Styling your property for rental

A rental property will need a thorough clean.

When you're preparing to rent out your property, it's essential to thoroughly clean the entire space. You'll want to clean all surfaces and appliances, windows and mirrors, carpets and rugs (if applicable), bathrooms and toilets (including showers), kitchen appliances, and light fixtures throughout the home-even door knobs! And don't forget about windowsills-they often get overlooked when people are cleaning but can get dirty pretty easily if there's no one in charge of keeping them clean!

Remove personal items and clutter from clear surfaces.

Remove personal items from clear surfaces.

Clear surfaces are the first thing that potential tenants see when they enter your property, so it's important to make them look clean and uncluttered. If you have items on the coffee table or kitchen countertop, remove them before photos are taken. You may also want to consider removing any clutter that could be seen as eye sores or fire hazards (papers/books stacked high on shelves, trash cans overflowing with garbage). These things can make a space feel smaller than it is and turn off potential renters who might be looking for something more stylish or comfortable.

Make sure the bathroom and kitchen are fully functional.

Check that all appliances are working properly.

Ensure taps, showers and toilets are all functioning properly.

Make sure the kitchen is clean and tidy.

Are you going to include white goods? White goods will add value to your property as tenants won't need to buy their own. What white goods are most favourable? Fridge freezer, washing machine and dishwasher, if you have the additional room you may also want to include a tumble dryer especially if your home is going to be ideal for families.

Clean up stains and scuffs on the flooring.

To clean up stains and scuffs, you'll need a damp cloth. If the stain is persistent, try using a brush to remove it. If there are any marks on the walls, think about a fresh coat of paint or just use a touch-up pen. Avoid harsh chemicals like bleach or other cleaners-they can damage your flooring over time. Finally, don't scrub too hard with an abrasive pad: this will cause permanent damage to any type of wooden flooring.

Ensure all light fixtures are working properly.

This includes bulbs, switches and fixtures. Check to see if you have any fans or ceiling fans that need to be cleaned or repaired. Have you got your EICR? This stands for an electrical installation condition report, which is carried out by a qualified electrician to make sure your property's electrics are safe.

Remove any old wallpaper or paint.

Removing old wallpaper and paint is the first step to making your property look its best. Get rid of any outdated or in-your-face wallpaper. If you are not sure what colours are best, always choose neutral colours, not only will it make the space look bigger and brighter but these are most people's choices.

Once all of this work has been done, clean up all dust using wet rags or a vacuum cleaner--you don't want it getting into carpets or furniture later on!

It's important to ensure that your property is ready to rent out as soon as possible after buying it

It's important to ensure that your property is ready to rent out as soon as possible after buying it. This will help you pay off your mortgage faster, build up a financial portfolio and even create a rental portfolio from which you can then use to purchase further properties in the future.

Are you thinking about becoming a landlord? Would you like to see how much rental yield you may earn on your next investment? Do you want to talk to Oli or Andrew to find out what Ashford tenants are looking for right now?

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