Presentation matters
Potential tenants are visiting your property and will be eagerly looking around, you need to make an effort to show your property at its best. Don’t let tenants imagine how good it could be – show them.
Decide on your properties best assets and show them off.
Here we share some useful hints & tips to get your property viewing ready…
Undertake any property structure repairs
It’s easier to do any repairs before a tenant moves in. Treat any damp areas, re-paint the exterior of the property, fix any broken windows and doors.
De-personalise any decoration
Neutral, plain and light-coloured wallpaper and painted walls with clean white painted woodwork is much more appealing and has more longevity than patterned wallpaper or brightly-coloured painted walls.
Clean the property thoroughly
Hire a steam cleaner to clean the floors, any furnishings and even the curtains. Clean the kitchen and bathroom thoroughly, ensuring there is no trace of mould or damp stains anywhere in the property. The tenant will be agreeing to keep the property in the same good quality state during the tenancy, with an allowance for normal “wear and tear” of course.
We would recommend that you have the property professional cleaned, but this is of course your choice.
Check the plumbing
Ensure that the boiler, hot water supply, sinks, baths, showers and toilets are safe and fit for use.
Kitchen appliances
If budget allows, upgrading the kitchen appliances before the tenant moves in is a wise move, making the property much more appealing and ensuring you don’t incur expensive repair bills for broken-down appliances during the tenancy.
Tidy the garden
Gardens should be left neat, tidy and rubbish-free. If there’s a lawn it should be cut short before the tenant moves in. If you require the tenant to keep the gardens in good condition, it’s reasonable to expect the tenant to do so if you leave the tools, lawnmower etc with them.
Prepare information for your tenant
If you have instructions for the kitchen appliances, boiler, security alarm, Council rubbish pick-up leaflets etc, it’s a good idea to make a copy and leave them in a folder for the tenant to use.
