Why and How You Should Prepare For Viewings

Many landlords struggle with the issue of untidy houses at viewings. It poses a significant problem when trying to sign new tenants. Whilst students are under no obligation to clean their homes, unless it poses a risk to the building or neighbours, there is a good reason why they should. Preparing a house for a viewing is easy and it only takes a simple glass of COLA. 

Cleaning

Viewings can be annoying and intrusive. The fewer you have, the easier your life will be. The best way to ensure your house gets signed early is to tidy up for a viewing. A dirty and cluttered house will deter potential tenants, meaning there will be more viewings. Students tend to focus on the kitchen and living room, so at the very least, see to it that these are neat and tidy. In the bedroom, students look for size. The best way to make your room as large as possible is to keep floors clear and declutter by placing your things in drawers and cupboards. A quick and easy option would be to temporarily place everything under the bed space. 

Outdoors

Outdoor areas are sometimes neglected in student homes. Just spending five minutes picking up any rubbish outside the front of the house can be the difference between a good first impression and a terrible one. When it comes to the garden check whose responsibility it is to maintain it. If it is your (the student) responsibility, cutting the grass once before the first viewing can make all the difference. Especially since COVID-19 has reminded all of us of the value of having even a little outdoor space.

Lighting

The best estate agents always ensure their properties are well lit for a viewing. Well-lit properties are far more appealing to prospective tenants. Natural light is more appealing to tenants so opening all the curtains and blinds will result in a quick signing and mean fewer viewings. Alongside this turning on all the lights will make the property more inviting.

Atmosphere

An hour or two before the viewing open up the windows and refresh the air in the house. This will flush out any unwanted smells and fresh air will make the property more appealing to the prospective tenants. Viewings for student houses often occur during the colder months. This means refreshing the air may leave the house cold. Turn on the heating to take the chill out of the air but try not to turn your house into a sauna. Remember that most students coming to view your house will be well dressed for the outdoors so heating to 18 degrees should be a good level.

Cleaning your house is by far the easiest way to reduce the number of viewings. It doesn’t have to be a deep clean and can be as simple as reducing clutter and tidying the kitchen. By splitting the tasks between housemates, you can make even the messiest of properties look presentable in under 1 hour. Tidying up the front of your property can make a good first impression and the garden can sell it. Lighting and atmosphere can be the final nudge prospective tenants need to sign on the property after the first visit. From personal experience, I had 2 viewings in my second year after cleaning our house. In my third year, we went through a spate of 5 viewings, all at short notice, not leaving us much time to clean and the property was not taken up. Once we had the opportunity to clean, the property was signed instantly. This is only one example, but many students have the same story, so we hope you see that it is in your interest to prepare your house for a viewing. While your landlord owns the property and it is in his interest to get the property let quickly, you as tenants also have a vested interest as it will mean fewer viewing and less intrusion.