Providing an attractive rental property is essential for landlords as a well-designed, modern and stunning home will attract more quality tenants. This is essential as there’s lots of competition that tenants are faced with, all offering something unique and modern. If you struggle to keep up with the competition, you will attract the wrong crowd, which can be a costly mistake or struggle to find someone to occupy your property.
But how do you stand out from the crowd in a saturated market? Luckily, you can transform your rental property with simple changes to attract the right tenants for you and stand out from the crowd. These simple upgrades to boost your rental property value will help you to stay competitive in the rental industry and allow you to increase your rental property value to get your property in front of the best tenants.
Improve your kerb appeal
One of the most important upgrades you can do to boost your rental property value is to freshen up the entrance of the home. First impressions really do count, so you need to focus on improving your kerb appeal. Having a well-maintained exterior can instantly make your property more appealing to prospective tenants, as chipped paint or an untidy path to the front door can be very off-putting and make the property feel dingy.
You should freshen the front door up and windowsills with a new coat of paint to instantly brighten the exterior of your home. You should also do a thorough clean of the door and windowsills, especially if they are made from UPVC, to keep it in a perfect condition and looking like new once more.
Any landscaping that surrounds the entrance of your property should be tidied up to create a clear pathway. Trim shrubs and trees and keep the entryways clear so the possible tenants can easily access it. Consider repointing the brickwork on the exterior and check that gutters and downpipes are in pristine condition.
Install modern appliances
Swapping out appliances for more modern and energy-efficient ones is a great way to appeal to potential renters. Make sure that they are easy to use and are reliable, providing a long lifespan for tenants so you can save money. Standard white goods need to come with clear maintenance instructions, so tenants know how to care for them to make them last longer. Doing this will set you apart from your competition and can go a long way in attracting the right renters. Offer a slow cooker or air fryer and a coffee machine for tenants to enjoy.
Revamp the kitchen
Upgrading the current kitchen within your rental property can really enhance the aesthetic of the home and capture the attention of potential renters. Having a showroom quality kitchen can allow possible tenants to imagine themselves living there, providing them with that feel-good feeling and making them eager to rent.
Replace outdated countertops with durable materials, such as quartz, which provide longevity while looking absolutely stunning. You should also fix broken shelves in any cabinets to ensure they are durable and usable. This can be done with a bit of easy DIY by using mfc cut to size to create sturdy shelving that will withstand weight and last long. You can also install new hardware on the cabinets that are sleek, such as sparkling handles, this will instantly modernise the space.
Add a splash of colour through a fresh coat of paint. Choose a more neutral shade, like warm whites or soft greys, to appeal to a wide range of tastes that possible tenants have. This will brighten the kitchen and make it feel more homely.
Make walls fresh with neutral tones
As well as the kitchen, you should add a fresh coat of paint throughout the property. This makes it feel clean, warm and welcoming, making possible tenants want to live there. Using neutral colours will appeal to a range of tastes and will also match various furniture styles and personal aesthetics that tenants will have. Choose tones such as greys, off-whites and beiges to keep the space adaptable.
Choose high-quality and durable paint for it to last longer and be more difficult to scratch and wear. This is because rental properties are more likely to experience wear and tear over time. To add a splash of colour, you could do a subtle accent wall to bring in character without overwhelming the space.
Lay new flooring
An effective way to boost your rental property value is through laying new flooring throughout the property. Choose high-end materials that are durable and built to last, so they can survive wear and tear and last for years to come. Replace standard-grade carpet and linoleum with better materials, such as tile, stone, hardwood and laminate. Doing this instantly adds value to your property and makes the floor easy to care for, clean and repair, so that tenants can keep it in perfect condition.
Improve windows
Depending on the age of your rental property, the windows could need replacing. Having up-to-date and sturdy windows not only makes your property more appealing to potential renters, but it does them a world of good when they move in. This is because windows contribute to keeping a property bright and they trap the heat in, blocking the cold air from entering the home.
You should upgrade to double-glazed windows to give your property better insulation and reduce distractions from the outside world, such as the noise of traffic.
Use energy-efficient lighting
Lighting in your rental property can be a huge factor in enticing renters to choose your property. It’s important for you to take a look at your current lighting and upgrade it if needed. If you have outdated fixtures, swap these out with energy-efficient LED alternatives to help reduce energy expenses for yourself and the tenants. You can also add dimmable lighting in living rooms or bedrooms, offering a modern way for tenants to adjust the settings to match their preferences. Making these changes can entice the right tenants to rent your property as they will see the advantage of lower energy bills. They will also know that the property is more sustainable with these changes, as it uses less energy, meeting the preferences of sustainability that many people have.
Create a welcoming outdoor area
If your rental property has a back garden, whether large or small, making it clean and welcoming makes a huge difference in appealing to the right tenants. Add simple upgrades like a clean and paved walkway or fresh plants. Sprucing up the outdoor area makes an organised and visually appealing garden which many renters want and need. If you are planting flowers and shrubs, you should provide low-maintenance ones that require minimal attention from renters to still add a pop of colour and visual interest.
You could go that step further by providing weather-resistant garden furniture and a small fire pit to create an outdoor living space that renters can enjoy.
Implement these simple upgrades to boost your rental property value and stand out from the crowd in a saturated market. Appeal to the right tenants by creating an inviting and cosy space that is modern and functional, allowing you to gain more money and have tenants who truly care for your property.
