If you are going to rent out your property, it is important to prepare the property for renting. With a good preparation you will ensure that the property will be rented faster, there will be fewer problems during the rental period and the tenant will feel comfortable and safe in the property. To get your home ready to rent, we have compiled 7 tips.
1. Laws and regulations
If you plan to rent out your house, you need to take into account various laws and regulations. Each municipality has different laws and regulations. We advise you to read up on them in advance or let us inform you about them. Things you should take into account are: permit to let rooms, obligation to live in your own home, landlord's permit and rent determination according to the WWS of the Rent Commission.
In addition, when renting out your property, you also have to take into account some formalities and agreements with, for example, your mortgage lender, insurer and VvE. In most cases, additional conditions apply when renting out a property. It is advisable to contact your insurer and mortgage provider in advance so that they are also aware of your rental plans. If there is also an Owners' Association (VvE) in place, in almost all cases they will require notification of the rental.
2. Maintenance
It is strongly recommended to maintain the property you want to rent out. When you leave the property management to us, we can (if desired) completely relieve you of this task. Our experience is that a well maintained property is rented out faster, causes fewer problems during the rental period and ensures satisfied tenants.
3. The eye wants something, too
Neat tenants look for neat homes. Therefore, it is important that the property is neat and clean. For example, make sure the paintwork looks tight, the baseboards are fixed and the toilet, kitchen and bathroom are clean. In order to rent the property so quickly, it is also important to take nice pictures of the different rooms in the property. However, the photos should be realistic where the actual condition of the property is clearly visible. If this is not the case, there is a big chance that during the viewing round many potential tenants will drop out.
4. Keys and locks
An extra check on the hardware is advisable. This is often skipped but can cause problems during the rental period. Make sure there are enough keys for the tenant(s) and that the locks and hinges are of good quality. This prevents break-ins resulting in damage and also makes the tenants feel safe. Above all, do not forget to have extra keys made for yourself and for a broker or manager. During the key exchange with the tenant, it is advisable to make clear which key belongs to which lock and note the number of keys issued. This way, there will never be any ambiguity after the rental period ends and you as the landlord can be sure that you have received all keys in return.
5. Cleaning
As mentioned in tip 3, tidy tenants look for tidy homes. Therefore, clean your property properly or have a professional do this before handing over the keys with the tenant. You can also include in the rental agreement that when the tenant leaves the property, they must leave it clean and tidy again.
6. Space
For many renters, the space of a home is an important factor. Therefore, it is important to ensure that the home looks as spacious as possible. Make sure there is plenty of room to walk through the home. Free up as much floor space as possible. For example, remove a large closet that makes a bedroom look instantly larger.
7. Viewing
Once your property is completely ready to rent, it's time to hold viewings. Take your time for this and give prospective tenants room to view everything. We recommend removing personal belongings. When organizing group viewings, it is also wise to put away valuables. You cannot always keep an overview in such a case and potential tenants can quickly take a laptop or phone.
Don't have time to take care of everything yourself? City Estate is a specialist in renting and managing homes throughout the Netherlands. We are happy to help you! Contact us today to discuss the possibilities.