It takes more than just an ad in the local paper to find a good tenant.
Invest a little time and effort in getting your property looking more than
just another rental and you can find yourself the perfect tenant.
Most prospective tenants turn down rental properties because they look a little too much like rental properties. When a property has been rented out for a number of years, it’s difficult for it to look its best. While the carpets may be clean and the lighting and electricity work, most rental properties, after a while, get to the stage where they are in need of some tender loving care. But that tender loving care doesn’t need to be expensive or time-consuming…
Something as simple as painting the walls can make all the difference between a house that looks ready to move into, and one that looks tired and shabby. Not only does it instantly brighten and freshen up the appearance of a property, it also gives it a new, clean smell — something that will be attractive to prospective tenants. Don’t underestimate the importance smell plays in making a judgment; we don’t only choose with our eyes.
Next, ensure all fittings, however small and seemingly insignificant, are fixed. When a prospective tenant sees a broken light switch casing, he or she will wonder what else is broken. While you might know that it’s just the one light switch casing that needs attention — and you’ll be fixing it as soon asyou can — your prospective tenant won’t (and don’t think that just because they’re
renting the property, they won’t mind!). It’s important to reassure prospective tenants that your house is in a good state of repair and that there’s no chance of anything failing to work.
If your property has been let for a considerable number of years, and you’ve been unable to get in to properly refurbish it, then take it off the market for a month or so and get the work done. So many prospective tenants are and get the work done. So many prospective tenants are turned off by properties looking tired and neglected. It may be just a rental, but remember that you’re asking someone to call it home And while it’s understandable that no one will treat your home with the same care and attention you would, that doesn’t mean that a prospective tenant should be expected to live in a shabby and
clown-at-heel house. Before you place your house on the rental market, ask yourself if you would want to live in it. If the answer’s no, then you’ve probably got a little more work to do.
If you’re going to advertise your rental property in the local paper, give as much Information as you can, including the exact location. Also provide a telephone number on the exact location. Also provide a telephone number on
which callers can easily reach you. Be prepared to show your house during the day (especially during the winter), when prospective tenants will want to see how much light the property gets and how it looks during the day time; They will also probably want to see the yard.
Properties that are let unfurnished sometimes have a little more work to do than those that are let furnished. It can more work to do than those that are let furnished. It can be difficult to make a rental house feel like a home
without any furniture In it. Instead, use lighting to give a warm and inviting feeling. Place a floor lamp in the main living room so that it can be lit by softer lighting than living room so that it can be lit by softer lighting than stark overhead lighting. If you’re showing your rental property in the winter, make sure that the heating is on — an unheated, empty house will do little to appeal to prospective tenants.
On the other hand, however, ft your rental property is being occupied by your current tenants when you show it, make sure it looks presentable. As with buying a home, a prospective tenant will want to imagine him- or herself
living there; they won’t want to be greeted with newspapers strewn across the floor and empty pop bottles on the kitchen table.
Above all, remember that while your rental house may be Just a source of income to you, it’s a place a prospective tenant will want to call home. Make It feel as inviting at you can — somewhere you too would be happy to call home.