Landlord Upgrades That Attract Better Tenants
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Home Improvement and DIY Blog
Bedford’s rental market has always been competitive, but tenants have gotten pickier. With more options out there, renters don’t just want somewhere to sleep. They desire a location that functions correctly and doesn’t begin to fail after 6 months. It’s also important in shared spaces like this, where a pleasant and clean environment fosters a sense of comfort that can help individuals feel at ease during new introductions.
For landlords, the days of slapping on magnolia paint and laying fresh carpet are pretty much done. You don’t need a huge budget to make a real difference, though. The biggest gains usually come from the rooms tenants judge first, so start with the kitchen and bathroom.
Start Where Tenants Look First
The rooms that sell a let are the kitchens and bathrooms. This is something that everybody is aware of, but it is easy to forget how quickly a tired kitchen can turn someone off. And you don’t have to take the whole thing apart. When worktops are worn and you fit a good tap, a difference is made immediately. A new splashback will also make the room look different, but for a much more reasonable price than thousands!
The same goes for bathrooms. An old suite, with dirty and rancid sealant, carries a clear message. The showerhead and faucet can both be easily swapped and resealed to give it a fresh look. The room will be better thought out if the right heated towel rail is utilized with a sponsorship deal. This will be seen and remembered at viewings and renewal time. Especially when sharing a space with a stranger, the little details can make all the difference when it comes to the mood of a room, which makes it a more comfortable space for a casual chat or a first date.
Walls That Don’t Need Constant Touch-Ups
One of the biggest headaches between tenancies is repainting and patching walls. Kitchens and bathrooms cop the worst of it because moisture gets everywhere. Hygienic PVC wall cladding from UK retailers like Simply Cladding can work well in rental bathrooms and kitchens because it wipes clean and doesn’t need regrouting or repainting. Once it’s fitted, it’ll stay looking decent for years, which saves money and time every changeover.
It also gives the room a cleaner, more modern look compared to old tiles or painted plasterboard. For bathrooms and kitchen splash zones, it’s a proper upgrade that tenants will appreciate, and landlords will benefit from long after the install.
Bedrooms That Work Better for Tenants
When building up a rental property, landlords tend to avoid bedrooms, but this is not a good idea. Quality floors can make a world of difference. Vinyl plank or laminate is a much simpler material to maintain and is durable enough to last for years and years. Another one is built-in storage! A basic fitted wardrobe will make for a more efficient bedroom – and renters won’t be making the room more cluttered with stand-up storage.
Good lighting is also important. When there’s only one exposed pendant bulb in the middle of the ceiling, it chills and makes any room feel cold and unwelcoming. A dimmer switch or two lights on the wall will be very inexpensive, but will make a world of difference.
Communal Areas and First Impressions
The shared hallway is the first room tenants will see when they get home if renting flats or HMOs. The walls are scuffed, the letterboxes are broken, the lighting is not working, and the flooring is worn and broken, which doesn’t give a good impression of good management. The initial impression is set with a clean, bright entrance area, a solid front door, and an intercom system. It lets tenants know that you really care about the building, and that’s a huge part of retaining good tenants.
It is the landlords who think of the little things who keep their properties occupied. The boiler works, the windows don’t need a draught, there are USB sockets at the bed, and good storage. It might not be a big deal, but it all adds up. Tenants communicate with one another and leave reviews, which can help establish a good reputation over time. A truly comfortable, easy-to-maintain property will attract the right tenant, who will treat it the same way. A clean, comfortable setting can also help to make shared experiences less stressful and contribute to a first impression.
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