Tips for landlords on renting your house out
Meet Helen from Kennan Properties..
As part two of our kitchen renovation blog, these are Helen’s top recommendations for landlords looking to rent their home out. A little revamp is a score for both you and your tenants!
1. Hire a property manager from Kennan Properties
This is a worthwhile investment as it saves you time and effort. They have decades of experience, and knowledgeable agents who know and understand the local market.
2. Revamp your kitchen
Is your kitchen looking drab and outdated? Don’t worry, you don’t need to replace it completely! A lick of paint on the walls and cupboards can revive it in a heartbeat.
3. Revamp your bathroom
Your bathroom can easily look outdated. Small things make a difference, such as a new toilet seat lid, a new tap, or a new shower head.
4. Fix things
Fixing things may seem obvious, but sometimes time just runs away from you! If you
can’t fix it yourself, talk to your property manager and see if they have a contact for a
repairman who can come in and fix that loose cupboard, or a plumber to fix that leaky
tap.
5. Repaint your house - both the interior and exterior
This can be pricey, but also worthwhile. It’s just a fact of life that paint starts looking old
and dirty, and this can detract from your property’s rental appeal. Soft, neutral colours
are the easiest option to go for, as this can appeal to everyone. Dulux Zimbabwe’s
EasyCare® with Stain Resist Technology is the perfect choice when dealing with tenants
as it is hard wearing and easy to wash.
6. Liven up your garden
Water it (if you can), a green garden is inviting and attractive, especially if the potential
renter has children and/or pets. If you don’t have a lot of water, try making it water wise,
just go to your local nursery and ask what they have available. Aloes, cacti, and
succulents are all lovely options, but there are plenty of other plants that thrive with little
water. Even better- call in a garden designer who knows exactly what to do and could
save you from making mistakes! They know exactly what will work and how to best
spend any budget that you may have.
7. Tidy up the house
Do you still have your personal belongings in the house? Then make sure it’s tidy! Make
your bed, put away clothes, any paperwork, and toys - anything that looks messy should
be tidied. Having a tidy home makes your property instantly more appealing as it is
easier for a potential tenant to imagine living there. This is especially important for the
pictures taken to market your home.
8. Get professional looking pictures taken
Kennan Properties can organize this for you, but if you want to sort it out yourself make
sure that your phone takes good pictures or that you hire someone with a good camera.
Pictures should be clear and bright, and there should be a picture of every room in order
for people to see the whole house.
9. Provide an alternative form of electricity
We all know what power is like in Zimbabwe, it’s a struggle. In a way, providing either a
generator, an inverter, or solar power is essential… It makes your tenants happy and
comfortable knowing that they have some form of back up.
10. Make sure they have access to water
If the water supply isn’t consistent, make sure to have a backup, having a working
borehole is fantastic for property value, but a water tank is a much cheaper, and easier
alternative.