Which renovations to a Los Angeles rental property will deliver the highest returns?
This is what investors want to be thinking about when they make upgrades and updates to properties during turnover periods. Cosmetic improvements look great and attract tenants, but the real value shows up when you’re able to increase your rental value by $100 or more.
We’re looking at those costs-effective renovations today. Avoid full rehabs, spend wisely, and enjoy the increased earnings that come with targeted efforts.
Our Summary:
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Offering In-Unit Laundry
If your property offers hookups for washers and dryers, do not hesitate to install them. Buying these appliances and giving tenants the opportunity to do laundry in the privacy of their own home will allow you to charge higher rents and enjoy frequent lease renewals. Laundry has always been a desirable amenity for tenants in Los Angeles, but since the pandemic it has become a necessity for many. Plenty of well-qualified residents won’t even consider a rental home that does not provide a washer and dryer. A laundry room in a multifamily building is fine, but in-unit appliances are better. This upgrade delivers the rent you want to earn.
Hard Surface Flooring in LA Rentals
Carpet collects and holds dust, dirt, allergens, and dander from pets. It’s difficult to keep clean and often needs to be replaced after just a few years. When you’re willing to upgrade your floors to a hard surface, you’re making tenants happier, you’re making your property easier to maintain, and you’re providing an excellent reason to increase rents.
A modern, clean, and well-maintained rental home with carpet throughout will earn at least $100 less than the same rental home with hard surface floors in the common areas. This upgrade attracts tenants who care about their indoor air quality, their own wellness, and the cleanliness and upkeep of their home. You don’t have to remodel with expensive bamboo or hardwood flooring. There are plenty of laminates out there that look fantastic and are reasonably priced. And you’ll quickly earn back what you spend on your flooring upgrade.
Energy-Efficiency and Higher Rents
Climate is on the mind of just about everyone living in Los Angeles. The terrible fires that swept through the city in early 2025 are still on the minds of residents here, as are the freakish floods, paralyzing droughts, and dramatic hot and cold stretches that have affected Southern California in recent years. Tenants want to rent homes that are gentle with the earth’s resources. You don’t have to be an environmentalist to understand the impact of energy and water usage. It’s good business to make your rental property more sustainable and efficient. It saves you money on operational costs. It attracts tenants who not only care about the planet but also their utility bill, and it allows you to increase your rent by $100 or more per month. Some of the best energy-efficient renovations include:
- Replacing lights. Just switching out your bulbs to efficient LED lights can save money and minimize replacement needs.
- Improving insulation. Keep the cool and warm air inside the home by replacing weatherstripping and updating doors and windows.
- Be intentional with appliance replacements. When the dishwasher is on the fritz or the refrigerator needs to be replaced, look for energy-efficient models that carry an ENERGY STAR rating. These use less water and power. Tenants will appreciate that they’re quieter, too.
- Smart thermostats can keep temperatures stable. With a smart thermostat, the home is heated or cooled depending on time of day and number of people who are home.
Earn more in rent and increase your property values with these energy-efficient upgrades.
Smart Home Technology and Los Angeles Rental Homes
For a while, there were just a few homes in the LA rental market that had things like video doorbells, smart locks, and voice-activated appliances and systems. Now, they’re in high demand. You can increase your rental value dramatically by providing or at least supporting smart home technology in your Los Angeles rental home.
We recommend a good internet connection at the very least. It’s typical that tenants will set up their own home internet accounts but providing them with good options is a great way to welcome them to their new home and allow for easy integration for their smart devices and those at home. Or offer internet as an included amenity for the first three months so that they can move in seamlessly and hookup right away to whatever technology you’re providing. We have found that tenants are especially interested in security systems, keyless entry, smart thermostats, smart lighting, and digital assistants like Alexa and Siri.
Pets are Profitable
Renovate your pet policy.
Pets aren’t upgrades but they are a quick way to increase your rent by $100, especially if you charge a pet fee. Allowing pets into your property increases earnings in several ways:
- It limits vacancy.
- It reduces turnover.
- It allows you to charge pet rent.
While there is legislation being debated that would limit what owners in California can charge in pet fees, right now, in 2026, landlords can add a pet fee that is separate from the rent. You can charge a pet deposit too, but that deposit has to be included in the security deposit. As professional Los Angeles property managers, we always recommend allowing pets so that you can earn more money and attract more tenants to your rental property.
Rent Stabilization and Compliance
We’re fully supportive of increasing rent when the market supports it and the property invites it. Owners also must be mindful of any rent control laws that may limit what they charge an existing tenant. When you’re listing an unoccupied property, you can set the rent wherever the data tells you to. But if you’re considering a renewal rate for a home that’s included in Los Angeles’s Rent Stabilization Ordinance or California’s Tenant Protection Act, it’s important to limit the increase to what is legally permitted.
We’d be happy to help you figure out which renovations will make the most sense for your specific property and how to earn $100 or more in rent through choosing the right updates. Contact our team at Earnest Homes for all your Los Angeles property management needs.
