The Hunters lettings agency has set out tips for landlords to keep their rental properties occupied all year round.
The firm – which has recently been taken over by a much larger agency company called The Property Franchise Group – says with 4.44m privately rented homes across England alone; but with demand high, there is ample opportunity for landlords to ensure their properties are occupied all year.
“One of the most obvious ways to keep your property occupied is to introduce long-term contracts where you can. Having people come and go more regularly can be disruptive, so one-year contracts work much better for both landlords and tenants” explains Carrie Alliston, group lettings director at Hunters.
“Rather than getting into a rolling contract with your tenants, consider asking them to sign a new contract if they decide to stay after their initial contract has ended. That way, you will have the peace of mind that they will not up and leave at any time.”
Alliston’s other tips are:
Move fast when current tenants are set to leave – “Visit your property as soon as you know that your current tenants are planning to move out, and inspect for anything that needs fixing or replacing. The best time to do up your property is during the first week it becomes vacant – that way, the house will be available for viewings quickly.”
Look after your tenants – “Build a relationship with your tenants through friendliness, good communication, and effective problem-solving. They will be more likely to renew their contract, or if they do move out, having a good relationship with them means you can ask them why they chose to leave. If it’s something that can be changed, you can do so before your next tenants move in.”
Advertise your property – “If you find yourself with an empty house, choose an expert estate agent like Hunters, who lists their properties on major portals such as Zoopla and Rightmove, to market your property. You can also self-advertise – put adverts on local notice boards, post about your property on social media, and let people know that your property is available through word of mouth.”
Simplify the process – “Make the journey to signing a contract as simple as possible to increase interest and secure new tenants faster. Consider cutting out any fees as this will make it cheaper and easier for people to apply. Lowering the rent also makes your house even more appealing should you find yourself with a large void of tenants.”
