It’s important for landlords to know what tenants want. What are tenants looking for in a place to live? What should landlords put first when they buy a property to rent out? What turns away renters?
Some landlords find it hard to figure out exactly what their renters want, and some renters find it hard to find a place that meets their needs. In this article, we talk about the most important things that renters want in a place to live and what landlords can do to make renters more interested.
Good Location
When people are looking for a place to rent, location is very important; it’s a crucial factor in what tenants are looking for. Most people want to live close to their jobs, as well as to shops, restaurants, and public transportation.
Obviously, you can’t move a rental property that you already own. But landlords who want to buy a property to rent out should think about where it is and what kind of tenants would be interested in it.
Tenants don’t want to live too far away from things they might need. Especially if they don’t drive and there aren’t many ways to get around. It’s important to live near a local supermarket, a doctor’s office, a pharmacy, and other shops, and families put a lot of value on being close to a good school.
Tenants care a lot about where a place is, so landlords should be sure to list all the nearby services in the property ad so that tenants looking for something specific know they have found it.
Safety & Security
Everyone who rents a place wants to feel safe there. Most people wouldn’t choose to rent a place in a dangerous area, so location and safety are often linked.
In addition to the number of crimes in the area, renters like to know that the alarms and locks on the windows and doors work. Because of this, it is important for landlords to make sure that the rental property has a security system that works.
Landlords can make their tenants feel safer by putting in CCTV, adding extra locks and a peephole to the front door, and making sure that all safety certificates are in place.
Landlords should also schedule a mid-term inspection to check on their property and make sure everything is safe and working. This also gives the renter a chance to talk about any questions or worries they may have.
Outdoor Space
Many renters like having their own outdoor space, like a patio, balcony, or garden. If those options aren’t possible, tenants, especially those with young children, often want to live near a park.
When tenants have outdoor space, they can enjoy the sun during the warmer months, have outdoor gatherings with family and friends, and have a whole other place to relax. People were stuck in their homes for so long during the pandemic that they realised how important it was to have space outside.
If the house has a garden, updating and improving it can make it more appealing to potential renters. This shows the tenants that the landlord cares about the property and is willing to make changes. It can also raise the value of the house.