Understanding how to prepare your property for rent in Swansea, Mumbles or Sketty is an important part of the process for landlords. Getting the preparation right can make all the difference if you want to find a contract holder quickly.
In this guide we share advice for Swansea, Mumbles and Sketty landlords on how to prepare your property for rent. Our expert team of local letting agents are experts in the Swansea, Mumbles and Sketty property rental market.
Remember, if you’re a Swansea, Mumbles or Sketty landlord, we can help you market your property. We can manage it too. Email us at swansea@belvoir.co.uk or call 01792461929.
Prepare Your Property for Rent – Make Sure Your Property is Clean
This sounds basic, but you need to give your property a good clean. From the carpets to cupboards, from the oven to the bathroom, make sure the standards are high. You want the place looked after so you need to get it right at the start so that you attract the right type of contract holder.
Top Tip You could do the work yourself and save money. But you might want to get the professionals in, particularly for a deep clean.
Get Your Certificates in Order
As a Swansea, Mumbles or Sketty landlord, you have legal responsibilities to the contract holder. You will need to make sure the property has:
- An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
- A Gas Safety Certificate
- An Electrical Installation Condition Report
These tests must be done by proficient professionals, registered with the regulatory bodies. Failure to get these certificates means you could be fined.
Top Tip Ask around to find recommended qualified plumbers and electricians. They must be competent of course. But you also want tradespeople who will do an efficient job at the right price (particularly if they have to make necessary repairs).
The Devil is in the Detail
When you find a contract holder, you hope they will stay in your property for a while. But, when they do move out, you want to be sure that they haven’t damaged or disposed of any of your items. The best approach is to use a professional to complete a full inventory of the property. This will save you time and money at the end of the contract.
Top Tip Put your mind at ease by taking photos of the interior and exterior of the property or recording a video on your phone. You’ll have a record of the condition of the property at the start of the contract.
Prepare Your Property for Rent – Complete all Repairs
Carry out all repairs before a contract moves in. Get the place decorated if need be. It will be someone elses home, but it’s your asset, so look after it.
Top Tip You should expect to make repairs as a result of wear and tear. But, if the repairs are required due to the result of a contract holder’s actions, you can claim the money back from their deposit.
Put Insurance in Place
Make sure your property is insured properly when letting in Swansea, Mumbles or Sketty. Cover the rebuild, and the contents if you are letting the property furnished. Speak with an insurance broker who specialises in landlords insurance. If your property has been empty, notify the insurer that someone is moving in as your policy may need to be changed.
Top Tip Getting the paperwork in order is absolutely essential to the successful running of a property, whether it is a buy-to-let or a home you’ve inherited. Be organised and diarise when insurance needs to be renewed.
Choose a Letting Agent
You’ll need to choose a lettings agent, but first you need to decide what you want them to do for you.
- Is it just to market the property and find a contract holder?
- Do you want them to deal with right to rent and financial checks too?
- Do you need them to manage the property for you too?
Top Tip Seek recommendations and look at online reviews on social media and Trustpilot to find the best letting agent in Swansea.
Consider the Profitability
- Do you know what the rental income will be?
- Have you worked out the yield?
- Have you got a mortgage on the rental property and need to make a certain amount?
These are all questions that need answers. You need to have done your homework on similar properties nearby and your expectations should be based on reality, and not on a rent you are dreaming about!
Top Tip Work with a lettings agent who knows the area, knows the market, and knows the right kind of contract holder for the property.
Get your property up to scratch, and you’re more likely to attract the sort of contract holder you want in your property. Being a landlord can be rewarding but there’s paperwork to get right and responsibilities too.
Prepare Your Property For Rent In Swansea, Mumbles or Sketty
We are local lettings experts for Swansea, Mumbles and Sketty. Speak with as we can help you through the process of finding a contract holder and managing your property. Get in touch with our Belvoir Swansea letting agents. Email us at swansea@belvoir.co.uk or call us on 01792461929. To speak with Belvoir Mumbles letting agents email mumbles@belvoir.co.uk or call us on 01792 361656. To get in touch with our Belvoir Sketty letting agents call us on 01792 001001.
