How landlords can maximise the appeal of their property

Private letting can be a competitive space, but maximising the appeal of your house or flat isn’t just about finding a tenant, it’s about finding the right tenant for your property - one you can hope to have a good relationship with for as long as it suits both parties.

Importantly, you also want to be able to get the best rental value for your property from the start of a new tenancy, to make sure you are both happy with the arrangement, and ensuring you comply with the rules around rent increases going forward.

From creating spaces that appeal to a variety of people to straddling the line between making a property welcoming and easy to maintain, in this article, we look at some of the top things landlords can do to maximise the appeal of their property and find tenants who will be happy in their new home.

First impressions: the value of curb appeal

Curb appeal has real value, contributing to higher rental rates, less time on the market, and greater tenant satisfaction. Key things that contribute to great first impressions include:

● If you have a front garden or an outside space, make sure it's well-maintained and attractive, but easy to look after. That might include a neatly trimmed lawn, colourful flower beds, healthy shrubs or weed-free pathways.

● Fix any cracks in pathways, driveways, or walls, to ensure they're free of potential hazards.

● Make sure the front of the property is clean and freshly painted. That might mean pressure washing walls and stone pathways, as well as painting or treating doors, windows, and fences.

● Make sure the entry ways are secure, including good lighting and/or security lights.

● Pay attention to the front door, making sure it's clean, freshly painted, has good quality hardware in place, and has clear signage for the house name or number. A solid post box is also a good idea.

● Make the entry way as welcoming and appealing as possible, perhaps with plants or seating to enhance it if relevant.

Fresh but welcoming interiors

Decorating the interior space of a rental property is a fine balance between being neutral enough that it allows people to make it feel like their own home, but also welcoming enough that they can see themselves living there.

● Choose warm, neutral paint colours for the walls and woodwork, keeping it simple without being clinical.

● Opt for a hard-wearing paint that's easy to touch up, can be wiped clean, and withstands scuff marks more easily.

● Choose hard-wearing flooring options such as heavy duty vinyl, tiles or stone. Modern materials mean that you can be both cost-effective and stylish, with plenty of eco-friendly Lino options, for example, as well as hard-wearing carpets including stain-resistant options.

● Ensuring surfaces are in good condition helps to make a home feel welcoming. For example, make sure kitchen and bathroom surfaces are in good shape, and that light switches and door handles are clean, scratch-free, and up-to-date.

● Checking that taps are free of hard water build up, are working effectively, and also appear shiny and well cared for gives a good impression.

● Good lighting makes a huge difference, with warm bulbs, recessed lighting where possible, or well-positioned lamps (if letting furnished) to support a pleasant ambience.

Modern kitchens and bathrooms

Kitchens and bathrooms speak volumes, with tenants paying particular attention to clean, modern spaces and appliances. Checking for wear and tear and replacing items where necessary is a good way to not only make the property look its best, but also to give an impression of a landlord who cares about the tenant and the house or flat.

● Upgrade countertops where necessary, with a focus on quality appearance using hard-wearing materials like granite or laminate.

● Clean cabinets inside and out, and refinish where necessary.

● Ensure taps, sinks, baths and showers are in good condition, free from limescale, mould, and mineral deposits.

● Make sure there are plenty of conveniently placed power sockets.

● Pay careful attention to the oven and stove top to make sure they're clean. It may be necessary to replace oven trays from time to time.

● Consider including energy-efficient appliances such as dishwaters and washing machines.

● Add helpful storage solutions and shelving where possible, without creating a sense of clutter.

Energy efficiency and sustainability

Energy efficiency in a property is not just attractive to sustainably minded tenants, but it's also helpful for supporting a more-effective cost of living. You can do lots of things to improve the energy efficiency of your home. Simple things include:

● Checking that doors and windows are properly fitted to avoid drafts.

● Replacing single-glazed windows with double glazing.

● Replacing any traditional light bulbs in fitted light fixtures with energy-efficient LEDs.

● Install smart metres.

● Use Zero VOC and low VOC paint to decorate.

● When the time comes, upgrade your boiler to one that's more efficient, or you could even opt for a heat pump or biomass boiler.

● Add loft insulation.

Read more about how to improve the energy efficiency of your home - here

Flexible spaces and furnishings

Help create a space that different types of tenants can see themselves living in, whether they have a family, live with a friend, are on their own, and so forth, by creating a flexible approach to the property. That might mean suggesting multi-use spaces that include an office for working from home, or being open to different letting options.

● Consider whether to let your property fully furnished, part-furnished, or unfurnished.

● For furnished lets, keep it attractive but don't make it too personal.

● For furnished lets, prioritise modular or multifunctional furniture such as stackable storage, foldable desks, sofa beds, and expandable dining tables.

● For open-plan living spaces, consider lightweight room dividers to create different zones for living and dining.

Tech savvy and Internet ready

From home working to entertainment and smart home technology, good Wi-Fi is one of modern life's must-haves, so making sure your property is Internet-ready is essential.

● Check that the property has the necessary infrastructure to support good Wi-Fi, from phone lines to fibre connections.

● Make sure the telephone socket is in a convenient place within the property, unobstructed and non-intrusive.

● If there is a problem with Internet access at the property, liaise with different providers to find the best solution,

● You may want to consider offering broadband as part of the rental package as an added incentive.

● Include USB outlets in your sockets.

● You may also wish to consider adding smart home features like video doorbells and smart locks.

Safety and compliance

Safety is a number one priority in any home, and there are clear rules and regulations around safety compliance when it comes to renting a property. However, it's also ethically in everyone's interests to make sure a property is safe and secure. Some of the following are essential, while others are recommendations to support a positive relationship with tenants:

● Gas equipment must be safely installed and maintained by a Gas Safe registered engineer.

● You must have a registered engineer do an annual gas safety check on each appliance and flue.

● You must provide a copy of the Gas Safety Certificates to the letting agent.

● Check the electrical system is safe, including sockets and light fittings.

● All appliances you supply must be safe, including cookers and kettles.

● You need to provide a smoke alarm on each storey and a carbon monoxide alarm in any room with a solid fuel burning appliance.

● Tenants must have access to escape routes at all times in case of fire.

● Any furniture and furnishings supplied must be fire safe.

● You should provide fire alarms and extinguishers if the property is a large house in multiple occupation (HMO).

● We also recommend having secure locking systems in place on the property's doors and windows.

Pet-friendly but not pet-exclusive

Under the impending Renters’ Rights Bill, landlords cannot unreasonably prevent tenants from having a pet in their home if they request it. However, landlords can ask tenants to have insurance in place to cover any pet-related damage. Establishing an approach that's welcoming but clear when it comes to pets, helps everyone know where they stand and can make responsible pet owners feel welcome.

● Consider including pet-friendly flooring such as non-slip tiles and hard surfaces like vinyl.

● If you have outdoor spaces, make sure they are securely fenced off to prevent pets from escaping easily, and don't include any plants that might be poisonous to animals.

● Make sure there’s easy access to outside spaces if possible.

● Set out a clear policy regarding pets. For example, whether you expect the tenant to have insurance in place to cover any damages, or if you would like a reference from a previous landlord who has experience of the tenant and their pet.

● If you're letting your property furnished, consider pet-friendly finishes such as scratch- and stain-resistant fabrics and durable finishes.

Optimising storage space

A house with great storage space is extremely appealing to tenants, so any way you can help create a clutter-free home is a real bonus. Some of this will depend on whether you're letting furnished or unfurnished, but there's also a lot you can do with fixed features. Ideas include:

● For furnished spaces consider under-bed storage, ottomans with storage, mirrors that double as cabinets, or dining tables with built-in compartments.

● In terms of fixed options, you might include floor-to-ceiling shelving, wall-mounted shelves, and cupboards under the stairs.

● If you have an outside space, consider whether there's an opportunity to add additional storage such as sheds or garden boxes.

Create a desirable listing

Marketing is everything. It's important to present your property truthfully while also to really showcase it at its best. This is something that a good letting agent will be able to support you on. However, key details should include:

● Professional photography that takes you on a journey through the property and highlights any special features.

● A detailed and engaging written description that accurately describes each space and what the property includes.

● A special focus on any desirable features such as a garden, balcony, and off-street parking.

● Elaborate on the surrounding area including nearby transport links, schools, parks, and shops.

How Chestertons can help

Chestertons is the premier London lettings and estate agency with more than 200 years’ experience in the property market and a team of experts offering a range of services that not only include buying, selling, and letting property, but span consultancy and research, asset valuation, financial support and more.

Our ARLA-qualified lettings agents are not only experts in each of their local markets, but they are always up-to-date with changes in legislation that could affect landlords and tenants. Our lettings team is supported by a full-time compliance department, which provides continuous help in making sure all landlords are compliant and all tenants are properly protected.

We also help you get your property ready for the lettings market, from recommendations and an introduction to our specialist refurbishment team where necessary, to marketing, and property management so you can maximise your return on investment without having to be involved in the day-to-day handling of the property and its tenancy arrangements.

If you would like to find out more about working with Chestertons, including how we can help you make the most of your rental property, contact your local letting agent at any time.

Contact your local Chestertons letting agent - here