What Makes the Perfect Rental Property?

This month’s blog, “What makes the perfect rental Property” is aimed fairly and squarely at landlords. For good yields, peace of mind and long-term tenants, you’ll need to make your property as rentable as possible.

Clarity Property Management are property experts in Brighton and Hove, and throughout Sussex.

With so many years’ experience in the rental sector, when it comes to flats and houses, we’ve seen it all: the Good, the Bad and, if we may say so, the downright Ugly.

Therefore, if you’re a landlord or a would-be landlord, we have all the advice and guidance you need for a must-rent home for tenants. Whilst you may not achieve perfection in all things, if you’ve ever asked yourself, “So, what makes the perfect rental property?”, the team at Clarity has all the answers.

We’ve put together this blog from the point of view of the people that you may wish to rent your property to.

Why?

Because regardless of the size and type of property, whether renting or buying, we all want to live in lovely, clean, dry and comfortable homes. Your looked-after, in-demand property will most likely avoid short-term renters and void periods. In our experience, people who come and go may not be as emotionally invested as you would hope. Therefore, they may (this isn’t a given, of course) not look after it as well as they should.

The solution is to offer the best possible standards within your budget. And, to be a good landlord (see our previous blog on this). Here’s what, in our opinion, makes people’s eyes light up:

1. The Neighbourhood

 Location, location, location.

If you’re considering a buy-to-let, we will encourage you to research the location and the features around it.

It goes without saying that the City of Brighton and Hove has a unique appeal and allure. Everything (or almost everything) is within reasonable walking distance. Plus, there’s a lively social scene practically on the doorstep. Properties near the centre of town will attract professional couples, with bigger flats or houses, near Preston Park say, drawing in families.

For an easier life, transport and amenities are vitally important.

Your property may be stunning, but nobody wants to walk miles to get anywhere. Firstly, check out the bus routes, shopping centres, proximity to a train station and naturally – parking. Generally, there are more cars than parking spaces in Brighton. So, easy parking near or outside the property is a big plus.

2. A Clean, Clear and Light Property

We often hear positive feedback regarding a place being “light and airy”, or the opposite – it was rather “dark and dingy”.

Unquestionably, access to natural light is a subconscious, gravitational pull for humans. It makes sense, then that choosing a property that feels bright and well-lit, even if it isn’t necessarily so, is a good idea. High ceilings in period properties go down well. Plus, good-standard, neutral decoration in the form of a fresh lick of paint should be at the top of your To Do list.

It may sound rather obvious, but do give yourself a head start. Remove as much clutter as possible, and of course, ensure that the property is spick and span. Indeed, less is more. Your tenants should be able to see the it as an adaptable blank canvas.

Space in general is a plus. It’s better to have three larger rooms than four smaller ones. We’re back to the natural light and light/airy theme again.

Then, we come to:

3. The Kitchen

Who doesn’t love a kitchen? That’s right – no one. Properties with great kitchens get snapped up tout suite.

Ultimately, the kitchen is at the heart of any home. It’s where we prepare food, stand around chatting with a glass of wine. It’s where we’re all safely gathered in at the end of a busy day. Neglect this essential space at your peril. Especially, if it’s larger than the normal postage-stamp size we’re so used to in and around Brighton.

In our opinion, well-appointed kitchens with a fan oven, washing machine, large fridge and dare we say it, even a dishwasher are your landlord superpowers. Why? Because rents for properties with fabulous kitchens could command a higher income.

4. Storage Space

It is a truth universally acknowledged that “things” expand to meet the space available.

Also, that with a few exceptions, there is never, ever enough storage space. With some careful planning, you could be that landlord whose property bucks the trend. Good ideas include a couple of recessed inbuilt cupboards, plenty of room to stash belongings under the stairs, or an alcove where people can put their coats.

Alternatively, large wardrobes and chests of drawers (if the property is furnished) will offer an immediate attraction.

5. Security

Even if local crime statistics don’t prove the rule, your tenants’ perception of safety and security at home is vitally important. As you can imagine, living somewhere that’s proactively off-putting to burglars and intruders is a big thumbs-up. Everyone deserves a worry-free night’s sleep, after all.

Adding solid locks, even a double lock on the front door, plus CCTV and a burglar alarm are all excellent ways to make your tenants fall in love with your property. And, they are a positive factor in their home contents’ insurance quote.

6. A Garden, Patio or a Balcony

We appreciate that not all flats and houses have gardens or outside spaces. But, if they they do – and they’re well-maintained, you could be looking at property perfection. Many tenants prioritise an attractive outdoor space, as it offers another “room” during the warmer months.

Although taking care of it may be a chore, surprisingly many renters will enthusiastically embrace their inner Alan Titchmarsh, especially those with children in need of fresh air and games.

We’ve written about gardens here in one of our previous blogs.

Other star performers are things like privacy (nobody likes to be overlooked), parking, and YOU as the ultimate cooperative and responsive landlord.

Here at Clarity, should you engage us to rent and manage your property, we’ll do most of the heavy lifting for you, taking care of maintenance, property checks and repairs.

The rest – is up to you. Making money from renting is highly doable. You just need to make sure that you’re ticking all the boxes.

phis month’s blog, “What makes the perfect rental Property” is aimed fairly and squarely at landlords. For good yields, peace of mind and long-term tenants, you’ll need to make your property as rentable as possible.

Clarity Property Management are property experts in Brighton and Hove, and throughout Sussex.

With so many years’ experience in the rental sector, when it comes to flats and houses, we’ve seen it all: the Good, the Bad and, if we may say so, the downright Ugly.

Therefore, if you’re a landlord or a would-be landlord, we have all the advice and guidance you need for a must-rent home for tenants. Whilst you may not achieve perfection in all things, if you’ve ever asked yourself, “So, what makes the perfect rental property?”, the team at Clarity has all the answers.

We’ve put together this blog from the point of view of the people that you may wish to rent your property to.

Why?

Because regardless of the size and type of property, whether renting or buying, we all want to live in lovely, clean, dry and comfortable homes. Your looked-after, in-demand property will most likely avoid short-term renters and void periods. In our experience, people who come and go may not be as emotionally invested as you would hope. Therefore, they may (this isn’t a given, of course) not look after it as well as they should.

The solution is to offer the best possible standards within your budget. And, to be a good landlord (see our previous blog on this). Here’s what, in our opinion, makes people’s eyes light up:

1. The Neighbourhood

. Location, location, location.

If you’re considering a buy-to-let, we will encourage you to research the location and the features around it.

The City of Brighton and Hove has a unique appeal and allure; everything (or almost everything) is within reasonable walking distance. Plus, there’s a lively social scene practically on the doorstep. Properties near the centre of town will attract professional couples, with bigger flats or houses, near Preston Park say, drawing in families.

For an easier life, transport and amenities are vitally important.

Your property may be stunning, but nobody wants to walk miles to get anywhere. Check out the bus routes, shopping centres, proximity to a train station and naturally – parking. Generally, there are more cars than parking spaces in Brighton. So, easy parking near or outside the property is a big plus.

2. A Clean, Clear and Light Property

We often hear positive feedback regarding a place being “light and airy”, or the opposite – it was rather “dark and dingy”.

Access to natural light is a subconscious, gravitational pull for humans. It makes sense, then that choosing a property that feels bright and well-lit, even if it isn’t necessarily so, is a good idea. High ceilings in period properties go down well. Plus, good-standard, neutral decoration in the form of a fresh lick of paint should be at the top of your To Do list.

It may sound rather obvious, but do give yourself a head start. Remove as much clutter as possible, and of course, ensure that the property is spick and span. Less is more. Your tenants should be able to see the it as an adaptable blank canvas.

Space in general is a plus. It’s better to have three larger rooms than four smaller ones. We’re back to the natural light and light/airy theme again.

Then, we come to:

3. The Kitchen

Who doesn’t love a kitchen? That’s right – no one. Properties with great kitchens get snapped up tout suite.

The kitchen is at the heart of any home. It’s where we prepare food, stand around chatting with a glass of wine. It’s where we’re all safely gathered in at the end of a busy day. Neglect this essential space at your peril. Especially, if it’s larger than the normal postage-stamp size we’re so used to in and around Brighton.

Well-appointed kitchens with a fan oven, washing machine, large fridge and dare we say it, even a dishwasher are your landlord superpowers. Why? Because rents for properties with fabulous kitchens could command a higher income.

4. Storage Space

It is a truth universally acknowledged that “things” expand to meet the space available.

Also, that with a few exceptions, there is never, ever enough storage space. With some careful planning, you could be that landlord whose property bucks the trend. Good ideas include a couple of recessed inbuilt cupboards, plenty of room to stash belongings under the stairs, or an alcove where people can put their coats.

Alternatively, large wardrobes and chests of drawers (if the property is furnished) will offer an immediate attraction.

5. Security

Even if local crime statistics don’t prove the rule, your tenants’ perception of safety and security at home is vitally important. As you can imagine, living somewhere that’s proactively off-putting to burglars and intruders is a big thumbs-up. After all, everyone deserves a worry-free night’s sleep. 

For example, adding solid locks, even a double lock on the front door, plus CCTV and a burglar alarm are all excellent ways to make your tenants fall in love with your property. And, they are a positive factor in their home contents’ insurance quote.

6. A Garden, Patio or a Balcony

We appreciate that not all flats and houses have gardens or outside spaces. But, if they they do – and they’re well-maintained, you could be looking at property perfection. Many tenants prioritise an attractive outdoor space, as it offers another “room” during the warmer months.

Although taking care of it may be a chore, surprisingly many renters will enthusiastically embrace their inner Alan Titchmarsh, especially those with children in need of fresh air and games.

We’ve written about gardens here in one of our previous blogs.

Other star performers are things like privacy (nobody likes to be overlooked), parking, and YOU as the ultimate cooperative and responsive landlord.

Here at Clarity, should you engage us to rent and manage your property, we’ll do most of the heavy lifting for you, taking care of maintenance, property checks and repairs.

The rest – is up to you. Making money from renting is highly doable. You just need to make sure that you’re ticking all the boxes.

phis month’s blog, “What makes the perfect rental Property” is aimed fairly and squarely at landlords. For good yields, peace of mind and long-term tenants, you’ll need to make your property as rentable as possible.

Clarity Property Management are property experts in Brighton and Hove, and throughout Sussex.

With so many years’ experience in the rental sector, when it comes to flats and houses, we’ve seen it all: the Good, the Bad and, if we may say so, the downright Ugly.

Therefore, if you’re a landlord or a would-be landlord, we have all the advice and guidance you need for a must-rent home for tenants. Whilst you may not achieve perfection in all things, if you’ve ever asked yourself, “So, what makes the perfect rental property?”, the team at Clarity has all the answers.

We’ve put together this blog from the point of view of the people that you may wish to rent your property to.

Why?

Because regardless of the size and type of property, whether renting or buying, we all want to live in lovely, clean, dry and comfortable homes. Your looked-after, in-demand property will most likely avoid short-term renters and void periods. In our experience, people who come and go may not be as emotionally invested as you would hope. Therefore, they may (this isn’t a given, of course) not look after it as well as they should.

The solution is to offer the best possible standards within your budget. And, to be a good landlord (see our previous blog on this). Here’s what, in our opinion, makes people’s eyes light up:

1. The Neighbourhood

. Location, location, location.

If you’re considering a buy-to-let, we will encourage you to research the location and the features around it.

The City of Brighton and Hove has a unique appeal and allure; everything (or almost everything) is within reasonable walking distance. Plus, there’s a lively social scene practically on the doorstep. Properties near the centre of town will attract professional couples, with bigger flats or houses, near Preston Park say, drawing in families.

For an easier life, transport and amenities are vitally important.

Your property may be stunning, but nobody wants to walk miles to get anywhere. Check out the bus routes, shopping centres, proximity to a train station and naturally – parking. Generally, there are more cars than parking spaces in Brighton. So, easy parking near or outside the property is a big plus.

2. A Clean, Clear and Light Property

We often hear positive feedback regarding a place being “light and airy”, or the opposite – it was rather “dark and dingy”.

Access to natural light is a subconscious, gravitational pull for humans. It makes sense, then that choosing a property that feels bright and well-lit, even if it isn’t necessarily so, is a good idea. High ceilings in period properties go down well. Plus, good-standard, neutral decoration in the form of a fresh lick of paint should be at the top of your To Do list.

It may sound rather obvious, but do give yourself a head start. Remove as much clutter as possible, and of course, ensure that the property is spick and span. Less is more. Your tenants should be able to see the it as an adaptable blank canvas.

Space in general is a plus. It’s better to have three larger rooms than four smaller ones. We’re back to the natural light and light/airy theme again.

Then, we come to:

3. The Kitchen

Who doesn’t love a kitchen? That’s right – no one. Properties with great kitchens get snapped up tout suite.

The kitchen is at the heart of any home. It’s where we prepare food, stand around chatting with a glass of wine. It’s where we’re all safely gathered in at the end of a busy day. Neglect this essential space at your peril. Especially, if it’s larger than the normal postage-stamp size we’re so used to in and around Brighton.

Well-appointed kitchens with a fan oven, washing machine, large fridge and dare we say it, even a dishwasher are your landlord superpowers. Why? Because rents for properties with fabulous kitchens could command a higher income.

4. Storage Space

It is a truth universally acknowledged that “things” expand to meet the space available.

Also, that with a few exceptions, there is never, ever enough storage space. With some careful planning, you could be that landlord whose property bucks the trend. Good ideas include a couple of recessed inbuilt cupboards, plenty of room to stash belongings under the stairs, or an alcove where people can put their coats.

Alternatively, large wardrobes and chests of drawers (if the property is furnished) will offer an immediate attraction.

5. Security

Even if local crime statistics don’t prove the rule, your tenants’ perception of safety and security at home is vitally important. As you can imagine, living somewhere that’s proactively off-putting to burglars and intruders is a big thumbs-up. Everyone deserves a worry-free night’s sleep, after all.

Adding solid locks, even a double lock on the front door, plus CCTV and a burglar alarm are all excellent ways to make your tenants fall in love with your property. And, they are a positive factor in their home contents’ insurance quote.

6. A Garden, Patio or a Balcony

We appreciate that not all flats and houses have gardens or outside spaces. But, if they they do – and they’re well-maintained, you could be looking at property perfection. Many tenants prioritise an attractive outdoor space, as it offers another “room” during the warmer months.

Although taking care of it may be a chore, surprisingly many renters will enthusiastically embrace their inner Alan Titchmarsh, especially those with children in need of fresh air and games.

We’ve written about gardens here in one of our previous blogs.

Other star performers are things like privacy (nobody likes to be overlooked), parking, and YOU as the ultimate cooperative and responsive landlord.

Here at Clarity, should you engage us to rent and manage your property, we’ll do most of the heavy lifting for you, taking care of maintenance, property checks and repairs.

The rest – is up to you. Making money from renting is highly doable. You just need to make sure that you’re ticking all the boxes.