How to lease you property faster…
First, decide what type of tenant you are targeting?
- There are tenants who want to save money and are happy to live in a property that is not in first class condition. There are others, such as professional people, who are happy to pay top rent, but expect the property to present at its absolute best.
- There is no doubt that well-presented properties achieve top rents and usually attract the best quality tenants. That adds up to a higher investment return, together with fewer headaches and shorter vacancy periods.
Valuable Presentation Tips
- Tend the gardens, mow the lawns, you could include a lawn maintenance program to ensure the grounds of your property are always well presented.
- Clean the windows, paths, gutters and outside paintwork. These are all the things are seen from the street, and you don’t want prospective tenants to dismiss the property before getting to the front door.
- Repair or replace leaking taps, sticking doors, broken light fittings, door handles, rotten floorboards, leaking gutters and torn fly screens.
- If you are thinking of painting, only paint those areas that really need it unless you plan to do the lot. New paint may only make those areas left unpainted look even shabbier. Use light, neutral colours as strong colours may not be to the tenants liking.
- Get rid of odours that you may not notice but prospective tenants will, such as pet smells. You should get carpets professionally cleaned prior to tenancy commencement, it is stated in the lease agreement terms and conditions for the tenant to have them done when vacating so we would need to supply a receipt from a licenced company if required.
- Open all curtains and blinds to allow natural light into the premises as no one likes a dark house, and the view will make the rooms appear bigger.
- Have the property clean, tidy and uncluttered at all inspection times.
- If your property has a pool, ensure the pool and the surrounds are sparkling clean. You want your prospective tenants to think of it as an asset, not a burden. If the filter or the pool needs professional repairs, it is better to do it now rather than putting it off. The repairs are usually tax deductible. We can organise monthly pool maintenance through a reputable pool company or one of your choosing.
- Ensure all electrical wiring and power points are safe. This includes any electrical appliances to be included with the property. Every house should have a working safety switch. Smoke alarms must be tested at the beginning of every tenancy or lease renewal, this can be arranged through Smoke Alarm Solutions or a company of your choosing. A compliancy certificate must be provided.
- Ensure all glass in the premises, such as shower screens, balcony sliding doors, windows etc. are all compliant with current safety standards.