Improve the Lighting

A well lit house can make all the difference for viewings, especially when a tenant is looking around during darker, winter months. If your rental property can seem a bit gloomy, invest in better lighting in some of the rooms, especially the hall, lounge, kitchen and bedrooms.

Spotlights in the kitchen or under the worktops can work wonders, lighting up dark corners in an instant. If you haven’t got time to fit all the lighting before viewings (but plan to do so), you can even purchase temporary, stick-on lights to go under cabinets to improve the light in a kitchen.

If you have a hall, it is the first part of the house a prospective tenant sees, so good overhead lighting here, to help it look light and airy, make a big difference. If the lounge is dark, the addition of a few inexpensive lamps dotted around – such as table lamps or floor standing lamps – can light up dark corners and improve the look of a room. Likewise, good overhead lighting in a bedroom can make it appear more welcoming.

Add Contemporary Touches

Old fixtures and furnishings can instantly date a property and put off young renters, who are looking for light, modern and contemporary accommodation. You don’t have to spend loads of money on providing furnishings, but there are a few things you can do to add a more contemporary look to a property.

If there are net curtains in windows, then remove them instantly and replace them with roller blinds or frosted window treatments. Brass door handles have become a bit dated, but you can give doors an instant lift by updating them with chrome or silver handles.

The kitchen is a big selling point for many tenants and a dated kitchen can be off-putting. If you don’t want to put a whole new kitchen in, you could consider updating the front of the kitchen cabinets – if it won’t look out of place – or replacing the worktops.

Replace old carpets with floor tiles or laminate flooring. They’re more appealing, plus they will be easier to keep clean.

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Clean The Property

Your property needs to be thoroughly cleaned from top to bottom to make it spotless for viewings, as potential tenants aren’t impressed by dirt or dust. If the carpets haven’t been cleaned for a while, then a deep clean may be in need.

Don’t forget to clean the windows and blinds, dust the ceiling to remove any spiders webs, wipe down the tiles in the bathroom and kitchen, and ensure the hallway or entrance is clean and tidy too.

Give the property a good airing by leaving the windows open to get fresh air through.

Sort Out Repairs

If the property has been let for a while, or you’ve just taken it on, check to see whether there are any repairs that need doing. Check for cracked tiles in the bathroom, loose paving outside, drawer handles that need tightening in the kitchen or light bulbs that need replacing. You want your property to look in tip-top condition, attract a good fee from rentals and rent quickly.

If you don’t want to do the repairs yourself, then hire a maintenance specialist to do the job for you.

Redecorate

If the interior walls, woodwork or front door are all looking a bit tired and worn, then get out a paintbrush and give them a lick of fresh paint. Choose neutral colours for the interior, to give it a fresh and contemporary look – it will also mean that the tenants existing furniture should go with the rooms if they’re not painted in bright colours.

Paint woodwork, such as skirting boards or door frames, in a satin finish, as it won’t go yellowy with age like gloss paint does.

You can use colour on the front door though, as that can help make it stand out from others on the street. Favourites include red, blue or green.

Clear Clutter

Ensure the property is clear and clutter-free. Remove unnecessary furniture to make rooms appear bigger and certainly remove or replace any old or battered furniture. Present clear and tidy rooms as they would be used – e.g. don’t have a bed in the living room (honestly, some landlords do!).

Outside, ensure the walk up to the house is clear – cutback overhanging bushes or trim hedges – and, where possible, hide the rubbish bins from sight.

Look out for part 2, to discover more ways of staging your property for rental viewings!

1. Make sure the area around the front door, or entrance to the property, is clean and tidy, as this is what prospective tenants will see first.

2. Keep any garden area, hedges, shrubs or bushes well maintained. Having the grass cut and the hedges trimmed makes a good first impression.

3. If you’re redecorating your property, opt for neutral colours. Neutral colours are preferable for property lets, as it keeps things simple and streamlined. If tenants want more colour, it can be added easily by using furniture and furnishings.

4. If you’re furnishing or partly furnishing a property, then choose good quality, but affordable, items that will last well, but not be a major disaster if you have to replace them.

5. Choose flooring with ease of cleaning and durability in mind. Laminate flooring, for example, looks good and is easy to keep clean.

6. The kitchen is regarded as an important room by many tenants and you can never have enough storage, so make sure there are plenty of cupboards.

7. Give careful consideration to what appliances you put in the kitchen. Even if you’re letting it unfurnished, a cooker is a good staple to have.

8. Good lighting is important, especially when tenants are viewing. Pop in some well placed lamps if it’s a dark day.

9. Ensure the property is clean and tidy. When you’re letting it again after a tenancy has ended, don’t forget to get it thoroughly cleaned first.

10. If the property has a garage or shed, make sure these spaces are clear and free from clutter. But if you want to encourage your tenants to cut the lawns, then do leave a lawnmower to hand!