In this two-minute read,
we explore some common mistakes landlords make when it comes to décor.

Are you a landlord with a new
rental property? Are you about to decorate? Step away from the colour charts,
put down the paintbrush, and read on.

Sometimes, it’s hard to separate
your personal taste from your rental. After all, you’ve paid a lot of money for
it, and you’ve probably invested time and effort getting it ready for the
rental market.

Here’s what to watch out for:

1. Getting too
creative

Your
rental property is NOT your home. You’ll probably never spend more than a few
hours there, so keep a level head when it comes to decorating.

Stay
away from fancy design features and keep colours neutral. Tenants – especially
those who stay for the long term – want to feel like a property is their own.
So that duck egg or dark grey you’ve planned for the bedroom might not be the
right choice. Similarly, when it comes to flooring, tiles, and kitchen units,
it’s best to keep it simple. Appeal to the market, not to yourself.

2. Know your market

Ask
an estate agent who they think the property will appeal to. That way, you can
make a better decision about how to decorate it, as different tenants need
different things. For example, families normally stick around for a while, so you’d
be best off with neutral colours and no furniture. Whereas student houses require
basic furnishings, such as beds and storage.

3. Doing it on
the cheap

It’s
important to invest in long-lasting, durable fixtures and appliances. Filling a
rental with cheap appliances and cut-price fittings could come back to haunt
you, requiring repairs and replacements much sooner than you’d hope.

4. Spending too
much

You
don’t need to go for top-end products to entice tenants. Spending over and
above your budget for top brands and fancy décor isn’t going to add value, it’s
just going to eat into your overall profit. Go for reliability instead.

Of
course, if you’re buying in a high-end area and trying to get the best possible
rent, you may need to splash out a bit. Always talk to an estate agent about
what they think will work well.

5. Kerb appeal

First
impressions make a massive difference, whether at the front or the back of the
house. So, don’t forget to spruce up the exterior of a rental property. This is
especially important now, as post-lockdown private renters are more likely to
want an outside area they can enjoy.

If you have a property to
rent out in Kent, get in touch with us at CWB Property
today.