It's likely your tenants will want their rental property to feel like a home. As their landlord, you can assist with this by carrying out a few simple steps.
Now you don't need to be all Laurence-Llewelyn Bowen about it, but you do need to know how to present your rental properties in the right way.
Using our experience and knowledge as West Lothian's first dedicated lettings agency, we provide some top tips on how to make your rental homes look as inviting as possible...
Fresh lick of paint
It might be an obvious and unoriginal step, but it's also a simple and cheap one. Giving the walls a quick refresh – blues, pale greens, whites and creams are likely to have the widest appeal – will help the home look brighter, newer and more vibrant.
It will also show would-be tenants that their rental property will be well-looked after; no shabbiness or tired paintwork will be tolerated.
Neutral, light and subtle colours will help to give off an airy and spacious feel, while it's also important to remember that paint is generally easier to maintain than wallpaper.
Also, bear in mind that cutting corners with decorating is likely to cost you more in the long-term.
High-quality furniture
This needn't cost the world, but it will help to keep your tenants happy.
Whilst many landlords and agents will suggest purchasing second hand furniture to save money, we believe you should purchase new, where possible.
The internet is full of tenant-friendly, inexpensive furniture and bargain shops for accessories, so there really are no excuses!
When it comes to use of space, some will prefer a more intimate, cosy atmosphere, while some will prefer a more minimalist, stripped-back vibe.
Use your judgement here: if it is a modern property and you are targeting the young professional market, then it’s streamline. If it’s an older property, you will attract a different type of tenant so a cosy throw, cushions, rugs etc are the name of the game here.
Flooring choice
When it comes to flooring, carpets and wood both have their upsides and downsides.
If you opt for carpeting, make sure it is a neutral colour – again, this will have the most universal appeal as anything that is too quirky, bright or out-there will have tenants turning their noses up.
Wood flooring, on the other hand, is fairly easy to clean and maintain, as well as being a lot harder to stain! However, it will be louder, colder on the feet in the mornings and may increase the chances of items being smashed/broken.
That said, wooden flooring can be customised with rugs, giving tenants the best of both worlds.
Dress it well
Making your home as attractive as possible will increase your chances of attracting tenants and then getting them to stay for the long-term.
Simple things like making sure the kitchen and living room have been given a thorough once over and ensuring the bathrooms are sparkling can make all the difference. Tiles
Some maintain that tiles are more durable and easier to maintain. But give careful thought to this in rooms that are particularly susceptible to mould, such as bathrooms, kitchens and utility rooms.
The right tiles can look good. But they can gather slime and dirt in the grouting, and continually need re-grouting which can raise financial and deposit issues for both landlord and tenant at the end of a tenancy.
Instead, consider using modern wall boards which eliminate the need for re-grouting and looks fresh and modern. These come in a variety of colours to suit all tastes. Don’t be tempted to use the cheaper, flexible type. These boards are rigid and will look great for years to come.
For more advice about how to successfully let a property, please get in touch with Letting Solutions on 01506 496006.
To work out how much rent you could be charging, check out our free and instant online valuation tool.
https://blog.letting-solutions.co.uk/interior-design-tips-to-improve-your-rental-property/
