Greenaway Residential Letting Agents always believe that to get the best price and reduce void periods and to maximise the rental yield, the property must be presented in the best possible condition.
Do you want to get the people at the best price? Then, get military! No need to stand to attention. But you do need to pay attention to these four things:
Preparation, Presentation, Legislation and finally - Deliberation.
Preparation
Think carefully about the exact date you want your property to be let. In the area around Gatwick Airport the airline recruitment seasons can be an opportunity to achieve a more bullish rent. Start your search for tenants 6-8 weeks before that date is recommended. This allows us to advertise the property effectively which will in turn means finding and selecting the very best tenants. Sometimes this may be the first person who walks in the door. But then, sometimes, it's the last.
The local letting market moves very swiftly, tenants expect to be able to view at short notice. So, if you're flexible about your move date, get ready to move at any time.
Calculate costs carefully. You will have gas safety regulations to pay for, inventories, possibly EPC (energy performance certificates) and of course agency commission.
If you have current tenants, don't forget to let them know they will be receiving calls from us requesting permission for viewings.
Presentation
The look, feel and the smell of a place can make people look no further. Or look for somewhere else. If that vacuum has been lying dormant, turn the radio on and re-introduce yourself to that carpet underneath those scattered magazines. Remind yourself how long it took to decide on that paint colour lurking somewhere underneath that dust. And that kitchen table? Is that the natural wood grain - or coffee cup rings?
People love their dogs, but hate the smell of other people's. If there's a dog in your life, get it into someone else's before a viewing. And consider the viewing over if a prospective tenant steps back into a cat litter tray.
Food smells. 'Air freshener' does exactly what it says on the can. One squirt can transport you from the heat of last night's Indian Madras to the cool of the pine forests of Northern Sweden, in the time it takes the door bell to ring. A pot of fresh flowers, a mirror above the mantelpiece, a print on the wall. Lay it on thick.
Legislation
Here our expertise really comes into its own. You can rely on us to get it right. And here are the areas where you might need our advice:
- Fire and furnishing regulations - does that sofa you bought twenty years ago comply?
- Gas safety regulations - will your cosy gas fire in the sitting room pass the landlord's Gas Safety Certificate?
- Do you need an Electrical Safety Certificate?
- What are the rules on testing your toaster?
We can provide you with all the information and arrange all the necessary checks for you with first class contractors at reasonable prices, making sure you are fully compliant with the Law and aren't risking incurring any hefty fines further down the line.
Did you know that it is almost impossible to deduct any damage from a tenant's deposit without an independent inventory check-in and check-out report in place? We can advise you on everything from Schedule of Conditions to the new Tenancy Deposit Scheme, ensuring you are fully protected and compliant and giving you complete peace of mind.
Deliberation
Our job is to get you the best possible price. But having said this, please do give us due consideration when we advise you about price and the state of the market.
Sometimes we get you an offer on the property on the very first viewing, sometimes it takes a little longer, but we will always keep you updated on our progress, on the feedback from the applicants we are taking round and on the competition in the market.
In return, we simply ask you to consider our advice - it will always be given with integrity and based on all the information we have. Trust us. We do it all day, every day. And we're told we do it very, very well.
Do not just take our word of the marketing and service we offer, why no see what our clients think of Greenaway Residential Letting Agents
