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While upkeep of your property is important, sometimes renovating your buy-to-let makes sense. Perhaps it’s looking a bit tired, there’s some major work that has cropped up, or you’d like to invest in your property for better rental returns. Whatever the reason, if done correctly, you can achieve great results with the minimum of hassle.
Smart Scheduling
Timing is everything and the longer spent renovating, the bigger the financial hit. Once you know that a tenant has given notice, ensure that you schedule the renovations to begin the day after the check-out inspection has been completed. Booking in tradesmen well in advance will ensure works are complete before the new tenancy begins.

Budgeting

Think about how much you’re charging per month and who your target tenants are. Then set a reasonable budget that will allow you to recoup some of the spend, and add value to your property. There’s no point installing high spec, designer appliances in a student let but it may well be essential in a high end short term let property.

Spend extra money on durable items

Floors are the biggest cause of wear and tear in any rental property so it’s worthwhile spending extra on durable carpets that can withstand high foot traffic and regular professional cleaning.
Ceramic floor tiles, while looking smart, are not always the most practical in kitchens and bathrooms. Investigating and repairing leaks is an expensive operation if they require removal as it is very difficult to do so without damaging them. Vinyl flooring has come a long way in the last ten years and offers an excellent alternative.

Mould-proof wherever possible

Mould is a landlord’s nightmare and it’s more common than you think. It can pose a health risk and can be hard and expensive to remove. To help to prevent it forming, always use mould-resistant paint in kitchens and bathroom.

Neutral is key

You are decorating for a functional rental property not for your own home so neutral shades are recommended. The key is to leave things neutral and let the tenants add their own touches. ‘Off white’ shades and clean, white woodwork always work well.

Our Maintenance Team

We offer practical free advice on what would suit your property best. We’ve been arranging works on thousands of properties since 2000 so we know what to include and crucially, what to avoid.

For more information contact Ryan Wallace or Jill Vasey on +44 (0)131 226 7733