If you’re a current landlord or thinking of letting a property, your obvious goal is to attract tenants who will respect and care for your property. However, this is sometimes easier said than done.
The buy-to-let sector is extremely competitive and ideally, you want to take your pick of applicants. In order to encourage plenty of interest, our letting agents in Southampton have put together 10 top tips for attracting tenants. From altering layouts to simply brewing some coffee, this list will set you on the right path to successfully letting a property.
The way people live and the kinds of properties that appeal to tenants has shifted drastically in recent years. Open-plan living is extremely popular, offering a sociable lifestyle and a sense of increased space. If you’re yet to purchase a buy-to-let or are thinking of renovations, keep in mind that an open-plan layout may attract more interest and give you greater choice when it comes to letting a property.
It’s extremely tempting to fit rental properties with inexpensive kitchens and bathrooms. However, this is something that prospective tenants really look out for. It’s often worth investing a little extra in better quality features. Even a slight upgrade can make a big difference to the kinds of tenants you’ll attract.
We’re all guilty of having a little too much clutter in our homes. However, to someone who is considering a tenancy, clutter rings alarm bells. At best they’ll be distracted by the mess and personal trinkets and at worst, they’ll discount the property for not having enough storage. It costs nothing to clear the clutter so make sure you tackle this task before advertising your property.
Cast a critical eye around your property: are there scuff marks on the walls? Are the carpets looking worn? Are there niggling, neglected DIY jobs? These are all things that we become used to in our own homes but are immediately obvious to newcomers. It’s time to get to work! It’s amazing what a lick of fresh paint and a little elbow grease can achieve. You could attract a more appealing tenant and increase your rental income with minimal effort and outlay.
Don’t underestimate the importance of natural light. Even if they don’t consciously realise it, prospective tenants will notice if a home feels dark and shadowy. If you’re limited by layout and window size, there are still steps you can take to maximise the natural light available:
Upholstered furniture, curtains, carpets and rugs are all culprits for retaining bad smells. Giving these things a good clean, especially if you’ve got pets or smoke, will help your property appeal to tenants. It’s also a good idea to remove pet beds, toys and food bowls, and avoid smelly cooking pre-viewings.
If you want to go the extra mile when it comes to the sense of smell, you could consider baking bread, brewing coffee or simply using a mild air freshener. You certainly don’t want to overwhelm any visitors, but these scents can be especially appealing to prospective tenants.
If you are offering any outside space as part of the property, this is an opportunity to really wow prospective tenants and put your property at the top of their list. Safe, low-maintenance, un-cluttered areas are most appealing so, mow the lawn, trim the hedge, clean the paving… and take care of any other little tasks to spruce up your outside spaces.
Parking can be a make-or-break issue for tenants. When letting a property, it’s a very good idea to ensure your property includes/has access to suitable parking.
First impressions are all-important, so make sure your property shows off in its listing. A well-written description paired with great photos is the first step to attracting maximum interest from potential tenants. And, the more interest you have, the pickier you can be.
Last but certainly not least: choose a trustworthy, reliable letting agent to help with the whole process. These professionals deal with tenants and landlords every single day. They know the current market and are in the perfect position to offer invaluable advice.
Our letting agents in Hampshire are in contact with people currently looking to rent in the area. They may already know the perfect tenant for your property. If you choose Charters as your letting agent, we will be extremely proactive and responsive: working hard to achieve your goals. From advice and listings to property viewings and beyond, we’re here to offer our support.
If you’d like advice on the next steps and are looking for letting agents in Southampton or wider Hampshire and Surrey, please get in touch. We have local offices throughout the region and our friendly, approachable team will be happy to help.
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