shed or you’re thinking of adding one, here are several things you should keep in mind. According to appraisal experts, sheds do not add very much to a property’s value. The benefits of having a shed come from somewhere else. This is especially important to understand if you are thinking about building or installing a shed on a rental property that doesn’t already have one. Although a basic shed can be relatively affordable, there is an investment cost to consider.

Additionally, there are other pros and cons that you should think about before making your decision.

Pros: Attract New Tenants

The money you spend on a shed will probably not translate into a higher resale value but may help make your property more attractive to long-term renters. This is notably true if your rental home doesn’t have large closets, storage areas, or a garage. In such cases, a shed may help you entice and retain tenants who are delighted to pay a little extra for the convenience of having on-site storage space.

One more potential good thing about having a shed on your property is the opportunity for your tenant to take advantage of it as additional space. The trends of a “she-shed” or “man-cave” have been prevalent for a while and don’t seem to be going anywhere anytime soon. There are several choices for using a small space separate from the home, such as hobbies that aren’t suitable for indoors. If your tenants enjoy woodworking or other messy projects, this may be a cost-effective way to attract new, higher-paying tenants to your rental.

Cons: Potential Headaches

Not surprisingly, a storage shed may not appeal to all tenants in all markets. This makes understanding your local market and your target renter so important. For instance, an ever-increasing number of renters, even those who want single-family rental homes, are both minimizing their possessions or hiring service companies to help them take care of their homes. In either case, the tenant has fewer personal possessions and will not want to pay more for a rental home with a shed.

From a Braintree property manager’s perspective, having a shed on the property might also bring a few unwelcome problems. A storage shed will require maintenance, adding to the time and expense of property upkeep. Additionally, tenants may overfill or exploit the shed, leading to structural damage or even insect or rodent trouble. If this happens, your property values could suffer as a result. Because of this, some property owners may find removing an existing shed, even one in good condition, to be the best option.

So…Keep or Build a Shed – Or Not?

Keeping or removing a shed is not a decision to make lightly. But if your property already has a storage shed, you will need to address whether or not to remove it at some point. Over time, all structures deteriorate. Once a shed has outlived its useful life, it may become both an eyesore and a liability concern. Sagging roofs, warped doors, insect damage, and rust can all turn a shed into a safety hazard for you and your tenants. If any or all of these circumstances have advanced, neglecting to remove the shed could result in a lawsuit should someone get hurt. If you do decide to remove the shed, it is important to adhere to proper safety procedures or hire a reputable contractor to do it for you.

Deciding to add or remove a shed requires careful research and planning. But such steps are necessary to ensure that you have made the right decision for you, your tenants, and your investing future.

 

Real Property Management Associates is here to help investors with tricky questions like what to do with a shed on your investment property. We can advise you on everything from maintenance to tenant relations. To learn more about what we can do for you and your investments, call us at 508-509-4485 or contact us online.

If you’d like to continue researching maintenance and repair tips for your rental property, check out these blogs:

Originally published on December 27, 2019

 

We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the Nation. See Equal Housing Opportunity Statement for more information.

The Neighborly Done Right Promise

The Neighborly Done Right Promise ® delivered by Real Property Management, a proud Neighborly company

When it comes to finding the right property manager for your investment property, you want to know that they stand behind their work and get the job done right – the first time. At Real Property Management we have the expertise, technology, and systems to manage your property the right way. We work hard to optimize your return on investment while preserving your asset and giving you peace of mind. Our highly trained and skilled team works hard so you can be sure your property's management will be Done Right.

Canada excluded. Services performed by independently owned and operated franchises.

See Full Details