Tips for a fast turnaround between tenants
A fast turnaround between tenants is a must these days. With most landlords suffering from huge interest rate hikes, a vacant property can be costing you hundreds, if not thousands of pounds a month. But being a good landlord also means being responsible and you’ll still want the property to be in excellent order for your new tenants. The tips below will help you get the property ready for a new tenant in just a few days.
Get a date… and a time
If you have good relations with your current tenant, you’ll not only have the exact date they plan to leave, but they might even give you an estimated time as well.
Some landlords give a strict deadline of midday, but this isn’t always possible, so it’s better to ask for an honest and plausible time. You can even help your tenants get ready with this handy checklist. Once you have the date and time you can start booking the most important things. If you need a gas or electrical safety check, then these are the priorities. If you get this booked early enough, they can even attend on the very day your tenants leave. Use this time to get all the meter readings too.
Fast DIY Fixes
If you’re looking for a fast turnaround, big jobs will have to wait for now. In just a few days you won’t be able to undertake any major jobs. But you can reattach skirting, fix leaky taps, secure cupboard doors and fill any holes caused by picture hangings. Even jobs you might consider specialist, like applying fresh sealant to windows or baths, you can easily do yourself. Some jobs, like fixing broken furniture and filling small holes don’t even require tools. In fact, for many of these small jobs, Unibond has the epoxy you need.
Draw up a list of small repairs and see what you can do yourself. Alternatively, hire a local handyman for a whole day and work off the list together starting with the most important.
Quick Decorating Hacks
Giving the place a lick of paint can make all the difference. And even if you only have a day or two, this is possible. If you’re really stuck for time, just concentrate on the bathroom and kitchen, as the decor in these rooms tends to degrade the quickest. Choose white to reduce the amount of coats you will need, as well as the number of rollers and trays. If you have time, then do the living area, followed by the bedroom. Ceilings are always trickier, so avoid these if you only have a few days.
Marketing Tips
If you haven’t found a new tenant yet, then check out these tips for marketing your property. Commitment to good marketing can make all the difference when it comes to finding a new tenant. If you don’t want the flat empty for long, advertise it as soon as your current tenant gives you notice. By law, they have to allow you to hold viewings. Just make sure you give a notice of at least 24 hours and be as amenable to your current tenant as possible.
Furniture
If the flat is furnished or part-furnished, you’ll need to make sure the furniture is still up-to-date and in good working order. Ask the current tenant in advance if they are leaving any of their furniture. It might be that they have items they cannot take with them and they would be willing to sell to you. This solution works for everybody.
Book a final clean
Your current tenant should leave the flat clean, but it is your responsibility to make sure your new tenant finds it clean. The cleaning also needs to take place after you have done any work. Try to book a cleaner to come the afternoon before the new tenant arrives. This will ensure it is as clean as possible and smells good, too. Again, book this as far in advance as possible with a reputable company.
It might feel insurmountable, but it’s completely possible to have a new tenant move in just a few days after the current one moves out. A quick turnaround requires plenty of advance planning and is dependent on you having good relations and an easy line of communication with your current tenant. Just be sure to prioritize the jobs that matter the most.
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