Make your rental property stand out from the crowd

If you're a buy-to-let investor, finding a reliable long-term tenant is one of your biggest goals. While the team from the CSi Property Group is on hand to find you a great tenant, it's up to you as the homeowner to ensure that your property gets noticed and remembered by would-be tenants. In a nutshell, your property needs to stand out from the crowd.

First things first: Before any prospective tenant sees your home, you need to make sure that it is spotlessly clean. Any carpets should be steam cleaned, the curtains or blinds need to be freshly cleaned and the furniture should be invitingly positioned. 

Easy living in a world where convenience is king

If there's one thing a potential tenant wants - especially if he or she is a millennial - it's convenience. In the midst of a busy way of life, being in control is important to tenants, and there is therefore great appeal in prepaid electricity meters. Having a prepaid meter installed is also beneficial to you as the landlord, as having to bill your tenant monthly for their electricity usage becomes a thing of the past. 

Another convenience that is likely to make your property attractive to tenants is fibre internet. In the era or COVID-19, more and more people are working from home, and require a super-fast and reliable internet connection to get their work done. Thanks to loadshedding, gas stoves have become another increasingly popular feature.

Quick touch-ups on a budget

It may not be the right time for extensive renovations - but equally, a few simple and affordable touch-ups can go a long way towards making your home look appealing to a prospective tenant. The kitchen and bathroom are the areas to focus on, as these changes will be the ones most noticed by your future tenant. If the cupboards in your kitchen are looking a little tired, paint them or consider replacing the doors - or even just the door handles. Small touches like new light switches and window coverings can make a world of difference to the way a would-be tenant sees their future kitchen. 

When it comes to the bathroom, putting in a brand new shower may be out of your price range - but making sure the grout in the existing shower is sparkling clean is not. As is the case in the kitchen, updating small fixtures in the bathroom can make a bigger difference than you might think. New light switches, plugs and towel rails can breathe new life into your bathroom. 

A coat of neutral-coloured paint throughout your home will create a fantastic first impression and help your future tenant imagine their own furniture and décor filling your space. Avoid having your property seen to be an empty shell - even if there are no tenants at the present time and no furniture in the house. Small touches like temporarily putting up curtains can help your future tenant envisage him or herself living in this space.

Don't forget the exterior of your home

If your property has a garden or courtyard, this will also need to show off its prettiest side. Before would-be tenants come to view the property, make sure that any weeds and debris have been removed from your outside space and that the lawn has been mowed. If you have an outdoor entertainment area, ensure that it is tidy and looks welcoming. You want your potential tenant to be able to imagine the long afternoons and evenings they will spend there with family and friends.

If you're looking for an ideal tenant, the CSi Property Group will find them for you. Over and above this, we will advise you on anything you can do to make your property one that will quickly attract the ideal tenant. Contact us today for more information.