The key to finding the right Tenants and achieving the best possible rent is to ensure that your property is presented in its best light.

The standard that you will need to present your property to is obviously dependant on the type of Tenant that you are looking to attract and the level of the market you are aiming at. Furnishing an ex council one bedroom flat with expensive luxury furniture will not produce a return on your investment whilst equally putting dated second-hand furnishings into a luxury modern apartment will deter potential Tenants and limit the amount of rent achievable. Below are some tips to follow to ensure that your property is made appealing to potential Tenants as possible. Most of these are common sense and sound simple but by following these, you will instantly make your property stand out above 90% of the market.

1. Make sure that your property is thoroughly cleaned to a good standard. Cleanliness makes a huge difference to the appeal of a property and also shows Tenants that their Landlord looks after and maintains the property. As a general rule, good quality properties tend to attract good quality Tenants.
2. Check that the furniture is in good condition and is suitable for the type of property you have. If a mattress is in poor condition or the sofa is ripped then it is important to replace them as a standard of furnishings can have a big impact on the appeal of a property.
3. Take care over the small touches as when people choose a home to rent it is often an emotional decision and this can come down to intangibles. For example, if you have a garden, then make sure that he grass is cut and it is well maintained – an overgrown garden can be a negative as Tenants may think more of the work they will have to do to maintain it rather than the enjoyment they will get from it. Likewise, if you are marketing your property during the Winter then put the heater on a timer so that the property still stays warm, it is very difficult for anyone to start envisaging a place as their new home when its freezing cold!
4. Ensure that your property is available to view at short notice, late into the evenings and at weekends, Properties can come and go very quickly so Tenants are often looking to make an immediate decision on a property to avoid missing out. This means that if they have other viewings booked but can’t get into your property on their preferred time and day then they may end up never viewing it as they will have already decided to go ahead with something else. If you are using a Letting Agent then make sure that they work late into evenings and at weekends to ensure that your property doesn’t miss out on any viewers. It is also important to provide them with a key as viewings are often booked at short notice.
5. Make sure that your property is advertised as widely as possible. The more people that see your property the easier it will be to achieve the highest possible price and have the widest selection of Tenants. In order to reach the biggest possible audience it is worth instructing a good quality Letting Agent as their fee will generally be covered within the uplift in rent they are able to achieve for you.

If you would like to speak to someone about the possibility of letting a property then call in at your local Hannells branch or contact our lettings experts on 01332 345 518.