To prepare your property for let in London, you will need to make sure that repairs are carried out, that the property is suitable to live in and that it complies with legal regulations.
Preparing your property for letting in London takes more than just finding a tenant. It also needs careful planning, a good knowledge of the regulations to comply with and a variety of maintenance and repairs.
Whether you’re a first-time landlord or a seasoned investor with a property portfolio, we talk you through everything you need to know to prepare your property for letting in London.
If you are looking for South London Property Manager, contact J Property Management at info@jpropertymanagement.co.uk today.
Step 1: Inspect and Repair Your Property
Before putting your property on the rental market, make sure you’ve inspected it properly to address any issues.
Whilst some of these might be aesthetic changes, others will likely be structural – helping you make the property as safe as possible.
Check for structural issues like damaged roofs, cracked gutters or uneven driveways. Make sure that all of your plumbing and electrical systems are functioning properly. Safety is incredibly important, and your property is much easier to fix before tenants are placed in it.
This is also a good opportunity to give the aesthetics a bit of a brush up. You’d be surprised how much of a difference a new lick of paint or a fresh carpet can make. Make sure that all the small bits like paint, doors and loose handles are fixed well before anyone moves in.
Step 2: Deep Clean
A clean property can be the difference between multiple tenant offers and none. You want to make sure that as soon as they walk through the door, tenants get a great first-impression.
Kitchens and bathrooms are probably the most important, as they will be the areas that renters look at most closely. If you want to outsource this job, find a local cleaning company that can make sure the property is spotless.
It’s also important to get rid of any items that will have belonged to previous tenants. Create a blank canvas so that the new tenants can envision themselves living there.
Step 3: Modernise The Décor
Depending on how old the property is, you might want to think about some structural updates to make it more appealing.
When preparing your property for letting, think about neutral coloured walls and natural flooring so that the look appeals to a wider variety of tenants. If you can, try and include some nice shelves and elements that make it look more sophisticated.
You’ll also want to decide whether to offer your property furnished or unfurnished.
If you need help making this decision, see our guide around the pros and cons of furnished vs. unfurnished rentals in London.
Step 4: Make Sure Your Property Is Legally Compliant
When it comes to rentals in London, there are quite a lot of boxes you need to tick from a compliance perspective. In fact, ticking these boxes is one of the most important parts of preparing your property for letting.
It’s incredibly important that you stay ahead of these rules to avoid any fines and protect yourself.
You will need:
An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC): An EPC rates your property’s energy efficiency on a scale from A to G (with A being the highest). Since 2018, properties have to have a minimum rating of ‘E’ to be legally let. If your property doesn’t meet this, you will need to think about installing better insulation and energy-efficient appliances like boilers.
Gas Safety Check: Arrange an annual Gas Safety Check with a registered engineer and provide tenants with the certificate to prove that the property is safe.
Electrical System Check: Conduct an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) every five years to make sure the property’s electrics are safe.
Smoke Alarms: Install smoke alarms on every floor and carbon monoxide detectors in rooms with any heating appliances. If you’re letting a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO), you might need to add elements like fire doors and emergency lighting.
Right to Rent Checks: Make sure that all tenants have the legal right to rent in the UK. You can do this by either looking at their passport or reviewing their immigration documents.
Step 5: Prepare Your Documents
Once they are in situ, you must provide tenants with information about the property. Make sure that you record yourself doing this, as it might come in handy in case of an eviction.
You should send your tenants:
- Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
- Gas Safety Certificate
- Electrical Safety Certificate
- “How to Rent” guide (latest version)
- Tenancy agreement with clear terms and conditions
Step 6: Make Sure You Have Insurance and Mortgage Approvals
When renting out your property, you’ll want to make sure you have the right insurance. Landlord insurance protects against things like property damage or loss of income.
You will also need to make sure your mortgage is a buy to let mortgage. Speak to your provider to make sure that letting the property isn’t a breach of your agreement.
Step 7: Market Your Property
With your property ready to rent, it’s time to find tenants. You can work with a property management company to do this, but here are some general tips:
Set the right rent: Research rental prices in your area to make sure your property is priced right. If you need, J Property Management conducts free online rental valuations, to help give you an indication.
Market in the right places: You’ll want to get the word out far and wide about your property. Start by uploading it to platforms like Zoopla and Rightmove. These have huge audiences and can allow you to showcase your property to a big audience in a short space of time.
Take good photos: Take professional-quality photos that make your property’s best features stand out. Write a clear description that pulls out key selling points like transport links, local amenities and schools in the area.
Step 8: It Doesn’t Stop There
When you finally have tenants in your property, you might breathe a sigh of relief knowing they are there.
However, you’ll need to keep the maintenance up to keep tenants happy and your property in good shape.
Schedule regular inspections to make sure any minor issues are fixed before they escalate. Keep communication open with tenants and encourage them to report problems early.
Prepare for seasonal issues like boilers breaking down in the winter or having to clean the gutters in autumn.
Why Preparing Your Property For Letting Matters
Preparing your property for letting not only means you’re compliant with legal requirements but also makes it more attractive to tenants.
A well-maintained and welcoming property will attract reliable tenants, reduce any vacant periods and allow you to increase your rental income.
By following these steps, you’ll set yourself up for a successful and stress-free letting experience.
How We Can Help
At J Property Management, we specialise in London property management. From preparation and tenant sourcing to full-service management, we’re here to make your landlord journey as smooth and profitable as possible. Contact Jessica and Reka today on 020 3105 5898 to learn more!
