Doing up flat to rent out - any advise would be super!

fusar

Hi,

We have a one bed (small) flat in South East London. We are going to rent it out asap, but it has to be "done up" a bit, although we do have a new kitchen and bathroom.

I was going to remove the dirty beige carpets with laminate, but it appears that some people on this site have warned against this. The flat is on the ground floor, so wouldn't be too noisy - am I missing anything else. as I don't understand other problems that laminate may cause.....?

We are going to paint it natural colours and give it a good clean.

Should we buy a washing machine to go in the flat, if it is advertised as furnished? As we live about 4 hours away, I don't really want loads of maintenance.

As it is an ex-council flat, in a small block of four high, the "communal areas" are really mucky (although we do pay for a cleaner, but it needs a good paint and scrub if you ask me!). I am worried that the communal area that you walk through to get to the flats will put people off? Anyone had any experience with this?

Also we are thinking of putting Housing Benefit recipients in the flat, through a scheme run by the local council - does anyone have any warnings against this?

Any advice would be great
Thanks
Sarah

lynzpower

Ive got laminate, people love it. I was going to carpet my flat, every single one of my mates and family said no dont bother.

So I havent.

RHemmings

When I am looking for a house to rent, I prefer low maintenance and easy to repair decorations. Painted walls. Easy to clean carpet. If I see anything too "fancy" and expensive looking, I tend to imagine it getting damaged and losing part of my deposit.

Jim_B_3

When I rent a furnished flat, I don't even bother going to see it if it hasn't got an oven, a washing machine and a power shower. Presumably there are more people out there like me.