Property Rental Essentials – Attracting Long-term Tenants

Your new prospective tenants have opened the door to your property. They have high hopes; it’s in a prime area, has that all elusive garden they have been looking for and free parking. Their research has indicated the rent is cheaper than any other property within a ten mile radius. All seems perfect, until they enter.

Sure, tenants expect the basics and a sub-standard living environment if they are students. However, with rental properties becoming an option for everyone from the professional couple to family, the basics simply do not cut it any more. Long-term tenants are preferred by any landlord who wants to save cash, avoid frequent turnover and generally make their lives easier. So to landlords everywhere, I present you with my tips on improving the aesthetic and interior of your buy-to-let property to encourage long-term tenants that will respect your property.

The Basics

Despite being a legal requirement, many properties still do not have working fire alarms. Make sure there is at least one situated in the kitchen or hallway. If your property also contains white goods (fridge, washing machine, microwave etc), make sure they have all been checked by a competent electrical engineer. Many landlords avoid providing white goods so that they can evade the chance of repair or extra expense. This does not send a good message to your prospective tenants and demonstrates a lack of care for their quality of living. Remedy this by supplying energy efficient white goods of a high quality so tenants are more encouraged to select your property.

On the subject of energy efficiency, an effective boiler is necessary for your tenants. With fuel prices increasing yearly, many tenants will not rent a property if the boiler is poor. Investing in double glazed windows and wall insulation will also provide more comfort for you tenants, while secure doors and locks will help them feel safe and secure.

Lighting is an important factor for any property. If your buy-to-let property has few windows, include sufficient lighting with economical bulbs. No-one wants to rent a home that feels dark and dingy!

Homeliness 101

For your interior, neutral colours will provide a more homely environment. A harsher pallet may break a potential tenancy, so focus on lighter shades and base colours. Paler colours will also absorb light easier, making a home feel more bright and vibrant. This is appropriate for both walls and carpets if included. Co-ordinate all colours and try to maintain consistent colours or patterns throughout each room. A property will be more attractive if it does not look like a mish-mash of styles. 

High quality furniture can enhance your property and transform it to anything you like, be it rustic, modern or sophisticated. If you are a landlord who cannot afford to buy good and sturdy furniture, consider furniture rental and obtain the essential furniture your tenant will need. Rather than fully furnishing the property, try just providing the main elements such as a bed, sofa and dining table. This way you won’t alienate any tenants who may have some furniture of their own.  It is unlikely potential tenants seeking furnished properties will want to spend an extra few hundred quid on furniture and those preferring unfurnished may be inclined to ditch their own for the sake of renting your property.

The Final Touches

With your buy-to-let property now looking like a home, there are a few more things you need to think about. Most importantly, don’t be lazy with cleanliness. The last thing you want is to lose a potential long-term tenant because you lapsed on some basic spring cleaning! Vacuuming, polishing and deep cleaning white goods will impress potential tenants. Make sure the bathroom is spotless too – nobody wants to see a dirty toilet or a grease-lathered bathtub.

To finish off,  when preparing for viewings use aromatic candles or bake some bread or cookies to exude an element of homeliness which will be highly appealing. Underestimating a poor odour in your property will cost you potential tenants.

If you follow these tips you should be well on your way to attracting the long-term tenants that will respect your property and help you maintain a healthy buy to let investment.

I hope you found this article helpful. Please follow me on twitter @EdwardPhelan1 and if you have any comments please tweet them with #propertytips