Today I’m sharing some tips to help you prepare your property for rental. Renting out your property can be a great way to earn some passive income and generate extra cash. However, there are a few things you need to consider before putting your property on the rental market.

So read on for a breakdown of things to do when you prepare your property for rental.

Decide on a Monthly Cost

One of the first steps when you prepare your property for rental is deciding on how much you are going to charge prospective tenants each month. Try to get estimates from a few different sources to determine how much you should be asking. It is also a good idea to research similar properties in your area to get an idea of what they are being offered for, as well as familiarising yourself with renters rights. 

Once you have an idea of the kind of price you should be looking for, it is up to you to determine the exact figure. If you go with something on the lower end, you may see your property snapped up more quickly but with a loss of potential earnings. There is a balance to be found, so take some time to determine what works best for you.

Make Any Repairs or Upgrades To Prepare Your Property for Rental

It goes without saying that any structural repairs that may need to be made to your property should be carried out when you prepare your property for rental. This also goes for any smaller repairs such as faulty locks or poorly hung doors – these should be sorted before any tenants move in. You should also look into the boiler and central heating systems and determine if they are due for a replacement.

Now is also the time to make any renovations or upgrades to the property. Small things such as a new coat of paint or fresh curtains can completely change the look of a property and make it much more appealing. So it’s worth doing as you prepare your property for rental.

By renovating and modernising your property, you will also be able to charge more, which in turn will help the renovations pay for themselves more quickly. Kitchen and bathroom renovations have been shown to provide the greatest return on investment, so consider looking into this work before listing your property.

Obtain All Necessary Certifications

There are a few certifications that you need to obtain before your property can be rented out. An Energy Performance Certificate should be obtained, which grades the energy efficiency of your property and gives it a band from A – G. Further to this, you will need to get a gas safety certificate to ensure all gas appliances are in safe, working order. My friend recently did a quick google search for Gas safety certificate Bristol to find the right team for the job.

Decide How You Want to Manage the Property

As you prepare your property for rental, it is important to decide if you want to manage your property directly or whether you would prefer to use a lettings agent or an eXp referral agent. Managing the property directly will allow you to form a closer relationship with your tenants and be more involved in the upkeep and resolution of issues with the property. However, it is likely to be more work as you will be your tenants’ point of contact for any issues or concerns.

Using a lettings agent will remove a lot of the hassle, as your tenants will go to the agent with any problems or concerns. It will still be up to you to resolve any issues or make repairs, but you are not the direct point of contact. The downside of using an agent is that this will incur fees that can be quite expensive. Determine what level of responsibility you are comfortable with and what will work best for you.

Give the Property a Deep Clean

Before putting your property on the market, it is important to make sure it is thoroughly cleaned. Not only would you not want tenants to move into a dirty property but by ensuring everything is as clean as possible – including your appliances, you make your property much more desirable.

Prospective tenants are far more likely to want to move into a well-maintained, clean property and you will have a much easier time finding someone to fill your property if it is sparkling and fresh when viewings are taking place.

Declutter and Remove Personal Items

As with cleaning, it is important to declutter as much as possible before prospective tenants view your property. The less clutter you have in the rooms, the larger and more open the whole space will feel. This will help to make your property more desirable and hopefully lead to it coming off the market nice and quickly. This is one of the most important tips as you prepare your property for rental.

Likewise, remove any personal items from the property before anyone looks around. Although this may have once been your family home, now you are hoping to show someone else that it could be theirs. Removing personal items such as family photos or trophies and certificates, will make it easier for prospective renters to picture themselves in the property.

Don’t Forget the Garden

The outside space sets the tone for your property. Ensure that any outside space is neat and well-maintained when you prepare your property for rental. The front of your property will give prospective tenants their first impression, so make sure any shrubs or grass are trimmed and tidy, the driveway and paths are weeded, and the fence and gate are in good condition.

Consider adding a lick of paint to your fence, front door, or garage door to brighten up the front of your property. You only get one chance to make a first impression, make sure it’s a good one! If there is space at the back of the property, again make sure it is clean and neat. Ensure the lawn is in good repair and plant grass seed if needed.

Adding a few evergreen plants and flowers to your borders can make the garden feel colourful and alive. Plus, evergreens will make sure there is some greenery even in the winter. Like any stonework at the front of the house, patios or decking should be cleaned and weeded when you prepare your property for rental.

Hopefully, this has given you an idea of the things you need to consider before listing your property for rental. Although there are plenty of things that need to be done, if you are organised and proactive you will have everything up to scratch in no time!

Finally, let me know in the comments if you have any other tips to help prepare your property for rental.