Renting Out Your Space: A Couple Of Things To Think About Before Taking On A Tenant

Letting out a property for the first time seems quite simple. Make sure you’ve got the space, make sure you’re following all regulations, and then screen for a tenant. It’s a fairly easy process, right? Only if you prepare your space properly before you let anyone in. 

After all, taking on a tenant is a big thing, especially if you’re renting out the home you still live in as well. Namely, you need to make sure the space is suitable for anyone who might consider it – and in the current market, there are quite a few tenants looking for a great place to live! 

To ensure you tick every box for them, we’ve got a couple of things for you to consider. On top of following the best practices for landlords, we recommend also tackling these decor and presentation issues before they become a problem. 

Is There Space for Personalization?

Every potential tenant needs to see the space as something they can call their own. They may only be taking out a 3 month lease, but while they’re in the property, it should feel like home to them!

As such, you need to leave space for personalisation. Barebones furniture is usually good, such as a bed frame and a sofa, but don’t go overboard preparing the space. Try to keep things to a minimum where you can. 

This is the best way to guarantee a broad appeal, whether you want to bring in working professionals or small families. Keep it lowkey, clean, and take photos from the best angles. You want people to be able to see the space on offer, which is also a lot easier when it’s not already filled with furniture! 

Is the Decor a Little Too Niche?

Have you already decorated your rental? If so, there’s a chance the decor on display could be a little too niche. This is likely if you used to live in the house, create your own decor, and there’s been no time between moving and putting it up to let. 

To start with, make sure you’re using the most appropriate textures for most people on the market. If you’ve got a thick green carpet down on the floor, with a pattern ingrained deep into the pile, you might not pull as many tenants as you were hoping! Instead, it’s best to find some trusted flooring solutions for developers and invest in one of those. Get something more suitable, such as plain hardwood, fitted instead. 

Then, work on the walls. They don’t have to be totally bare and white, but they’re best kept to a neutral palette. Light, more pastel colours work, such as blues and greens, or simply use ‘earthy’ tones instead. Light browns and oranges are popular. 

If you’ve decided to rent out your space, these are the two things to think about before trying to attract a tenant. The space itself needs to stand out, and that can only happen when it’s showcasing potential.