As shortages of available rental stock begin to ease, it’s more important than ever for landlords to present their properties in the best possible condition if they want to attract the widest pool of tenants and achieve the strongest outcome. 

We’re often asked by landlords what steps they can take to maximise rental potential. Depending on budget and timescales, here are my top tips for upgrades and refreshes that will help a property stand out from the rest.

• Upgrading windows: One of the first features that an applicant will notice on arriving or setting foot in a property is whether the windows are single, double or triple glazed. Increasingly conscious of energy efficiency, tenants will often want double, or ideally, triple glazing and may opt not to take a tenancy which doesn’t tick this all-important box. While installing new windows can come with a heftier price tag, we are seeing a rising number of landlords choosing to invest in new windows in order to appeal to tenants’ expectations.  
• Replacing kitchens and bathrooms: Transforming a kitchen or bathroom can have a big impact on a property’s desirability, even helping to seal the deal in some cases. This could mean a fully new fit-out, but replacing cupboard doors, fixtures and fittings which instantly refresh the space can also be a sensible move. We recently let a property where the landlord had acted on tenant feedback and decided to put in a new kitchen and bathroom, subsequently achieving a record price for the road.
• Dressing to impress: Home staging continues to be a popular approach for landlords wanting to showcase the lifestyle their property could offer, allowing potential tenants to see how it could work for them. Whether staging is a project a landlord embarks on themself or one tackled with the help of an expert, dressing a home can be beneficial in a number of ways and, importantly, doesn’t need to involve every room. Generally landlords will focus on a few key spaces such as the kitchen, living room and principal bedroom, taking the view that it’s a sensible investment that will ultimately help secure a tenancy that could last several years. 

However, committing to upgrading and updating a rental property doesn’t always need to involve large-scale works; there are also a number of quicker fixes, changes or on-the-day set-ups that can still have maximum impact.

• Re-painting: This is all about selling the lifestyle and creating an inviting space rather than simply touching up worn areas. I’d always advise a landlord to re-paint throughout every couple of years, particularly after a longer-term tenancy where naturally there will have been wear and tear. Freshly painted walls can go a long way and when it comes to tones and shades, my recommendation is to stick to neutral palettes that will be the perfect backdrop for brighter accessories and furniture pieces.
• Dressed CGIs: It doesn’t always make sense for a landlord to dress the property itself, in which case dressed CGIs can be a great alternative. Most people’s search will begin online and images of an attractively furnished home will immediately pique their interest. Often costing upwards of £40 a photo, this can be a worthwhile consideration for those with an unfurnished property looking to get an edge on others on the market and allow potential tenants to see the space for what it could be. We’ve seen a number of landlords take this route to great effect, from one bedroom flats to five bedroom family homes.
• Setting a home up for success: The enquiry has been made and the viewing booked in – the next stage is ensuring that the scene is set to encourage viewers that this is the home for them. Beyond clearing entrances of post and clutter, making sure the heating is on – especially during the winter or early spring – is key. You want to ensure people feel comfortable from the minute they enter. Scenting the home with a diffuser, some nicely placed accessories and dressed beds can also be easy but essential wins.

Further information

Contact Luke Hull