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Tips for landlords to keep their properties occupied year-round

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.

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“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.”

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    The established landlord knows to give a six month tenancy and let it roll.

    Hunters giving all the advice above to benefit themselves not the LL

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    “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".
    Make sure that you have a clause in your Tenancy Agreement allowing viewings in the last one/two months of the tenancy.
    If tenants don't agree to viewings/inspections before they move out, there is nothing much that you can do about it - even though it is in the tenancy agreement. That is a good reason for establishing a good relationship with your tenants!

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    I have a house becoming vacant at the end of August, a Lithuanian family who have been first class tenants for more than 6 yrs have now bought off plan, the void will be useful it needs a new bathroom , which was there when I bought the house more than 25 yrs ago, and a good repaint through out, I don't expect any problems when it comes to re letting it at an increased rent on a 6 month tenancy which will roll over, reading the above I wouldn't use Hunters at any price.

  • girish mehta

    Long term contract does not mean anything
    It is more money for agents through fees
    Tenants can give notice after 6 months
    And move out.
    You can go legal route and enforce but cannot see cost Benefit to landlords

    Best to sing I year contract and review it or let it run on periodic tenancy. That benefit tenants and landlords if the need to relet and for tenants it cost less and do not have to pay for renewing fees

  • George Dawes

    Thanks for that advice , very obvious I mean helpful

    SMH

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