What items can increase the rent value of a property?

Is It a Shiny Apple, or Worth More?

Understanding What Really Increases Rental Value

When evaluating a rental property, it’s easy to get distracted by the “shiny apples”—the cosmetic upgrades that make a home look great in photos but don’t actually translate into higher rent. At the same time, there are practical features that may seem simple but make a meaningful difference to both rental value and tenant demand.

At A.G. Secure Property Management, we want landlords to understand where their investment dollars truly pay off. So let’s take a realistic look at what matters most.

Starting with the Basics

We all know that location and overall condition are major drivers of rental price. For the sake of comparison, let’s imagine two properties:

• Side-by-side
• Same neighbourhood
• Similar condition
• Located in an area with strong schools, easy access to major commuting routes, and access to public transit

In our local market, a 3-bedroom, 1-bathroom townhome typically rents for about $2,000 + utilities. From there, certain features can increase that monthly amount significantly.

What Features Have the Greatest Impact on Rent?

These upgrades add real, measurable value and often expand the pool of interested tenants:

• Main-floor powder room — approx. +$50/month

• Highly convenient and a major draw for families and shared households.

• Central Air Conditioning — approx. +$50/month

• Increasingly expected. Without it, many applicants will simply walk away during warmer months.

• Garage — +$50 to $150/month

• Value increases if it has interior access and is 1.5 to 2 cars wide.

• Double-wide driveway — approx. +$50/month

• Even without a garage, parking flexibility is a significant benefit.

• Ensuite bathroom / additional full bath — approx. +$100/month

• More bathrooms = more comfort and higher rent. En-suites normally come with walk-in closets, which is another bonus.

• Fenced yard — approx. +$50/month

• Great for families and pet owners. Without a fence, many dog owners won’t apply.

• Fresh professional paint — approx. +$100/month

• Creates a clean, bright, odour-free space, and helps the unit show at its best.

• Accessibility features — variable bonus

• Our aging population needs accessible homes, yet few rentals offer them. These features can command higher rent and reduce vacancy.



Features That Help the Unit Show Better (But Don’t Usually Raise Rent on Their Own)

While these improvements make a home more appealing and can shorten vacancy time, they typically don’t increase rental value individually:

• Dishwasher
• Backsplash or under-cabinet lighting
• Stone countertops
• Upgraded light fixtures or ceiling fans
• Hard-surface flooring instead of carpet (vinyl plank, laminate, etc.)
• Matching appliances
• Soaker tub

A property with several of these upgrades may justify a modest increase, but each one alone won’t significantly move the rent.

Before You Invest, Talk to Us First

Whether you're preparing an existing rental or considering purchasing one, the team at A.G. Secure Property Management is here to help. We can walk you through:

• Which features deliver the best return
• Which upgrades are worth skipping
• What tenants in our market value most
• How to maximize your rental income efficiently

And the best part? We don’t sell real estate. That means our guidance is unbiased—we’re focused solely on helping you make the best investment decisions for your long-term success.

If you’re planning changes or evaluating a purchase, reach out before you spend. We’re always happy to help you get the results you’re aiming for.