Question about quality of rental properties

thegirlintheattic

The rental market, at least in my area, seems to be very fast moving so it's worth checking with the agent regularly and don't be afraid to say that you are looking for somewhere in a good condition.

I got shown some really bad ones when looking, places that you would not want to touch anything in, but then got lucky with a house that had been newly refurbished.

Maybe it's worth keeping an eye on houses that are for sale (and also being let) or properties purchased by developers in your local area. These are the ones that are likely to be done up and let in a good condition.

ruggedtoast

Every property I have rented has been considerably cleaner when I've left it than when I moved in. The last four places I have rented the owners have all told us on checkout that they've never had tenants who've cleaned the places so well.

Its not uncommon now to include professional cleaning before checkout as part of the tenancy (assuming the place is clean when the tenants move in which it never has been for me), if thats not done then its a deposit deduction. I am not sure why you've had such trouble with this.

If you only have one property I cant imagine cleaning it every 12 months or so after having had someone else pay the mortgage for you for the previous year could actually be that onerous.

tunnel

I guess it comes to standards at the end of the day - I would not be happy renting out something to someone where I was not prepared to live myself, and I'd rather have a clear consiousness and sleep well at night than an extra £50 in my pocket

I'll 2nd that,my wife and i let out 3 properties,all in pristine condition,all were started on 6 month contracts and all our tenants have asked to renew with 12 month contracts.We fix when broken and are easily contacted for any problems. Our philosophy is a happy tenant is a paying tenant(sorry T's, it is business after all)

Tunnel

aliasojo

Well today's viewing brought a £1000 pcm property which was the best of the bunch so far despite the fact it stunk of smoke and had mouldy windows. The area was good and the space was big and useable so it may be a case of getting the old Marigolds and sugar soap out and putting up with the windows. £1000....it breaks my heart.