ARE YOU USING THE EASTER BANK HOLIDAY TO GET YOUR PROPERTY READY TO RENT OUT?
Tips for getting your property tenant ready
Bank holidays are a great time to do all the little jobs you've been putting off! If you are currently thinking of renting your property and are doing those last minute improvements here are a few tips that we hope will help....
- KEEP IT SIMPLE - The less there is to go wrong the more cost effective it will be for you as a landlord.
- MAGNOLIA IS NOT YOUR FRIEND - There are so many shades of this colour that patch painting in-between tenancies can be a nightmare, white is best.
- MAKE SURE THE EXTERNAL WOODWORK IS SOUND - IF (and that's a big if) we have some good weather, make sure that the external paintwork is looking good, sanding, filling and repainting where necessary. Gaps can be a nightmare for letting in flying and crawling tenants that are costly to evict!
- MAKE SURE EVERYTHING IS SOUND - Take the time to check door handles, hinges etc replacing screws where necessary.
- RE SEAL - Re-seal behind sinks, baths and shower enclosures, failing seals are the main cause of leaks coming through ceilings.
- MINIMISE THE NEED FOR GARDENING - Where possible put down patios and gravelled areas, the less lawn there is to mow and flower beds to maintain the less chance there is of it becoming overgrown regularly. Cut those hedges right back.
- CHECK THE GUTTERS - Make sure the gutters are free of leaves and dirt, this can cause damp patches if they get clogged up.
- INSULATION - Get in the loft and check the insulation, is there enough? is there too much? damp patches in rooms can be caused by there not being enough insulation around the edged of the roof void. Too much can cause a build up of condensation.
- REPLACE BULBS - Make sure all the bulbs are working, we expect tenants to leave it as they found it and it can be quite costly to have to replace them at the start of every tenancy. If they are all working from the off you won't have to do it again.
- SMOKE ALARMS - You will need a smoke alarm for every floor, if you have them already check them to see if the batteries need replacing. This is a legal requirement.
- OPERATING MANUALS - Whilst you have a bit of time, dig out the operating manuals for any appliances, if these cannot be found, they can be down loaded from the internet.
If you would like some information and advice regarding letting your property, give Sal a call on 01748 834373