When we live in our homes, it’s easy to overlook the list of jobs we’ve put off doing. It’s hard to look at your own property objectively as it’s your own safe haven, but if you don’t, potential tenants will, and may be put off. Viewers will only form one “first impression” so attention to detail is vital. Here are our top 10 tips for preparing your property for the rental market:
De-personalise the decoration. Just because something is to your taste, it doesn’t mean it will be to someone else’s. Make sure you use neutral, light colours to paint or wallpaper the walls along with clean white or stained woodwork. These kinds of colours will make your property seem bigger and lighter.- Carry out maintenance and repairs. It’s so much easier to make repairs before a tenant moves into the property. Fix any leaks and treat any damp areas. Replace light bulbs and make sure that the heating and hot water are working. It’s important to pay attention to detail as these things will come back and bite you if you cut corners. If they haven’t already, your letting agent should recommend works that should be carried out and will have a list of verified contractors to use if you aren’t planning to do the works yourself.
- Make sure your property is clean. This is perhaps the most important part of preparing your property to rent. Again it’s about those first impressions. On viewings people like to envision themselves living somewhere and let’s be honest, who would want to live somewhere dirty? Cleanliness is also vital when it comes to creating an inventory as your tenants will need to return the property in good condition. If you don’t have the property professionally cleaned before a tenancy how could you expect it to be done at the end of one?
- Kitchen Appliances. Make sure that all appliances being left for use are fit for purpose and are working. There’s nothing worse than receiving a call from your agent to say that the fridge is broken or the oven is no longer heating up. Domestic appliances are often expensive to repair and many people don’t budget for the unexpected breakdowns.
Tidy the garden. Gardens should be left neat, tidy and rubbish free. The standard you leave your garden in will be the standard it’s expected to be left when tenants vacate. You may want to consider leaving a lawnmower or other garden tools to aid in the upkeep of your garden.- Have a valid Energy Performance Certificate. It is compulsory to have an EPC and to have copies ready for the tenant. Your agent can organise this if you don’t have one but you need to budget for this if you haven’t already. Neil Douglas charge £80 for an EPC and it will last you 10 years.
- Gas Safety Certificate. It is a legal requirement to have an annual gas safety inspection (if your property has gas of course). All gas appliances will need to be checked by a CORGI registered engineer to ensure they are safe to use. Your tenant will need to have a copy of the certificate but your agent will be able to advise you on this. You should budget between £50 and £100.
- Have spare keys cut. You should make sure you have enough spare keys cut. One set will normally stay with your managing agent with the others going to the tenant(s). Ensure that you leave window keys and patio door keys for tenants to use.
- Check the plumbing. Ensure that the boiler is working and providing adequate hot water and heating. There is also a simple risk assessment which now needs to be done to check for Legionnaire’s disease. If you can pre-empt repair works it could save you a fortune in the long run. Make sure there are no leaks and taps, showers & baths work and are safe for use.
- Finally, prepare any useful information for the tenant. This could include instruction manuals for kitchen appliances or even take away menus for that first night when everything is still in boxes and cooking is not on the cards.
It is encouraging for potential tenants to see that you take care of your property and remember those first impressions can only be made once….