FAO Landlords:  Would YOU Rent Your Own Property?

Here's a question every landlord should ask themselves from time to time.

Would you be happy to rent your own property?

Not as an investor looking at the monthly figures. Not as the owner who already knows every quirk and compromise. But as someone collecting the keys tomorrow and planning to call it home for the next year.

It's a surprisingly useful exercise because landlords and tenants don't look at a property in the same way.

As a landlord, you might focus on rental income, maintenance costs and long-term value. Your tenant is thinking about something completely different. Is the home warm? Is there enough storage? Does the shower have decent pressure? Does it feel clean, bright and well cared for?

The properties that attract good tenants and keep them for longer are rarely perfect. They simply make everyday life easier.

Small details matter more than many landlords realise. A boiler that works but struggles on cold mornings. Kitchen cupboard doors that don't quite close properly. Poor lighting in the hallway. Marks on walls that have been there for years because nobody has got round to repainting.

None of these issues is likely to make a tenant hand in their notice overnight. Together, however, they can slowly change how someone feels about the place they call home.

Replacing a tenant is rarely cheap. Even if demand is strong, there can be a void period, cleaning costs, maintenance, fresh marketing, referencing and the time involved in finding the right replacement. Looking after a good tenant is usually far more cost-effective than constantly finding new ones.

That's why it pays to view your property through your tenant's eyes now and again.

Walk through each room and ask yourself a few simple questions.

• Would I be happy living here?
• Does anything look tired or neglected?
• If this were my first viewing, would I be impressed?
• Would I happily sign another 12-month tenancy?

Being honest with yourself doesn't necessarily mean spending thousands of pounds on improvements. Often, it's the smaller jobs that make the biggest difference. A fresh coat of paint, replacing worn flooring, improving lighting, or promptly addressing maintenance can all help create a home that tenants want to stay in.

At the end of the day, every rental property is both an investment and somebody's home. The landlords who remember that often enjoy longer tenancies, fewer problems and more predictable returns.

So next time you visit your rental property, ask yourself one simple question.

Would I rent this?

If the answer is yes, you're probably doing plenty of things right. If you're not so sure, now might be the perfect time to make a few improvements before your tenant starts thinking about their next move.

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A national group of independent agents who have been independently tested to ensure we meet strict standards of honesty, service, professionalism and community care.

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