First Impressions are Everything

In order to secure a quality tenant for your property it is important that your property is neat, clean and tidy. A property that does not present well may not appeal to quality tenants who have increasingly high expectations.

Here are some simple yet surprisingly powerful hints that will point you in the right direction:

Repairs: Carry out any repairs to make sure your home is in tip top condition. This applies to anything small that you’ve grown used to living with, like mouldy bathroom grout, leaking washers, dripping taps, broken tiles or chipped paint. A small repair now could save you a bigger problem in the future.

Inclusions: Think about what you will be leaving behind or letting the tenants use and make sure it’s in good working condition. For instance, if your kitchen has space for a dishwasher, it’s usually best to leave it as it can add value. Or if your laundry has a particular shaped space for a built in washing machine you might be better to leave it rather than expect a tenant to buy their own. Please note however that the Landlord will be responsible for ensuring that any inclusions are maintained in good working order during the tenancy.

Garden: Mow the lawns, tidy edges, remove weeds and any rubbish. It is true that it is the responsibility of the tenant to ensure the gardens are maintained, however, to ensure we are maximising your rental income; we need to set the standard.

Clean: Just as you would if you were going sell, a good spring clean of your property both internally and externally will ensure you set the expectation when the tenant vacates the property, items such as:

Carpets;
Curtains and Blinds;
Flyscreens;
Guttering;
Windows & Window frames;
Garbage Bins;
Garage and more

Adding Extra Value: New paint, carpet and light fittings can be an inexpensive but effective way to update a property. Adding heating and cooling like reverse cycle air conditioning can potentially add value to your rental property. Minor updates to the bathroom or kitchen such as new cupboard doors or door handles, new vanity or kitchen appliances can also make a huge difference to the overall presentation of your property. Your property manager or agent can best advise you on your particular situation.

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Preparing your Property for Rent