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Our newsWhen letting your property, you naturally want your property to look its best, but how far should you go in terms of presentation?
Firstly, aim to understand how your property “sits” within the market. Not all tenants have the same criteria, so walk through the house with your letting agent to identify your property’s strengths and weaknesses. Look through the eyes of a typical tenant, and consider what aspects should be improved to enhance your chances of letting to that person.
For example, it may be that your property is in generally good condition, but the carpets let it down. Whilst you could take account of this in the rent, new, or professionally cleaned, carpets can transform the presentation of a property and appeal to a tenant who might otherwise be put off. However, if your property is in need of general updating, a new carpet could be a waste of money unless combined with an overall improvement.
A tenanted property can sometimes experience harder wear and tear than an owner-occupied one, and a new tenant will always prefer to “make it their own” rather than simply taking over from the last tenant. So a simple coat of paint can generally do wonders and need not be expensive.
Additionally, a tenant who moves into a fresh, clean well-presented, newly-redecorated property, knowing they need to return it one day in the same condition, is more likely to look after it more carefully and even stay longer. A tenant with a sense of pride is generally a good tenant! We like good tenants - so do our clients!