Most landlords wish for a stable, preferably long-term, relationship with their tenants. However, you cannot expect to have a harmonious and lucrative relation if you don’t offer anything in return. When they come to take a look at the rental, they don’t want to find a place in dire need of repair but a cosy nest they can live in. With that in mind, here are some tips on how to make your rental more appealing to the prospective tenants.
Obtain home insurance
Your rental is your source of income, so naturally, you wish for it and your belongings to be safe and from a tenants’ point of view, it shows that you are professional and thorough. Also, they would be at peace knowing that, in case something unexpected happens, they don’t have to worry about being blamed or expected to pay for items that got destroyed. Naturally, you need to do detailed research into different insurance options since you would want it to cover as much as possible – some even cover up to 12 months of rent if the property isn’t habitable after some disaster. Obtaining a comprehensive insurance policy is a practical move both in terms of security and the impression you will leave on your potential tenants.
Invest in practical furniture
One of the elements that tenants appreciate in any home is functional and comfortable furniture. It often happens that they need to sleep on old sofas so if you have room for a proper bed, that will definitely pique their interest. If you don’t have enough space, you can purchase a pull-out sofa but make sure to test it so you are certain that one can get a good night’s sleep on it. As for the rest of the furniture, it depends on the size of the property and your budget. However, avoid overstuffing the rental because it will seem smaller and cramped. Also, you might be surprised by the popularity of sustainable furniture, so for instance by opting for a set of chairs made from bamboo, you will attract millennials who make up a big portion of current tenants and who are well-known environmentalists.
Provide quality appliances
Perhaps the most decisive elements in the decision-making process of a tenant are quality appliances. Most will not even mind that much if the place is a bit smaller than they searched for initially as long as the appliances they use daily work properly. Provide them with a stove and the fridge for the kitchen so they can prepare and store food and feel more at home and also consider purchasing a washing machine. Since many rentals don’t have it, opting for a quality washing machine will give you an advantage from the tenants’ perspective. In general, if you can afford it, you may invest in energy-efficient appliances which is an excellent solution for decreasing the energy bills in the future.
Improve the curb appeal
Although not even a lavish exterior guarantees that the interior is in a good state, it still leaves a strong first impression with tenants. If the lawn is messy, tend to the grass and any bushes and trees and clear out the driveway. Another thing to consider is the front doors – sturdy front doors in combination with windows with functional locks give out the notion of safety and are something which will be highly valued by any tenant. If the current doors are in a state of repair, you need to take care of them immediately since the beauty of the interior will fade if they feel unprotected. Also, if your rental is a house, you can consider adding external motion sensor lights so that any unwanted guests are warded off due to this extra layer of security.
Liven it up with some colour
Chipped paint is not something that tenants will think of as charming, so fixing such issues is essential for a long-term relationship with tenants. Also, adding a splash of colour can be a good idea to change the atmosphere of the rental. Naturally, you needn’t go too wild because dark purple walls might not be to everybody’s liking. What you can do is paint the rental in some neutral colours to refresh it and make it appear more spacious and brighter and then you can add a few walls in some colour that pops, such as blue or yellow. You can achieve the same effect with furniture, so white walls would go splendidly with a turquoise armchair.
Conclusion
In the world of real estate, safety comes first. Only once you take care of that, you can tend to functionality and aesthetic appeal to attract reliable long-term tenants.
