Whether you’re new to the buy-to-let scene or have a long established property portfolio, your priority as a landlord is to maximise profit yield and minimise gaps between tenancies, especially during the winter months. Here at FSS we manage over 1000 rental properties for landlords across the Harrogate district and we work hard to reduce void periods. Here are our tips for keeping your properties occupied.
Consider long term contracts
Some landlords prefer shorter tenancies, particularly if they are renting a property that they are planning to come back and live in themselves at some point. However, for most landlords, a longer tenancy generates a more stable income. Consider one-year contracts rather than six months where possible and speak to the existing tenant in good time, before it comes to an end, just in case they want to stay. Also avoid a 6 month let in say June as the letting demand in December is a lot less than in March if you had say agreed a 9 month letting.
Pet friendly lets
The demand for pet friendly lets has shot up in recent years and even more so since lockdown, when many people became pet owners for the first time. Understandably, some landlords prefer not to have pets in their properties but if you’re happy to have tenants with dogs and cats you may generate more interest and longer staying tenants, plus you can legally and legitimately charge a higher rent if agreeing to a pet.
Be prepared
We have already mentioned the importance of checking in on your tenant in good time before the tenancy expires. Not only does this give you a chance to sign a new Agreement if they want to stay, it also alerts you to the need to act if they plan to move on. We carry out regular observation visits to our managed properties which means we pick up maintenance and repair issues as they happen, leaving less to do at changeover time. It’s a good idea to carry out a property check when you know your tenant is not going to renew because it gives time to get quotes for work and plan for repairs to be done quickly so that it is in good condition to attract new tenants.
Be a good landlord
It goes without saying that tenants are more likely to stay if they have had a trouble-free tenancy. We have an excellent track record for keeping tenants in our managed lets because our maintenance team is on hand to respond to emergencies, repairs and maintenance issues as they happen. We receive as many positive testimonials from tenants as we do from landlords, thanks to our efforts to keep properties well maintained.
Promoting your rental
When a tenant leaves, it is important to have a letting agent who makes it as easy as possible for new tenants to find your property. Our online enquiry system means prospective tenants can request a viewing at any time of the day or night and our offices are open 6 days a week to respond to viewing requests and queries. We are registered with portals Rightmove and On the Market and we proactively use Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram to promote our sales and rental properties and we use our extensive local networks to get the word out. One of the biggest reasons so many of our landlords have been clients for years is the strategies we use to limit void periods and maintain strong relationships with tenants.
The FSS Difference
- Fully managed and let only services
- Proactive marketing service for faster lettings
- Stylish property brochures with full floor plans
- Excellent relationship with relocation networks
- Experienced ARLA qualified staff
- Minimise void gaps and secured tenancies over winter
- Thorough reference checks on all tenants
- Rent guarantee insurance
- Fully comprehensive inventory with detailed photos
- In house accounts department
- In-house maintenance department
- Thorough checkout service
- Specialist advice on all types of rental properties, from studios to luxury family homes
Interested in letting your property with us? Call 01423 501211 to speak to our residential lettings team.