If you are a landlord you will always be looking for ways to make the most return on your rental properties. However, you may sometimes struggle to find new tenants, particularly at the price you would like to charge. This can be for a number of reasons. We look at the most common reasons tenants are put off renting certain properties and what you can do to fix them.
1.Dirt and Mess
It goes without saying that no one is going to be attracted to a dirty property. Always ensure that your property is given a thorough deep clean when the old tenants leave. Pay particular attention to the bathroom and kitchen areas. You can either do this yourself or pay for a professional cleaning company to do it.
2.Clutter
When potential tenants view your property, they often like to imagine how their own things will look in their new home. If your property is full of unnecessary clutter they may quickly decide the property isn’t for them. This is because they will probably want to store your clutter away and this will take time and precious storage space away for their own items. They may also be put off because clutter usually makes rooms look smaller and lots of space is always a plus when renting a property. To prevent this happening to you, always ensure that you remove any unnecessary items from your property before you let it. Sometimes a fresh pair of eyes can help you see your property without any personal attachment to items that you have on display. However, it is also important that you don’t go overboard with this. You also want to avoid your property looking like a sad empty shell. A few tasteful soft furnishings can help bring a bit of colour into a room and make it look more homely.
3.Tired Furniture
If you want to attract tenants you need to show your property in the best light. Tired, worn, old furniture will make your property look tired and worn. Replacing scruffy old furniture doesn’t have to cost a fortune. You can pick up quality second-hand furniture online or in second-hand shops for a fraction of the price of a new equivalent. A few carefully chosen items can really transform a property.
4.No Extras Included
Now that we are in the 21st century a lot of tenants have expectations of what items should come with a property. Many will expect a tumble dryer, dishwasher, coffee maker etc. If you don’t already have these items, it might be worth investing the money to put them in. In addition, tenants will often be prepared to pay a bit extra for properties that come with more gadgetry and convenience goods.
Taking the time to see your own property through the eyes of your tenant is always a good idea. However, if you have a property to rent and you need some professional help, please get in touch. We are an established letting agent in the West End of Glasgow and can give you help and advice on how best to prepare your property for the rental market.
Established in 2008, Western lettings is an independent, award-winning letting agents in the west end of Glasgow. We focus entirely on property lettings and property management in order to provide the best possible service in these key areas. We are highly accredited (ARLA, TPOS, SAL, LAS, CLA) and all our property managers have level 6 qualifications in property management. We provide a wide range of professional services for landlords and for tenants.
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