Becoming a landlord doesn’t have to be complicated. With the right tools and mindset, your first 90 days on Furnished Finder can be smooth, rewarding, and even enjoyable. This guide walks you through exactly what to expect—so you feel confident every step of the way.
Whether you’re listing a space for travel nurses, corporate professionals, or digital nomads, here’s how to launch your monthly rental the right way.
📌 Visual Learner?
See the full First 90 Days Infographic (opens in new tab) for a quick visual guide.
Step 1: List & Launch
Start strong with a listing that works for you. The quality of your listing directly impacts how many leads you receive, so take the time to set up every detail with care.
Photos: Use natural light, clean spaces, and multiple angles to showcase the kitchen, bathroom, living area, and sleeping quarters. A photo-first approach builds trust fast.
Headline & Description: Clearly state what makes your place special—proximity to hospitals, flexible lease terms, pet-friendliness, or all-inclusive pricing.
Calendar: Keep your availability updated. Marking dates as available when they aren’t can cause frustration and missed opportunities.
Pricing: Start with competitive rates based on your area, but adjust based on demand and seasonality. Offering discounts for longer stays (e.g., 90 days+) can help attract more serious leads.
👉 Pro Tip: Listings that are fully completed—photos, pricing, and descriptions—tend to rank higher and appear more often in traveler searches.
Step 2: You’ve Got a Match!
When a lead comes in, your response time matters. Renters are often on tight schedules and will choose landlords who respond quickly and clearly.
Understand lead types: Furnished Finder offers several types of leads: direct messages from tenants, those who’ve viewed your contact details, and travelers who fit your area and listing preferences.
Be proactive: Reach out promptly, introduce yourself warmly, and ask screening questions like:
What dates are you looking to rent?
Will anyone be traveling with you?
Do you have any specific needs or preferences?
Avoid copy-paste responses. Personalized replies build more trust and increase the likelihood of a booking.
👉 Pro Tip: Keep notifications on for new leads—fast responses often lead to the best bookings.
Step 3: Screen & Confirm
Tenant screening is essential for peace of mind. You want to be welcoming—but also thorough. Furnished Finder’s tenant screening tool, KeyCheck, makes it easy to run background checks, ID verifications, and even collect security deposits.
Start with a conversation: A short call or video chat helps confirm legitimacy and build rapport.
Review documents: Look for stable employment or contract assignments and cross-check references.
Run a background check: Use our simple tenant screening via TransUnion to check a potential tenant's criminal background, eviction history and credit history. It will help confirm their identity and any past rental red flags, which is especially useful for longer stays.
👉 Pro Tip: Let prospective tenants know you’ll be using screening tools—it sets clear expectations and shows you take your property seriously.
Step 4: Lock It In With a Lease
When it’s a good fit, get the lease signed. A clear lease protects both you and your tenant and ensures everyone’s on the same page.
What to include: Monthly rent, security deposit amount, payment method, house rules (e.g., smoking, pets), notice period, and cleaning expectations.
Use a monthly rental template: Monthly leases are different from short stays. Keep it simple, but make sure all important terms are covered.
E-signing is your friend: Use tools that allow you and your tenant to review and sign documents online. It’s faster, safer, and creates a paper trail.
👉 Pro Tip: Consider asking for first month’s rent and deposit upfront before confirming move-in.
Step 5: Prep for Move-In
Create a great first impression. Your space should feel clean, comfortable, and ready for someone to call home.
Check the basics: Reliable Wi-Fi, functioning appliances, clean bedding, working smoke detectors, and stocked essentials (toilet paper, dish soap, etc.).
Add thoughtful touches: A welcome note, coffee supplies, or even local recommendations show you care.
Use a checklist: Go room by room to confirm that everything’s in place, including kitchen tools, linens, towels, and cleaning supplies.
👉 Pro Tip: Think of what you’d appreciate in a 90-day home-away-from-home—then provide that.
Step 6: Learn, Adjust, Repeat
You’ve completed your first booking—congratulations! Now it’s time to reflect, adjust, and keep growing.
Ask for feedback: A quick message after move-in and again after move-out can surface valuable insights.
Update your listing: If a guest asked for something you didn’t have—like blackout curtains or more utensils—consider adding it to improve future bookings.
Build your calendar: Stay visible by keeping your calendar current and responding to new leads quickly. Repeat guests and referrals often follow positive first stays.
👉 Pro Tip: Landlords who evolve with their guests’ needs tend to see higher occupancy and better reviews over time.
Your first 90 days as a Furnished Finder landlord are about learning, refining, and building confidence. Start with clear systems, stay open to feedback, and trust that with every new booking, you're becoming more empowered and successful.
We’re here to support you—every step of the way. List your property on Furnished Finder today (opens in new tab) and save $10 annually with promo code FFNEW10, exclusively for first-time Furnished Finder landlords.