Key features tenants look for in a rental home - part 2 of 2
Rhys Owen, Senior Property Investment and Market Advisor, talks us through a few more of the important things tenants look for when searching for a rental home in part two of this two-part series...
Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
We recently published part-one in this two-part series where we highlighted a few of the key features that tenants look for when searching for a rental property. In the first part, features included the location of the property, the condition, the outdoor space on offer and the amount of suitable storage available.
Of course, there are plenty more things that a property can offer to attract a potential tenant, so we’re going to take a look at a few more rental features that viewers will appreciate so that you know what to look for yourself when searching for a buy-to-let property to invest in.
A secure home
A home that feels safe and secure is important to all of us, and this is especially true for families with children or for those who plan to raise a family in the home in the near future.
From an area that feels safe through to secure modern locks on all doors and windows, it’s important for tenants to feel as though their home is their safe space. Going above and beyond, more sophisticated levels of security on certain properties - such as intruder alarms, CCTV, video entry systems and secure car parking options - can really help separate your property from the competition while prospective tenants are weighing up their options.
Landlords have an obligation to ensure the property is safe in all aspects, including an up-to-date Gas Safety Certificate for central heating boilers, compliant EPC ratings and certificates, and correctly functioning fire and carbon monoxide alarms. While PAT testing electrical appliances isn’t always a legal obligation (check with your local council if unsure - some councils require PAT testing in order to be licensed by them, particularly with HMO properties) it’s again a good way to show tenants that you’re serious about their safety.
Read: Tips for safely moving valuables during house move
Convenient transport links and parking options
Transport links can be of particular importance, especially for tenants who are perhaps working professionals or students who need to commute to work or university campuses through the week, or for tenants who have moved from another city and would like to make regular trips to visit family and friends elsewhere.
Examples of convenient transport links could include easy and nearby access to main roads and motorways, a nearby railway station, or regular bus transportation.
For those who drive, finding a convenient parking space can be a real pain, especially when renting a flat or apartment with more than one car driver in the household. Properties that offer two designated parking spaces, a private garage and/or driveway, or a residential street with plenty of on-street parking (oftentimes parking permits are required in surrounding city centre locations) will go down very well with many prospective tenants.
So, be sure to advertise any positive points in your property listing with regards to transport links and parking!
A pet-friendly rental home
According to the government, just 7% of rental properties in England are advertised as pet-friendly, and we can believe the figures are very similar for Wales. It’s not difficult to imagine the number of tenants who either own a pet or would like to own a pet being far greater than 7% of all tenants, so if your property is well equipped to accept a pet, you’re sure to be giving yourself a clear advantage by appealing to those seeking a pet-friendly home.
We appreciate it’s a tricky decision for landlords, but it’s certainly worth considering as it could even lead to slightly higher rental income due to the demand for pet-friendly rental properties as well as a better chance of the tenants staying put for longer.
Read: Government urges landlords to allow pets in rental properties
An open plan layout
They’ve been popular for many years now, but open plan layouts really do offer tenants the opportunity to utilise spaces as they see fit while also adding a sense of airy spaciousness. They are perfect for uniting rooms and spaces, such as kitchen diner with additional living area, or as a bright place to work from home.
These open plan layouts also work well for all sorts of tenants, including families, students, professionals, and HMO tenants who share communal areas.
If the property allows, you could consider knocking down a wall into the living room or kitchen to combine the two together. If an open plan layout is simply not possible, avoid adding large bulky items of furniture to the rooms as this can make them feel smaller and darker than they actually are.
Read: Is an HMO property a good investment?
As experienced letting agents in Cardiff, CPS Homes have the knowledge and expertise to help landlords and tenants across the city and surrounding areas when it comes to all things letting. If you’re on the lookout for a trusted and reliable local letting agent to help you with your search for an investment property or quality tenants, or to manage your buy-to-let, get in touch with our friendly lettings team to see how we can help. Contact us by calling 02920 668585, e-mailing us at enquiries@cpshomes.co.uk or by dropping into one of our three Cardiff branches.
The information contained within this article was correct at the date of publishing and is not guaranteed to remain correct in the present day.
