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Giving a rental property an extra edge

I have a house which is nearly ready to go on to the rental market and I was wondering if anyone had any ideas to give the property that extra something when potential agents and tenants come to view the property? Things like, making sure the house is not cold when they view and that the grass is cut etc. Any nice touches that mean the property sticks in their mind?

The house is recently decorated, kitchen bathroom replaced etc to a good standard as it has been our home. We are keen to get it rented as soon as its completed as we will be moving into our new house.

Thanks for your help/advice
Some people don't exaggerate........... They just remember big!
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Comments

  • It's all about the proposed rent. No number of bunches of flowers or nice curtains will get a prospective tenant interested more than the rent being set at a sensible level. To make it more attractive, have it at a small percentage lower than the other comparable properties locally.
  • RAS
    RAS Posts: 34,466 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Do you fully understand your legal responsibilities? Have you signed up with a landlord's association?

    If you know what you are talking about it gives the potential tenant some confidence that you will behave in a professional manner.

    It also helps protect you from the professional nightmare tenants who cant quite get the reference you need, cant quite make the full deposist and once moved in wreck the place and fail to pay any rent.
    If you've have not made a mistake, you've made nothing
  • whalster
    whalster Posts: 397 Forumite
    Dealing with it yourself is the key ! tenants like a private landlord they hate agents .If an alien were to drop to earth this afternoon and learn about our culture he would quickly pick this up just by listnening the news and reading the papers , all earthlings know this .So all your ideas are good as said above get red hot on the rules join an association visit private landlord directory facebook page or other local facebook pages doing similar in your area ( there will be some if you search) you will see what tenants want .
    Oh I always get there before the tenant and if a little stuffy open the windows . I sometimes let mone split the deposit and on the whole still think a deposit is a good idea but the last couple of landlord meetings I have been to seem to be moving more toward not taking one at all and in fairness they put forward a rather credible argument.
    best of luck with it
  • princeofpounds
    princeofpounds Posts: 10,396 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    The house is recently decorated, kitchen bathroom replaced etc to a good standard as it has been our home.

    If you have this, and set the rent competitive with genuine peer properties, you should be fine.

    It's the stuff which is semi-cosmetic that's one of the real drains in renting. Stuff like peeling paint, loose lino corners, slightly rotting windowframes.

    When you own a house, you wouldn't put up with deteriorating conditions like that. But because the LL knows they won't need to stare them in the face every day they tolerate it, knowing it's someone else's problem. Keep ongoing investment low because that maximises return - up to a point there's an economic logic to it.

    Tenants can't force a fix as it's not technically disrepair, and have no incentive to invest in it themselves as they will not receive the long-term benefit.

    Most rentals are in that sort of condition, at least in my experience (which may be more young professional than family, and city/suburb-based). So anything which was in good condition stood out immediately.
  • Kiran
    Kiran Posts: 1,530 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Thanks for your input.

    I was planning to use an agent for at least the tennant find/credit search element, do you think that would deter potential tenants?

    It's actually quite good to hear that just having the house in a good state of repair is enough to stand out.

    Any merit in a folder with EPC, gas safe cert elec check and emergency cover etc for tenants viewing?

    Cheers
    Some people don't exaggerate........... They just remember big!
  • BitterAndTwisted
    BitterAndTwisted Posts: 22,492 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    If you are not experienced landlords than you will need an agent for their tenant-finding/credit-referencing BUT you must not take them any of on trust. You must ensure that you see the prospective tenants references for yourselves and reserve your right of veto.


    It's not unknown for an agent to be having their hefty tenant-finding fee in mind and won't care one jot about what happens once it's let.

    EPC, gas safe cert, elec check and emergency cover etc all in a plastic folder in plain view is extremely useful and indicative to a prospective viewer.
  • hamster2013
    hamster2013 Posts: 245 Forumite
    no merit, but you would need those regardless - so all landlords would have it.

    when looking for an agent - get their fee's list: not only what they charge you as the landlord, but what they would be charging a potential tenant - as that can also be a factor which would scare tenants away - typically, ensure that they dont' double charge : ie some charge landlord AND tenants for the same service (credit check being a good example) - run from those EA's

    as for the house - keep it clean, keep it simple, plug in some air freshners.... and you should be good to go
  • Kiran
    Kiran Posts: 1,530 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    All useful advice. Thanks guys
    Some people don't exaggerate........... They just remember big!
  • BitterAndTwisted
    BitterAndTwisted Posts: 22,492 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Actually, don't plug in any air-fresheners! They are most commonly used by dodgy landlords to cover up smells of damp or cat's pee.

    Unless the property is in an area where there are good properties lying empty in their hundreds, you should find that tenants will be queueing up to rent somewhere newly decorated and in good condition which is being let at a sensible rent-level. In most parts of the country there are far fewer decent properties than there are decent tenants and this is pushing rents up and up.
  • ognum
    ognum Posts: 4,879 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Mostly it all about rent, good value property will rent.

    Look at Rightmove and Zoopla at the rent bands and don't go just over a band. The bands go up in £100s until 1k then it goes to £1250. Don't go to £1020 for instance as people searching up to £1000 won't find you!

    Get a good set of pics, good kitchen and bathroom pics if they are nice.

    Get EA to talk about area and transport links and parking if appropriate.

    I like rental agents to do a floor plan.

    Always read tenant reviews of agencies, don't choose one with bad reviews as tenants will avoid them. I like small independent agents.
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