Whether you're an accidental landlord or a seasoned professional, do you really know what your tenants expect from your rental property? Today we reveal some of the most common things tenants are looking for when renting a home.
Everything to be deep cleaned
One of the most common requests we receive from tenants is for the property they're moving into to be cleaned thoroughly before they move in.
The property should be professionally cleaned when the previous tenants move out at a cost to the tenants, which should include steam cleaning the carpets.
If you pay for a property management service, this will be taken care of, but if you are responsible for managing the property yourself, you need to check to make sure that it is done to a high enough standard.
Carry out repair work before the tenancy starts
Any repair works or maintenance issues with the property should be rectified before your new tenants move in.
It can be frustrating for tenants to take time off work or alter their plans for workmen to visit the property to sort out any issues, so it's best to get them seen to as soon as the previous tenants move out.
If there's a small window of time between the tenancies, it's a good idea to go to the property before the previous tenants move out to see what needs doing, in order to make appropriate arrangements for when they leave.
Low running costs
While costs such as council tax and parking permits are out of your control, you can help keep your tenant's running costs down by making sure your rental property is as energy efficient as it can be.
From April 2018, it is a legal requirement for all rental properties to have an energy efficient rating of E or above.
If your rental property already meets the minimum standard, you should still be thinking about replacing the boiler every 15 years and the white goods every 10 to 15 years, as well as installing wall and loft insulation in every area of the property. This will ensure higher levels of energy efficiency and help to keep your tenant's costs down.
Ample storage space
Whether you're renting an apartment to couples or a house to families, everyone requires storage space in their rental home.
Although it's not always easy to create useful storage space, especially for larger items such as suitcases and bikes, take a look at our storage ideas for city homes for some inspiration.
If your rental property is lacking space inside, then outside storage containers can be very useful too.
Low maintenance garden
According to a study commissioned by Foxtons about how we use our outside space, over 20% of Britons spend less than two hours a month in their garden. Which is why your tenants may appreciate outside space that is easy to maintain.
Some landlords opt to pay for garden maintenance themselves to ensure that it is done on a regular basis, though most require their tenants to take on the responsibility. However, if the garden has lots of greenery that needs cutting back every spring and tending to throughout the year, you can't always rely on your tenants to do this.
While a paved garden may be the lowest maintenance option, it can also be the least attractive. But a part-paved, part-lawn combination might work for both you and your tenants, as long as you provide a lawn mower.