The seasons are turning chillier once again, where our mornings are a little colder and the evenings are getting darker sooner – a beautiful time of year to relish the changing colours of nature and for landlords to start getting their homes let.
The weather will change, the will temperatures drop, and tenants’ expectations are that they will have a cosy, warm home to live in over the colder months as autumn turns to winter.
Spring might be widely considered the best time to let a property, but autumn also provides its own advantages to find the ideal tenant, as many people have returned from holiday and might be on the lookout for a new property to let before the rush of winter and Christmas.
If you’ve recently purchased a buy-to-let property, or if your last tenancy has come to an end and are looking to get it re-tenanted, there might be a few things to do in preparing your rental home for an autumn let.
Below, we set out some top tips.
Serviced and modern boiler installed
Prospective tenants will be on the lookout for a home that offers reliable heating and hot water as the chilly weather approaches. If the boiler has not yet been serviced, now is the ideal time to diarise those appointments for Gas Safe Engineers.
Contractors are extremely busy at this time of the year and research shows it can cost anywhere between £60 to £120 for a service check, up to £200 for a boiler repair, and as much as £400 for a power flush.
Currently, waiting times can be as long as a week, so it’s best to be proactive during autumn to avoid leaving your tenants a prolonged period without heating and hot water during winter.
Failing to service your boiler or installing a new, modern version may deter prospective tenants from letting your property since this is most likely top of their priorities list.
Radiators and plumbing inspections
It is highly advisable that you conduct a health check on plumbing throughout the property and bleed all your radiators before the temperatures start to plummet.
Bleeding a radiator is effective and simple: if your radiator feels cool at the top and hot at the bottom, it’s likely they need bleeding, which means you’ll just have to release any excess air with a radiator bleeding key and an old towel.
This will also ensure that your boiler is in working order as well as to identify and rectify any small issues now, which, if left unattended, can cost you later on.
Utilise outdoor space
Autumn is known for being the season that’s full of colour. If your rental property has a garden or any outdoor space, even if it’s just a small balcony, prepare it for the season and get it in top-notch condition for tenants viewing the property.
It’s good to familiarise yourself with autumn plants that will last through winter. Then, by placing these selected plants in pots such as chrysanthemums, pansies, and heathers you will inject some colour into your outdoor space which will immediately be more eye-catching and appealing to prospective tenants.
Check for draughts and misalignments
Draughts in your property will mean higher energy bills. Ensuring that your rental home is draught-free will ensure that bills stay low and that your tenants are warm and cosy.
Best practice would be to check and fix wooden trims around doors and windows, as well as think about fitting draught excluders throughout the house.
Make sure to locate any hole you can see in the insulation and plug them; not only will this prevent drafts, but it also helps avoid the arrival of unwelcome animals and other critters looking for shelter.
Check for even the most minor misalignment of a door or window as well. While the latter will cause damage from damp, the ability to heat our homes efficiently has also never been more pressing due to the rising cost of energy bills.
A general inspection will cost around £150, while replacing a double-glazed window can cost between £70 to £150. Although this is a rather substantial upfront cost, it could pay for itself when it comes to the savings pocketed on heating your home this winter.
Final thoughts
So, there we have it – a go-to list for getting your rental property into mint condition for autumn viewings. The viewing stage is, generally, one of the biggest challenges and when people are visiting your property, they not only get a feel for the home, but for the landlord too.
Go the extra mile and consider having a coat or umbrella stand along with a welcome mat in the entrance since autumn weather often brings rain. This little thoughtful touch is something that your visitors would really appreciate and will also help to keep your home clean, preventing droplets and wet footprints trailing through your property, especially important if you have more than one viewing per day.
Here at LeBern Property, we have 10+ years of property management experience. For information and advice on the lettings process, management of your property, finding and retaining tenants do not hesitate to contact us at one of our branches.
Find out how much your property is worth and how much you could charge prospective tenants who rent by using our free and instant online valuation.