Tips for Landlords

It is well known that a key part in the letting of any property is the first impression obtained by the tenants when looking to rent.

Below are some handy hints that might help you to create the right impression and lift your property above the competition. We realise that a landlord is usually only present at the viewings when first letting the property - and only in some cases! However, many of the hints are basic requirements to improve your chances of letting your property quickly.

Presentation of the Property

• Touch up peeling paintwork
• Keep the property warm and welcoming in Winter – cool and airy in Summer
• Keep rooms bright, clean and tidy
• Stay on top of minor maintenance (before and during your tenancies) – ensure that there are no dripping taps or leaking gutters
• Avoid strong cooking and other odours – except perhaps fresh coffee!!
• Even though they may be harmless, not all viewers feel comfortable with animals - please keep them apart from potential tenants
• Keep gardens, terrace and patios clean and well maintained (it is wise to continue to have climbers, shrubs and trees cut back twice a year). A large garden can be off putting and a regular gardening contract is often very beneficial to letting

How to handle a viewing (if you do not want one of our representatives to carry out a viewing for you)

The letting of a property in a viewing is unlikely to be helped by high pressure tactics. It is the job of the letting agent to try and persuade people to view. Your home should then sell itself if it suits the tenant’s requirements. The following hints may help:

• Accompany the viewers around the house but don’t overcrowd them.
• Be friendly and welcoming. Just stress one or two key points about the property.
• Be confident and positive, allow them to view more than once if they require.
• Do not assume that a very swift viewing is necessarily a bad thing, some people make their minds up very quickly.
• Don’t be offended by people being critical about the property.
• If asked, be prepared to show your running costs, council tax, gas/electricity bills etc.

Security

Never accept a viewing except by appointment through our office. Anyone calling without a prior appointment should be referred back to the office.

All viewers should have some form of identification or at least our lettings list.

Try to have assistance at viewing times

Agreeing the rent and terms of the tenancy

Please direct all offers back to John German Drovers who are professionally trained to negotiate on your behalf.

We would not advise you accept the tenants on the spot, even if you do like them. We will need to verify the status of the tenant before advising you to accept them and this will prevent any misunderstandings at a later date.

Credit checking and referencing will always be carried out before we can formally advise you on whether or not to offer the prospective tenants the tenancy.

Please ensure that if you and the prospective tenants agree to any additional extras ie reduced rental, furniture included etc you immediately inform John German Drovers to prevent any misunderstandings. Any differences from what we discussed with yourself may need to go in the tenancy agreement.

Remember - the better you present the property, the quicker we let it and better rental you will achieve (and usually better tenants too!)