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Showing Your Property to Tenants - Top Tips
If you live nearby and have the time, you can show your rental property to prospective tenants. Alternatively, if the property is still tenanted, you can ask your current tenant to show prospective tenants around. This is where being a good landlord will really come in; your current tenant will be likely to say ‘the landlord is great’ to the viewer and this goes a long way in attracting tenants. Regardless of who shows the property, here are some general tips to help maximise your rent and find a good quality tenant quickly. Pick and choose tips relevant to your particular situation!
1. Never forget the impact of ‘Curb Appeal’. Your property needs to entice and excite a potential tenant, drawing them in and making them want to see more. What they don’t want to see is dead plants and dirty windows! Remember they must be able to imagine themselves living in the property. If the property is empty, make sure it is scrupulously clean. If it is tenanted, ask your current tenant to try and leave it in a tidy condition. If your rental property is in a block of flats with communal areas then clear away old mail and vacuum the stairs and / or hallway.
2. Once a potential tenant is inside the magic needs to continue. Even if the property is tenanted, the potential tenant needs to get the feeling that regardless of how tidy the current tenant keeps the property, underneath is a fine place to live - they need to feel that your property is well maintained.
3. A neutral colour scheme allows people to imagine their own belongings in the property. It offends no-one and reduces the chance of a potential tenant walking away due to inappropriate furnishing or colour schemes.
4. If possible, air the property thoroughly before a viewing. If it is summer this will give a lovely fresh smell. If it is a bit chilly outside a well aired house will heat up in a much cosier way once the heating comes on than one full of stale air.
5. Try and ensure that furniture is in the position originally intended. Many tenants will move a desk into another room, put two beds in one room and generally move furniture around, or even dissemble a piece of furniture to make way for another they have brought to the property. This may well not be an issue for a prospective tenant, but in the interests of getting the maximum rental figure quickly, it is best to make sure each room looks as it was intended.
6. Flowers, candles and the smell of fresh coffee may sound like clichés but can seriously add to the feeling of homeliness and create a wonderful atmosphere.
7. Be ready to answer questions. Where is the local pub/restaurant/library? What are the local schools like? Not everyone will research fully before coming to see your property.
8. Be friendly and welcoming, give the viewer time to look around, don’t crowd them or bombard them with questions. They are your customer!
9. Know your competition – What have other properties in your road rented for? What is the highest price? What does your property have that others doesn't?
10. Pitch your property at the right price. Use our clever web links to help research properly. Make sure you read the ‘How to let your property’ section in our Questions & Answers section. When writing your property description be sure to use key words and phrases that might be used by a tenant searching on a property search engine, but remember, you should always be factual in writing your advert.
11. The tenant may like the property so much that they have made up their mind without having to go away and think about it. So, be prepared to take a deposit from the prospective tenant there and then. Of course, it’s important that you feel comfortable letting to the tenant. If you are worried by the calibre of the tenant, simply tell them you will be in touch.
Updated: 29 Nov 2008
