Expanding your property portfolio is one of the most tried and tested ways to give your monthly income a boost, as well as secure your financial future. If you’re looking to rent out your property, then it’s important to make it attractive to potential renters so that you can ensure a continuous interest and get the renters you’re seeking. Let’s take a look at some of the ways you can make to your property to ensure that it is appealing in the highly competitive rental market.
Make Your Kitchen The Focus
They say that the kitchen is the heart of the home and, in most cases, it is the most expensive room to renovate. It will pay off hugely to make your kitchen appealing to your potential tenants, so be sure to make it clean, up to date and bright before any viewings if you want to secure a tenancy. Take time to add some nice accessories, such as fresh flowers or nice, lightly scented candles, as well as crockery and kitchen appliances on display – after all, you want your potential tenants to picture themselves cooking in the kitchen!
Get Rid Of Any Clutter
Tenants don’t want to move into a home where there is lots of clutter that isn’t even theirs. If you have clutter in your property, be sure to remove it before tenants move in. If you are showcasing the property as one which is furnished, then only include furniture which your tenants will be expecting to find.
A lot of landlords tend to furnish their rental properties with mismatched, old furniture, but this just shows your tenants that you don’t care too much about how they feel in your property. Using furniture that is cared for, comfortable and nice to look at for either tenant viewings or to keep in your property for the long term.
Improve The Curb Appeal
Whilst the interior of your home is important, so too is the exterior of your home. Try to maintain and keep the exterior of your home in keeping with the rest of your property. Remove weeds from steps, doorways and fronts and sides of the home and sweep pathways before tenant viewings – you won’t believe how much of a difference this will make to the appearance of your property. If you have yard or garden space, don’t underestimate just how much this will go in your favour. Ensure lawns are cared for and well maintained, look to provide some form of outdoor storage for gardening equipment and tools.
Protecting Yourself As A Landlord
Before you take on a new tenant in your property, ensure that you do everything you can in order to protect yourself and your property. Take plenty of before photos so that, in the event of any disputes, you have evidence to show. Be sure to collect any fees or pre-payments before allowing tenants to move in and ensure that all paperwork has been completed in line with your lawyer’s recommendations and approval. Although it’s hard to imagine, some tenancies do end badly, so ensure you have good landlord legal advice to fall back on in the event of this happening.