When you purchase an Seaford rental property, it’s unlikely to be in a state where you can immediately start renting it out. This is particularly true if you got a great deal on your purchase. The cheaper the property, the more work you’ll have to do when getting it ready for your first tenants. You’ll probably also have to do some work in between tenants. However, it doesn’t have to cost a fortune. With these tips, you’ll have your property ready with the minimum expense.
Schedule Your Renovations
While your property is being renovated, it will be empty. That means you’ll have to work hard to make sure renovations are over as quickly as possible to minimize the hit to your bottom line. The secret to this isn’t to cut corners, but to plan ahead. Make sure you have all the materials ready for the earliest date you can start, and if you need help from the professionals then book them ahead. Good tradespeople are in demand; so don’t bank on getting a great plumber with 24 hours notice.
Apply For Council Tax Exemption
As you may be aware, landlords are occasionally able to claim council tax exemption for periods where their properties are vacant. Whether you are able to do this really depends on the discretion of your local council. They are beginning to phase this out, but many of our Seaford letting agency customers have made a successful claim recently. It’s definitely worth making an enquiry.
Use Tiles Everywhere You Can
In most properties, there will be areas where you have the option of using tiles. Obviously there are areas like the bathroom and kitchen splashback where tiles are expected, but you should always be looking for extra opportunities to use tiles instead of wallpaper or paint. Think about tiling utility rooms, cupboards and other areas. Tiles are like a gift to landlords. They are extremely durable, completely resistant to mold, and can be obtained extremely cheaply if you buy in bulk. For extra durability, try to use dark tiles with dark grout. Brilliant white grout doesn’t stay white for very long, and tenants often scrub away at the grout trying to restore the white, damaging the structural integrity of your tiling.
Choose Darker Shades
Conventional wisdom would suggest that walls in a rental property should be painted in magnolia or a similar shade. Many also choose light coloured carpets to give the illusion of a more expansive space. The main problem with this is maintenance. If you are determined to rent out a light coloured house, it is going to cost you a fortune in repainting and recarpeting. Those cream coloured carpets are an absolute nightmare, indelibly retaining the memory of every spill and smudge. By the end of some tenancies they can look like a particular unattractive Jackson Pollock painting, and you won’t necessarily be able to deduct the cost of replacing them from the deposit. In most cases, the most you’ll be able to deduct is cleaning costs, and even the best cleaning companies can’t make cream coloured carpets look new again.
However, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t stick to neutral shades. Just try slightly darker tones, like browns, olive and greys. If you choose these colours carefully, they don’t have to be drab or unexciting. They can create an incredibly warm and inviting neutral colour scheme that doesn’t need constant maintenance.
Need more tips for decorating your Eastbourne rental property? Click here for part two.
