Recently, I consulted with someone who decided to keep their home in Syracuse as a rental instead of selling it due to a job relocation to another state. It was an awkward time to sell, and there was a possibility of returning, so they chose to rent it out. Since they would be managing the property from afar, it's important to have a clear process in place from the start.

According to Zumper, the average rent in Syracuse as of June 2026 is $1,500, which is 6% lower than a year ago. A one-bedroom apartment averages $1,350, while a two-bedroom goes for around $1,500, which is 23% lower than the national average. The current market shows that Syracuse continues to have lower rental costs compared to other major cities in New York. If you're a landlord who has moved out of state, you should set your rental price based on local market rates, not the rental prices in your new area, as that could lead to prolonged vacancies.

Once you've set the rental price, it's time to advertise. Zillow and Apartments.com are the basics, and if you need to manage the property from a distance, consider hiring a local management company or asking a friend to help with showings and visits. It's much better to take photos of each room in an organized state before moving out than to rush and take them later.

When inquiries come in, you'll need to conduct screenings. Checking credit scores, proof of income, and previous rental history from past landlords are the three basics. Since it's difficult to meet and talk in person from afar, you should pay extra attention to the documents you can verify.

There are also things to check when showing the house. While showing to multiple applicants at once can save time, it's safer to have a friend accompany you or to inform family members of your schedule, as you'll be dealing with strangers. The current market shows an increasing trend of landlords managing properties remotely after moving out of state, so it's worth considering having a local management company or a friend handle the showings. If you need to visit after a tenant moves in, it's best to notify them in advance, and when managing from a distance, keeping a record of this communication via text or email can serve as documentation later.

The lease should include the rental price, payment dates, security deposit, lease term, repair responsibilities, and emergency contact information. If the landlord is far away, it's also good to provide the tenant with the contact information for repair services or property managers in advance.

Before finalizing the lease, there's one more thing to prepare. Take photos of the home's condition before the tenant moves in. This record will serve as evidence when deducting from the security deposit later. In areas like Syracuse, where many homes are older, some may have been built before 1978, which means you must provide tenants with lead paint disclosure documents if applicable. If you're managing remotely, it's also wise to check whether the landlord has insurance coverage, as the role of insurance becomes more significant when issues like fire or damage arise.

According to New York state regulations, the security deposit cannot exceed one month's rent and must be returned within 14 days after the tenant moves out, along with a breakdown of deductions. To evict a tenant for unpaid rent, you must issue a 5-day notice followed by a 14-day notice, and for lease violations, a 10-day notice to cure followed by a 30-day eviction notice. The final steps always go through the court. You cannot skip these procedures just because you are out of state; in fact, the further away you are, the more accurately you need to handle the paperwork and processes.

By organizing these steps, you can manage your Syracuse home as a rental without issues while relocating to another state. Even with the burden of remote management, if you follow the order from setting the rental price to finalizing the lease, you can operate similarly to landlords living locally. This article is intended to provide general information, and I recommend consulting a real estate professional or rental law attorney for actual contracts and detailed procedures.