How to Make Your Rental Stand Out in 2026

Tenants have more choices… here’s how to make them choose you.

As we move into December and prepare to close out 2025, this is the perfect moment for landlords to review their properties, update their strategy, and get ready for a more competitive year ahead. The Los Angeles rental market continues to shift, and renter expectations are rising meaning presentation, modernization, and smart management practices will be key to success in 2026.

At Strategic Growth Real Estate, we work closely with owners every day and see firsthand what tenants are prioritizing. The best part? Many impactful upgrades are simple, cost-effective, and easy to implement before the new year.

1. Small, Low-Cost Improvements That Make a Big Difference

A few strategic updates can significantly increase interest in your unit:

✓ Smart home basics

Smart locks, LED lighting, and programmable thermostats are no longer “nice-to-have” they’re expected by many LA renters who value convenience and security.

✓ Energy-efficiency & sustainability

With California’s environmental push, upgrades like efficient appliances, water-saving fixtures, insulation, and LED lighting help attract eco-conscious renters and reduce utility expenses.

2. Photography, Virtual Tours & Modern Marketing

Since most renters begin their search online, your unit needs to shine from the very first click.

Professional photography

Bright, high-quality images help convey maintenance, comfort, and value.

3D virtual tours

Virtual tours and 360° walkthroughs make your property accessible to busy renters and increase the number of qualified inquiries.

Social media video marketing

Short-form videos on Social media platforms and consistently outperform static images perfect for showcasing layouts and features.

Optimized Listing Descriptions (The Strategic Growth Way)

A well-written listing goes far beyond photos. At Strategic Growth, our descriptions are designed to answer the questions renters care about most. Every listing includes:

• Nearby freeways and major commuting routes

• Nearby neighborhoods to help renters understand the area

• Grocery stores, restaurants, and shopping centers within minutes

• Parks, gyms, and local attractions

• School districts, colleges, and universities around the property

• Public transportation access

• Walkability and lifestyle details 

This level of detail helps renters visualize their daily life in the unit, increases engagement, and builds trust before they even schedule a tour. Clear, relevant neighborhood information consistently generates more qualified inquiries and higher-quality applicants.

3. Smart, Strategic Upgrades (Without Overspending)

Not every improvement needs to be a full renovation. Focus on updates that truly elevate the tenant experience:

• Fresh paint and modern flooring

• Updated fixtures and hardware

• Enhanced exterior and hallway lighting

• A clean, functional kitchen and bathroom

• Well-maintained common areas

Renters choose units that feel updated, clean, and cared for.

4. New 2026 Requirements Every LA Landlord Should Know

As we prepare for 2026, Los Angeles is implementing updates that directly impact rental property standards.

✓ Mandatory Refrigerators & Stoves in All Rental Units

Starting in 2026, all rental units in Los Angeles must include a working refrigerator and stove as part of habitability requirements.This means:

• Units must be delivered fully functional

• Appliances must be maintained during the tenancy

This aligns LA with other major cities and increases tenant satisfaction, safety, and consistency.

5. The Rise of AI in Property Management and How We Use It

Technology is rapidly transforming the rental industry, and 2026 will accelerate this shift. At Strategic Growth, we’ve already integrated advanced AI tools into our operations to protect owners, streamline work, and enhance leasing results.

AI-Powered Applicant Screening

We use a platform with automatic screening capabilities that activate as soon as an application begins.

For income verification, our system uses AI to:

• Automatically verify pay stubs

• Detect if documents were generated from known online templates

• Identify alterations or digital manipulations

• Cross-check patterns for inconsistencies

This dramatically reduces the risk of fraud one of the largest rising issues in the LA rental market.

Machine Learning for Financial Accuracy

Tools like Smart Bill Entry use traditional machine learning to scan invoices, detect charges, categorize expenses, and reduce human error.

Generative AI for Faster Leasing & Communication

We leverage features like Realm-X Assistant, a generative AI tool that helps us:

• Respond faster to tenant and applicant questions

• Improve communication accuracy

• Analyze listing activity

• Optimize marketing performance in real time

The result? Faster leasing, fewer errors, stronger fraud prevention, and higher-quality tenants.

6. How Strategic Growth Helps Your Property Stand Out

This is where our expertise becomes your advantage.

What we provide:

• Customized upgrade strategies based on your building and neighborhood

• Full marketing packages including photography, video, virtual tours, and optimized listings

• AI-enhanced screening to protect your investment

• Professional maintenance and building-quality improvements

• Faster leasing and better tenant placement through smart systems and proactive communication

Our goal is simple: maximize your rental income while protecting the long-term value of your asset.

Final Thoughts

As 2025 comes to an end, now is the perfect time to refresh your strategy, elevate your property’s presentation, and prepare for a more competitive 2026.

With the right improvements combined with modern marketing, updated compliance, and powerful AI tools your rental can truly stand out.

If you’d like us to review your building and suggest upgrades before the new year, the Strategic Growth team is here to help.

Sources & Further Reading

• Coverage of California’s new appliance requirement (AB 628) explaining that rental units must include a working refrigerator and stove starting Jan. 1, 2026. Los Angeles Times+1

• Legal and compliance summaries about AB 628 and what landlords need to know (impacts, exceptions, repair/replace timing). Astanehe Law+1

• Practical summaries for owners about California’s appliance mandate and steps landlords should take. coastlineequity.net+1

• AppFolio: AI and Realm (product page describing AI-native solutions and Realm-X capabilities used in property management platforms). AppFolio+1

• Industry coverage of AppFolio’s AI additions and agentic AI capabilities in property management. PYMNTS.com.