How to prepare your property for tenants
Preparing a house for rental may feel daunting, but there’s no need to worry. We’ve written up a list of preparation tips which will have your property fit for rental before you know it…
Get keys cut
Everyone who needs access to the house or apartment will require their own key. With that in mind, get enough spares cut for each tenant to have one. If you are using a letting agent, make sure they have a key and keep a spare set for yourself.
Prep kitchens and bathrooms
Kitchens and bathrooms have a significant impact on the popularity of houses and apartments. If you’re preparing a house to rent, you'll want to entice a broad range of would-be renters. Make sure the kitchen and bathroom(s) are looking their best.
Recently installed or carefully cleaned facilities may be more attractive. They could also warrant a higher rent. Not only that, professionally fitted kitchens and bathrooms can help to increase the overall value of the property.
Make the house feel welcoming
Tenants will want to feel at home in your property as quickly as possible. To help them along, consider adding soft furnishings like curtains, throws and cushions that’ll help to make the space feel cosy. Think about cleaning or replacing lampshades too.
Make sure a Furniture and Furnishings Fire Safety Regulations label is present on all furniture.
Keep certificates up to date
Provide your new tenant with:
- a Gas Safety Certificate
- an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
- an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR)
- a HETAS Certificate (if the property has a fireplace or heating appliance that tenants will use)
Set up annual servicing
Make sure any gas appliances are maintained and kept in good condition. This will include scheduling an annual boiler service.
You should also get electricals tested and consider making it an annual event.
Test alarms
Just like you would at home, you must make sure that the property is fitted with working fire alarms which are tested routinely. Batteries should be replaced regularly. There must be a smoke alarm present on every floor.
It’s also important to have a working carbon monoxide alarm.
If your property has a security system, have it serviced regularly.
Start cleaning
A house that’s due to be put up for rent needs a thorough clean.
You could bring in cleaners or do it yourself; either way, every nook and cranny should be spotless.
Don’t forget about carpets – if they’re in good nick but just a little dirty, get them professionally cleaned. If they’re worn or damaged, replace where necessary.
Giving your tenant a lovely clean home may help to encourage them to take better care of your property.
Create an inventory
Make a catalogue which details the condition of the property at the start of the tenancy. This will help limit the risk of damage to property and contents. Make sure to take photographs and note down anything that’s missing or not working.
Do a walk-through of every room and check that things like lights, appliances and electrical goods are all in working order. Send the inventory to your tenant when you’re done so that they can check it and make any necessary queries before moving day.
Look after your appliances
Whether your tenant is aiming for a Michelin star or an empty washing basket, a well-equipped kitchen is a must. As a landlord, you should make sure there’s a working oven, hob, fridge freezer and washing machine.
It may be wise to plan for covering the cost of any future repairs. Consider taking out or extending warranties on your white goods.
Leave instructions on how to use each appliance in the house.
Prep the garden
If you’re lucky enough to be letting out a property with green space, put your gardening gloves on and tidy up any rubbish. Get rid of any build ups of leaves, cut the grass, and fix any loose or broken fence panels. Doing so can make the garden an attractive feature to prospective tenants.
Neutralise your décor
Interior design comes down to personal taste. That’s why, if you’re freshening up the space, it’s a good idea to depersonalise the house.
Instead of opting for bright, bold colours that may not be to a tenant’s liking, choose neutral shades such as grey, white, and cream. This will make your property more appealing to a wider pool of tenants.
If you lived in the house previously…
Some landlords will convert their own home into a rental property before moving to a new place. If you have been a resident at the address yourself, make sure to:
- Have your mail redirected
- De-personalise the space
- Transfer utility bills to the new tenant
- Arrange for council tax to be paid by the tenant
Contact your mortgage and insurance companies
If the property is changing from a home to a rental, you’ll need to speak to your mortgage and insurance companies. Make them aware that you’ll no longer be living in the property and tell them that it’s being let out to someone else.
It may be that you need to switch your home insurance policy to a Landlord Insurance policy, doing so helps to cover losses due to tenant negligence.
Carry out tenant screening
Choosing a tenant is about far more than personality. You or your letting agent will need to carry out a vetting process before taking them on. That will include things like:
- Credit checks
- ID checks
- Proof of residency
- References
Create an information pack for your new tenant
Start by drawing up a tenancy agreement which sets out the conditions of tenancy and make sure it’s signed. You might also like to provide a handbook which sets out any rules or expectations.
Copies of instruction manuals or details of annual maintenance could also be useful.
Carry out any repairs
Do all you can to make sure the property is in a good state of repair before your tenant moves in. That may include fixing or replacing a damaged roof, switching out cracked gutters, or repairing a hazardous driveway.
You’ll also want to check for any plumbing issues, such as dripping taps or leaky pipes.
The last thing you want is for your tenant to report a plumbing or electrical problem soon after moving in. So, make sure to bring in the professionals who can check that all is in working order before you hand over the keys.
Consider a deposit protection scheme
Think about asking the tenant to pay a security deposit. You can place it in a government-approved Tenancy Deposit Protection (TDP) scheme.
Consider Landlord Insurance
Being a landlord is a commitment that comes with responsibilities and risks. Want to make sure your property is protected? Consider taking out Landlord Insurance to give yourself added peace of mind.
Before your tenants move in…
Ahead of the moving van arriving, you or your letting agent will need to:
- Take meter readings and provide them to your tenants
- Check, agree and sign the inventory with tenants
- Show tenants how to use equipment such as locks and alarms
- Explain how to use any safety equipment such as fire blankets and extinguishers
- Provide tenants with emergency contact details
- Answer any questions your tenant may have
- Hand over their keys