If you’re a landlord, then you’ll already be aware of how important it is to keep your property up to standard, especially when it comes to your health and safety responsibilities as a landlord.
After all, if your property isn’t desirable, you may end up missing out on the opportunity to host loyal tenants. Discover how you can make your property much more appealing to prospective tenants by reading our blog on Refurbishing Your Property.
At Seekers, we are here to make the landlord process as smooth as possible. With this in mind, our Landlord Hub will provide you with the resources you need, from advice on refurbishments and marketing, to deposit disputes and more. Our landlord services in Newcastle upon Tyne will match you with the right tenant and make the process nice and straightforward.
Renovating your property as a landlord can be a stressful experience, especially if you don’t know where to start. Whether you’re renting to students or young professionals, you’ll find everything you need to know in this comprehensive guide built on our 20 years of industry experience.
Once you’ve committed to renovating and refurbishing your property, it’s time to get planning as soon as possible. The longer your rental property in Newcastle sits vacant during renovation, the more money you’ll lose in the long run.
Firstly, we recommend scheduling your renovation in between tenancy periods, so long as you have your tools, supplies and contractors ready to go. By doing this, you’ll have a free space to get the job done without worrying about your tenants.
Most importantly, you’ll want to set yourself a realistic deadline and try your best to stick to it. Renovation projects can sometimes open up a bigger can of worms, but the quicker you finish renovating, the quicker new tenants can move in. If you are a first-time landlord and don’t know where to start, read our 10 Top Tips for First-Time Landlords.
There’s no denying that damp and mould are a landlord’s nightmare, all of which is explained in our Fact Sheet: Damp, Condensation and Mould blog. With that being said, it’s an extremely unpleasant experience for your tenants too. Not only can mould cause serious health risks for occupants, it can also result in an unwanted lawsuit for landlords who haven’t kept their property in line with health and safety standards. Mould can also damage your property’s paint and plaster, which will lead to expensive repairs. Make sure you are up to date with your legal duties as a landlord by reading our Landlord’s Health and Safety Responsibilities blog.
In cases of damp and mould, prevention is the best cure:
Diagnose the issue and problem areas.
Clean the surface.
Strip the paint.
Wipe down with a sponge.
Add an anti-mould paint.
Ensure you have a ventilator or fan installed.
Bring in the tiles.
Tiles are durable and easy to maintain. You’ll find that they’re incredibly defiant against the spread of mould, so be sure to utilise them in mould-prone areas like bathrooms and kitchens.
You have to renovate, decorate and furnish your property with your tenants in mind. You will likely have many students in Newcastle who are looking to rent out your property, so we’ve put together a guide that answers the question: What Do Students Want from Their Rented Property?
For example, your student tenants may appreciate the clean and minimal feel of white-washed walls. However, if you’re looking to rent to families or young professionals, they may appreciate more colour and personality.
The preferences of your tenants are also helpful when budgeting for your renovation. Ask yourself: how much are you looking to receive per month from your tenants? With this in mind, you should be able to budget accordingly. A £300 PCM property will get £300 PCM tenants, and that’s something to remember throughout the renovation process.
For every purchase you make towards your property renovation, it’s crucial to keep the receipts. As a landlord it’s important that you save money wherever possible, and by keeping a copy of your receipts, you may be able to offset these costs against your tax bill.
Be sure to make use of cashback credit cards so you can get money back on your purchases. You can also apply for council tax exemption through your local council if your property will remain vacant during your renovation.
Being a landlord comes with a lot of responsibilities, and the Seekers team is here to make the process as seamless as possible with our landlord services in Newcastle upon Tyne. We are also here to advise you on how and where you can maximise rental returns, which is why we offer support for our landlords throughout their refurbishment process, from instruction through to completion.
From managing renovation projects on your behalf, to finding you the best contractors for the job, we’ll help you stay one step ahead of your tenants’ needs. Head over to our Landlord Hub for more advice and guidance.
Interested in letting your property in Newcastle? Get in touch with our friendly lettings team to start your journey with us.