Tips for Landlords connecting with prospective tenants
With life returning to something closer to normal, demand for property is back on the rise. This follows a year defined by challenges for the property sector, affecting both residential and commercial landlords.
Exclusive data from Gumtree has found that demand for property fell by as much as 36 percent in the first quarter of last year. Now, however, the rental market is at its highest level of activity since 2016, meaning that this year could be an ideal time for landlords to find their next perfect tenant.
The job market is improving, students are returning to university towns and life is returning to city centres. While this presents an opportunity to landlords, first impressions are still important.
Making sure that your online listing gives the best possible impression of your property is vital and will allow any future tenant to understand what makes it stand out from the rest.
Gumtree’s top tips for making your property a Good Find:
Keep your property description clear and catchy:
A place to live is one of the most important (and expensive) investments that a person will ever make. Find out what makes your property truly unique and include this as prominently as possible online.
As an example, some listings on Gumtree will often include proximity to the nearest train station in the headline description. This sets the property apart from others and generates immediate interest.
Photographs are vital:
A property might be fantastic, spacious and airy, but bad photographs can often make it seem exactly the opposite. You don’t necessarily have to invest in a professional photographer, but it will pay dividends to use a high-quality camera when capturing your property if possible.
Remember to choose a bright, clear day too, particularly for external photographs.
Declutter, declutter, declutter:
If you’ve been successful in the first two steps, now is the time to prepare for viewings. One of the most important things is making sure the house is tidy and clean when potential tenants visit.
Make sure surfaces are clear and any unnecessary clutter is tidied away into storage.
Be open and honest with questions:
Remember, your tenants are likely planning on living in your property for months, even years, so it’s important that you are open to questions. If you’re asked about shopping amenities and your property is a few miles from the nearest supermarket, it’s okay to be transparent.
Always keep in mind that there is a reason they have made the time to visit your property. It might also be helpful to have copies of Gas Safe Certificates, for example, or the tenancy deposit scheme you use (and any other property specific information) to hand in to help serious tenants move quickly.
Familiarise yourself with Government guidance:
Landlords have obligations and responsibilities when renting out a property, and these can differ across England, Scotland and Wales. The British Landlord Association website is an extremely helpful resource.
The Government website will also point you to guidance on issues like deposit protection schemes and adhering to process when evicting tenants.
All the above advice will help you make your property a Good Find for a prospective tenant.
Gumtree has been helping landlords connect with tenants for over 20 years, so if you would like more information about us, visit our Lifestyle Hub at Gumtree.
Author: Hugh Hurley (Chief Commercial Officer, Gumtree UK)
Date: 13th of October 2021
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