8th October 2016
Adequately preparing your property for tenants is of the utmost importance, as failing to do so gives the impression that you may be a lazy or incompetent landlord.
Good presentation increases the value and desirability of your property, and first impressions count! If the property is in bad condition during a viewing, there’s not much of a chance that the tenant will want to live there.
Preparing a property for tenants can seem overwhelming, even if you’re a fairly experienced landlord. No matter what your experience, it’s totally normal to feel stressed – preparing a property is about a lot more than just cleaning it, after all.
The best place to start is normally with the decor of the property.
When preparing a property as a landlord, you have to pay no attention whatsoever to your own personal tastes. Strong colours and patterns are a no-go, as they date quickly and can be difficult to repair/maintain.
Bathrooms and kitchens
Both should have neutral decor, and should have all appliances and installations working. For example, check that everything such as fridges and ovens work in the kitchen; and that all of the taps in the bathrooms function as normal. One of the most common faults that tenants find in their properties after moving in is that the shower or bath doesn’t work.
Central heating
Consider replacing the boiler if it is over ten years old, and has failed more than twice. Remember – if a boiler begins to need multiple repairs, it’s likely that it will continue. It’s nearly always cheaper to replace a boiler as soon as it begins to need repairs, instead of forking out for multiple repair costs.
Anything else?
Use carpet or flooring from a well-known supplier. If you need to replace any in the property in the future, it’ll match the rest of the property.
As an overall rule, everything in the property should be as clean as it can possibly be. It may seem like common sense to most people, but you’d be surprised at the number of tenants that have viewed houses with dirty countertops or baths, amongst other things.
Regardless of the number of properties concerned, it’s important to be prepared with all of the contracts and legal information you need at all times. It’s all too easy to get overwhelmed with paperwork and the like, however it is important to get it right in order to avoid breaking any laws.
It may seem like a lot of hard work and effort in order to get your property ready, however, if you do not have the time, or do not wish to make the time, then contact Sow & Reap, as our team will turn your property around in next to no time and have it ready for your new tenants.
