A good letting agent will make sure your property generates plenty of interest. However, as a landlord, it’s up to you to ensure that your property is primed and ready to appeal to tenants.
The good news is, it’s relatively easy to get your house looking great, if you know the right steps to take. Here’s a quick guide, detailing how you can make your property as appealing as possible.
Making Your Property Attractive to Tenants
- Make a good first impression. The average tenant will make a decision about your property within 30 seconds of viewing it for the first time. As such, your property needs to have as much kerb appeal as possible. If you’ve got a front garden, make sure the lawn is mowed and all weeds removed. Clean or paint the front door, re-paint / re-treat the window ledges if they’re peeling or blistered, and clean the windows. It’s amazing what a bit of TLC can do.
- Create a sense of light. Airy, light-filled homes are more welcoming than dark, dingy ones. A cleverly positioned mirror in a narrow hallway will make the light bounce around the space, and light-coloured curtains block out less sunshine than heavy drapes. If you’re letting your property part- or fully furnished, choose furniture that isn’t too dark or bulky; these can make a room feel less bright.
- Address any major problems. If you’ve got leaking pipes or a problem with damp, don’t try to conceal it from tenants – they’ll notice it sooner or later! It’s a much better idea to address the issues before you carry out any viewings.
- Make life more comfortable. Tenants appreciate properties that come with mod cons; good quality appliances, digital TV (or even satellite, depending on who you’re trying to appeal to) and broadband.
- Incorporate some storage solutions. When viewing houses or apartments, tenants often consider their belongings, and how they’ll fit into the new space. That’s why creating or highlighting specific storage areas is a good idea. For example, try converting the understairs space into a cupboard, or hiring a carpenter to build a cupboard into an alcove.
- Pay special attention to the kitchen and bathroom. These two rooms are what tenants often focus on the most. A dated kitchen or shabby bathroom suite can make or break the deal, so it’s worthwhile investing some money into getting them right. However, it is possible to improve both areas on a tight budget. Painting kitchen cupboards can give them a new lease of life, as can re-tiling the bathroom.
- Keep it neutral. If you want to attract as many people as possible, we recommend sticking to a neutral colour palette when decorating. This doesn’t mean covering the house with magnolia paint, though. There are plenty of great neutral colours available, which team up nicely with features like exposed floorboards, beams and fireplaces.
- Tidy the garden. All outdoor areas should be showcased as much as possible. If you’ve got a garden, make sure it’s well-tended and weed-free; and if possible, create a ‘dining zone’ to emphasise the sort of al fresco lifestyle your tenants could enjoy. If you’ve got a smaller outdoor space, add a few flowerpots for some colour.