Spring is in the air and with it comes the annual property shuffle as people make plans to move home and start afresh in different locations.
Spring has long been one of the most popular times of year to move home. For some, it’s driven by corporate relocations, while for others it’s the motivation of a spring clean, the appeal of lighter evenings, or simply the practical advantage of better weather making the logistics of moving far easier. Many people also choose to schedule their move around Easter, taking advantage of the holiday period and time off work to ease the transition.
As a result, tenancies often come to an end during this season, new agreements begin, and the psychological sense of a fresh start after the winter months makes spring feel like the perfect time for a new chapter.
It's important for landlords to make the most of this period ensuring their properties are in the best condition to attract good calibre tenants, minimise void periods and set the tone for creating a positive relationship with new tenants.
So, how can landlords make the most of the seasonal opportunity to let their properties quickly, to the right tenant, and for best price?
While maximising rental income is a key objective for any landlord, adopting a pricing strategy that is both ambitious and realistic is essential to securing the right tenant. A property priced above market value is likely to remain vacant for longer, extending void periods and ultimately reducing annual returns. Prolonged time on the market can also create doubt in prospective tenants’ minds, leading them to question whether there is an underlying issue with the property.
In today’s digital marketplace, tenants have clear visibility of comparable properties and a strong understanding of local market rates. Setting a rent that is competitive, yet aligned with the property’s location, condition and target demographic, is therefore crucial. Equally, pricing significantly below market value can raise concerns and may not attract the most suitable applicants.
The objective is to secure a reliable tenant with whom you can build a positive, long-term relationship - someone who will respect the property, enjoy living there and pay their rent on time. When tenants feel they are receiving good value for money, they are more likely to take pride in the home, maintain it to a good standard and often address minor maintenance matters themselves. Conversely, if a tenant believes they are overpaying, dissatisfaction can arise from the outset, making it harder to foster a constructive landlord–tenant relationship.
Our data indicates that properties priced in line with market value typically secure a tenant within approximately two to three weeks of being launched to the market.
First impressions matter - they give a potential tenant the sense of whether the property is cared for, your attitude towards it, whether they can see themselves living there, and it also gives it a competitive edge over other locations.
A property that's looked after also encourages tenants to care for it themselves, helping to minimise wear and tear over the course of their tenancy, and setting the tone for your relationship going forwards which usually ends up with the tenant staying for a longer period of time.
You don't have to spend a fortune to refresh a property and present it at its best; having a strategy for maintaining it both during a tenancy and when you change tenants will help you to let it quickly as well as minimising long-term costs of repairs and refurbishment.
The things to focus on, which make a big difference to how a property looks, feels, and appeals to prospective tenants include:
Inside it's all about ensuring the property feels fresh, clean, and new, ready for someone to call it home, it is advisable to do this, where possible, before viewings start to give the best first impressions.
Have any carpets professionally cleaned.
If you need to replace carpet use stain-resistant options.
Refresh paint work on walls and skirting boards where necessary in clean, neutral colours.
Use hard-wearing paint that can be wiped clean and withstands scuff marks more easily.
If you're replacing any flooring opt for hard-wearing options like high quality vinyl, tiles or stone.
Fill in any cracks in the paint, silicone, and grout between tiles, especially in showers and bathrooms to avoid water getting beneath the flooring.
Check for any minor repairs such as broken kitchen handles, warped doors, glitchy taps, lost plugs and damaged plug sockets.
Check for any small leaks under sinks and behind washing machines to avoid damp developing and expensive maintenance issues occurring.
If you're letting a property furnished, check any furniture for damage, ensure sofas, rugs, and curtains are professionally cleaned, and that woodwork is treated or polished.
If you have fitted doormats, consider replacing them.
Replace any lightbulbs and fuses that are no longer working.
Assess if you need to fix or replace furniture items. One item in particular to replace is the mattress protector.
Kerb appeal is extremely important too, while communal areas and spaces outside apartment doors also set the tone. Key areas to focus on include
Paint window frames, front doors, gates, and any other outside features so that they instantly look sharp.
Treat exterior woodwork including fences, decorative cladding, gates, or garden furniture.
Cleaning windows and gutters - this will also help prevent damage and minimise the chance of developing damp.
Prune any hedges or overgrown plants and install simple but attractive planting and landscaping that's easy to maintain.
Pressure wash patios and hardstanding’s, and if you have gravel on paths or driveways, consider topping it up so it looks as good as new.
Once again, check for minor repairs such as door handles, hinges on gates, windows, and the front door.
Once the property is ready to show to prospective tenants, having good marketing materials in place is essential. In a digital world, often the first impression people have is online, and when they're viewing lots of properties, making yours stand out frequently begins with the right photos
A good letting agent will guide you in this and will invariably organise the right materials, but no one knows your property like you do. So, it's helpful to make suggestions on key features that are worth showcasing in imagery and written information.
Make sure to invest in professional photography - high-quality images increase click-through rates. You should also consider video tours, which are a very helpful addition for busy London tenants and short lets.
Alongside the aesthetics of the property, it's essential to make sure it is legally compliant and that all health and safety requirements are up to date. Your letting agent should take charge of this, ensuring that they give you a list of what's needed. Some will also be able to organise the necessary items for you as well, depending on your management arrangement.
The required checks and documents include:
Gas Safety Certificate
Furniture regulations
Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR)
Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms
Proof of landlord insurance (this is not a legal requirement but is highly recommended)
Tenancy deposit protection schemes (these will be handled by your letting agent if you have one)
Right to Rent checks in the UK to ensure a tenant has the legal right to live in the UK
Provide fire alarms and extinguishers if the property is a large house in HMO
It's no secret that we're all incredibly busy, and fitting in property viewings isn't always easy, especially in London. By making it as simple as possible for tenants to view your property, you give yourself a competitive edge when it comes to letting. For example, ensure you:
Provide keys to your agent
Are flexible for short notice viewings
Talk to your tenant and explain the process for viewings and that an agent will be in touch to organise access for viewings
Consider virtual viewings, especially for tenants who are relocating from other areas or international renters.
Respond quickly to enquiries - speed matters in a fast-moving London market
Understanding who your ideal renter will influence how you price, what you include in the listing, and how you market your property. Make sure you mention local amenities in the listing and reasons why you love your home, including the location and surrounding area. These points help a potential tenant to envisage living in the area and your specific property. Discussing this with your letting agent will also help them to place your property in front of the right people to maximise the letting opportunity.
For example, it might be best for one, or a combination of the following:
Young professionals
Families
Corporate tenants
Students
Once someone has decided that they want to rent your property and you are happy to accept, you will both want to progress as quickly as possible. Having everything in place to make sure you're ready to move forward is not only polite, but efficient as well. Speed from offer to move-in dates, as well as clear communication, reduces the risk of fall-throughs. Key things to have in place include:
Sign the letting Terms of business before marketing
ID checks
Mortgage lender consent (if applicable)
Referencing requirements
Agreement with the estate agent on best methods and times to communicate around work and personal commitments. Being readily available reduces the risk of missing out on the right tenant who may be looking at several properties at once
Most landlords are busy, and letting a property is a full-time job in itself. Furthermore, compliance requirements, tenant checks, and taking care of the property and tenant relationships once they've moved in is extremely time consuming.
Moving towards a fully-managed service is more important than ever with the introduction of the Renters Rights Act and the additional compliance requirements for Landlords.
Now may be the right time to consider other products including Rent Protection. Being without access to their rental property or the income from their rental property is the worst-case scenario for all landlords. Although this is already a risk, the new Renters Right Act laws may mean it takes longer to regain possession of your property if a tenant fails to pay rent. You can easily protect yourself against this by taking out a Rent Protection product in which Chestertons offers one of the most comprehensive options on the market.
Chestertons is the premier London lettings and estate agency with more than 200 years’ experience and a team of experts offering a range of services from a full-time compliance department to valuations and management, for both long- and short-term lets.