Lettings marketing guide: Write your property advert like a human (not an estate agent)

Daniel LeesLettings, Property marketLeave a Comment

Legend tells of one estate agent who described a driveway as a ‘multi-vehicular block paviour parking facility’. That is not the sort of description you want in your advert. Edit out the syrup (see jargon buster below), but make sure you include everything a tenant really wants to know: Where? State not only the area (and don’t call it central … Read More

Lettings marketing guide: Why you should use floorplans to market your rental property

Daniel LeesLettings, Tenant findingLeave a Comment

Historically floorplans have been used to market property sales and higher-end rentals but they are becoming more common – for good reason: they’re an invaluable marketing tool for all lets. Floorplans only need to be done once, but can help a would-be tenant work out whether the property is right for them or not, saving both your time and theirs. … Read More

Lettings marketing guide: Where to advertise your rental property – and how to stand out with great photos

Daniel LeesLettings, Property marketLeave a Comment

How did we ever manage to find homes before the internet? These days more than 90% of property searches start online, and two-thirds of them are via mobile devices, says Zoopla. Local lettings agents, once the first port of call, are no longer the gatekeepers linking tenants and landlords. Nowadays tenants can even do virtual viewings. Britain’s main property portals … Read More

What you should (and shouldn’t) provide when letting your property furnished (or unfurnished)

Daniel LeesLettingsLeave a Comment

Even unfurnished lets are not completely empty. You still need to provide: Appliances. Just about 99% of tenants will expect a decent washing machine, fridge-freezer and cooker Light fittings for wall and ceiling lights Curtains or blinds. Tenants will need these from day one, but finding the right size is a hassle, so do supply them. Go with neutral or … Read More

Should I Rent Out My Home On Airbnb?

Daniel LeesLettingsLeave a Comment

It’s holiday season and you may well have stayed in an Airbnb rental this summer. But have you thought (and perhaps hesitated) about letting out your home on Airbnb while you’re away? For the past three years, my wife and I have rented out our London home on Airbnb to fund our holidays. Although we’ve had the odd broken glass, … Read More

Should you let your rental property furnished or unfurnished

Daniel LeesLettingsLeave a Comment

Rule number one of lettings: properties attract the tenants they deserve. Put the odds in your favour by doing all you can to make your property look its best. In most countries rental properties are provided without any furniture – and if you do want it furnished, you’ll pay a premium. In fact, in Germany tenants have to bring their … Read More

What you need to know about the new energy efficiency laws for your rental property

Daniel LeesLandlord lawLeave a Comment

This winter’s “beasts from the east” that covered London in up to 10cm of snow are over, but from this month new rules ban landlords from allowing tenants to shiver in the draughtiest homes. Here’s what you need to know about the new minimum energy efficiency standards (MEES). What are the new rules? Every property let to private tenants in … Read More

How to choose an online lettings agent

Daniel LeesLettingsLeave a Comment

If you self-manage your rental property, you can use the new generation of online lettings agents to advertise your property. They can, however, take care of a whole lot more: some offer full management at a mere 3% of your rent. Tempted? Though there are brands with excellent reviews (Upad.co.uk and OpenRent.co.uk and well-funded players (easyProperty.com and Purplebricks.com), there are also … Read More