In the dynamic landscape of UK property rental, the Renters’ Reform Bill is set to introduce significant changes. With a focus on improving renters’ security and overhauling the lettings sector, landlords and letting agents must adapt to these reforms. No Letting Go is poised to assist in this transition, ensuring that properties are compliant and the rights of both tenants and landlords are upheld.
Understanding Renters’ Reform
The Renters’ Reform Bill proposes substantial adjustments to tenancy agreements, security of tenure, and the quality of rental accommodation. Key aspects include the abolition of ‘no-fault’ evictions under Section 21, an introduction of a lifetime deposit system, and a new property portal for landlords, helping to enforce higher standards.
The Role of No Letting Go
Ensuring Compliance with Updated Regulations
No Letting Go’s services are vital in helping landlords navigate these legislative changes. With professional inventory management and regular property inspections, we ensure that landlords meet their obligations under the new laws.
Professional Inventory Reports
Comprehensive inventory reports are more crucial than ever. These documents provide an evidence-based approach to managing tenancies, which will be vital in the case of disputes, especially with the anticipated removal of ‘no-fault’ evictions.
Regular and Thorough Property Inspections
With the government’s emphasis on the quality of rented homes, regular property inspections are key. No Letting Go’s meticulous inspections can identify maintenance issues early, ensuring properties meet the required standards and helping landlords avoid penalties.
Lifetime Deposit Scheme Readiness
The lifetime deposit system aims to make moving between properties more manageable for tenants. No Letting Go can facilitate the management of these deposits, ensuring proper documentation and transfer between tenancies, reducing administrative burdens for landlords.
Educating Landlords and Agents
Education will be a cornerstone of adapting to the Renters’ Reform Bill. No Letting Go provides guidance and advice, keeping clients informed of their new responsibilities and helping to implement best practices in property management.
Dispute Resolution
Our detailed inventory reports and evidence of property conditions serve as critical tools in resolving end-of-tenancy disputes, which may increase due to the abolition of Section 21. Our services provide landlords with the documentation needed to fairly settle any disagreements.
Embracing Technology
No Letting Go’s technology-driven services, like the DigiSign Automated Check-In, will streamline compliance with the new digital property portal, ensuring landlords can easily provide the necessary information and maintain records.
The Renters’ Reform Bill represents a paradigm shift in the UK’s rental sector. No Letting Go stands ready to support landlords and letting agents through this change, with a suite of services designed to maintain property standards, simplify compliance, and support the well-being of tenants. As the rental landscape evolves, partnering with No Letting Go means staying ahead in providing safe, compliant, and well-managed rental properties.
If you’re weighing up the pros and cons of providing a furnished or partly furnished property for prospective tenants, you’ve come to the right place.
Letting a furnished property has plenty of benefits, including quality tenants and longer tenancies. However, furnishing your property can get expensive and cause issues down the line if not done properly.
Here, we discuss how to furnish a rental property with tips and tricks on making the most of your portfolio.
What’s the Difference Between Fully Furnished and Partly Furnished?
Let’s clear this up before we get started.
Furnished
Usually, a furnished property will come with essential electrical appliances, white goods and basic furniture. In short, everything a tenant needs to move in straight away.
Partly Furnished
A partly furnished property will only include white goods, lighting and essentials such as curtains and kitchen cabinets. It may also include some other furniture items at the discretion of the landlord or letting agent.
Unfurnished
An unfurnished property will come with only the very basics- light fittings, carpets and essential appliances such as an oven.
Should you Furnish Your Rental Property?
Furnished or unfurnished? It’s a tricky question. While renting unfurnished properties may seem like the easy option, providing a furnished property comes with attractive benefits;
You Can Charge Higher Rent
A well-furnished property may affect the amount of rent you can charge.
With a lack of quality, furnished properties on the rental market, tenants searching for a ready-made home are prepared to pay a little more for the convenience.
Good quality furnishings that make your property look welcoming will attract tenants and help your property stand out.
Attract the Right Tenants
A well-furnished property will attract a wider pool of renters, allowing you to pick and choose to find the right tenant for you– whatever that might look like.
Secure Longer Tenancies
A home that feels well cared for and inviting will encourage tenants to stay longer term.
Who is Your Target Tenant?
The tenant group you’re targeting should be the biggest consideration when deciding whether to furnish your property. Well established families or older professionals are likely to have their own furniture they want to bring with them.
Whereas students or young professionals may be looking for convenience and a place they can move in straight away.
What Does a Landlord Have to Provide in a Furnished Flat?
When providing tenants with a furnished home, there are certain items they will expect to be included;
What to Include
A furnished property should include;
- White goods (oven, washing machine, fridge freezer etc.)
- Dining table and chairs
- Beds
- Sofas and chairs
- Wardrobes, chest of drawers and cupboards
- Light fittings
- Curtains
- Carpets
What Not to Include
However, there are a few items landlords are not expected to provide;
- Bed linen, duvets and pillows
- Cleaning supplies
Furnishing a Buy to Let Property: Top Tips
To make things easier for yourself at the end of the tenancy agreement, we have some tips and advice on how to furnish your rental property;
Choose Easy to Clean Furniture
Wear and tear is inevitable, but to keep your property in good condition, easy to clean appliances will encourage your tenants to keep things well maintained.
Avoid Decorations
When it comes to personal taste, we’re all different. Let your tenants choose the little details so they can feel at home. Similarly- neutral colours work best.
Choose Easy to Replace Items
This way, if things get broken, they can be replaced with a ‘like for like’ item without too much bother.
Replace Furnishings as Needed
Old, stained carpets will do nothing for your properties appeal. The Tenancy Deposit Scheme recommends replacing most items of furniture after 7 years.
Provide Basic Tools
Providing basic tools will encourage tenants to take care of minor issues themselves, taking one more thing off your plate.
Follow Safety Regulations
As a responsible landlord, you need to follow fire safety laws when it comes to soft furnishings.
Choosing the Right Furnishings
Let’s take a closer look at some of the types of furniture to include in your rental property, room by room.
Living Room Furniture
Basics to include:
- Sofa(s) or armchairs
- Coffee table
- Bookcase
- Carpet
- Lights
Best Sofas for Rental Properties
Here’s a few of our top picks of the best sofas to buy for your rental property:
This modern 2-seater sofa in a neutral grey will work well in slick apartments for young professionals and is pretty easy on the budget too!
A sofa bed is a big plus among tenants, and this one is great value for money. This simple, classic style will work well in most interiors and families will love the extra storage space.
The Quality 3-Seater
If you’re trying to attract professionals willing to pay high prices for the right home, a quality sofa is essential. This one comes from an esteemed brand and the elegant style will have mass appeal.
Kitchen/Dining Room Furniture
Basics to include:
- Kitchen cabinets
- Essential appliances (oven, washing machine, fridge freezer, toaster, kettle etc.)
- Table and chairs
Best Dining Tables for Rental Properties
A dining table is the hub of any home and getting the right one is important.
This handy piece of furniture features built in storage and a fold-out table design. Perfect when letting properties with small kitchens.
The Extendable Table
The simple, modern design of this table will fit neatly into any interior, and the extendable section can accommodate extra guests. It’s also budget-friendly!
Bedroom Furniture
Basics to include:
- Bed
- Mattress
- Wardrobe
- Chest of drawers
- Bedside table
- Carpet
- Lighting
Best Mattress for Rental Properties
A mattress is perhaps the most important piece of furniture for your rental property. A considerate investment, you need it to be durable and long lasting. Here’s our top picks;
The Affordable Memory Foam Mattress
This mattress from the Memory Foam Warehouse makes quality memory foam affordable. Starting at under £100, you’re unlikely to find anything cheaper.
Buying a mattress for your rental property is only half the battle. The next job is delivery. Opting for a bed in a box mattress means the mattress can be delivered straight to the property in a convenient sized box.
Once you’ve invested in a mattress, it makes sense to protect it. A mattress topper can prolong the life of a mattress and guard against stains to keep it looking fresh at the end of the tenancy. This memory foam mattress topper is a cheap but comfortable option.
Protecting Your Furnished Rental Property: Inventory Management
Once you’ve gone to the effort of furnishing your rental property, you need to ensure it’s protected.
The easiest way to do this is by investing in a comprehensive inventory report delivered by unbiased professionals. A property inventory helps guard your property and its contents against damage by providing full details of its condition at the start and end of a tenancy.
At No Letting Go, we provide landlords and property professionals with comprehensive services and reports to protect their investment and streamline processes. Browse our full list of inventory management services to find out how we can help.
As a landlord, it’s your responsibility to provide a secure property for your tenants. No one wants to receive a call from a distressed renter who’s just been broken into. Safe and secure properties equal happy tenants.
Insufficient security against intruders is one of the most common hazards impacting well-being in the home. Burglaries and forced entry are not only alarming, but also result in a lot of hassle sorting out insurance claims.
So, how safe and secure is your property?
If you think there could be room for improvement, then read on.
Are the Locks Up to Scratch?
The first thing to think about when assessing the security of your property should be the standard of door locks in place.
Changing Locks Between Tenancies
It should be common practice to change all the locks on doors and windows for every change in occupancy. You never know who’s hands the keys of previous tenants can end up in, especially when getting new keys cut is so easy.
What Type of Lock to Choose?
The Residential Landlords Association advise using five lever mortice locks for external timber doors or a multi-point locking system for PVC doors.
It’s also worth fitting door chains onto front doors for added security.
Don’t Forget About Windows
Window locks are just as important as they are a common point of entry for intruders.
Ensure that all windows easily accessible from the outside have good quality locks. But note that locks should not be used for designated escape windows.
Are the Doors a Good Fit?
It’s all well and good having top-quality locks, but if external doors don’t fit the door frame properly your property is vulnerable to break ins.
Make sure that all exterior doors and garage doors are correctly fitted and are free from damage.
What About an Alarm System?
Fitting a security alarm is another way of keeping your property safe for your tenants. Raising the alarm is especially important if the occupants are away from the property for extended periods of time.
The security system doesn’t have to be state-of-the-art. A simple home security system is all you need to protect your property. There is a huge array of burglar alarms and defender alarms out there:
- The simplest option is a ‘bells-only’ alarm which, when triggered, sets off an audible alarm to alert tenants or neighbours
- A speed dialler alarm allows you to choose up to three contact numbers to be immediately contacted by text message when the alarm is set off
- The most expensive alarm is a monitored system. When the alarm is sounded, a signal is sent to a remote monitoring centre. This means the centre can confirm whether there is a security issue, and if so, inform the police, freeing up more of your time
Is Your Property Visible?
If your property is located slightly off the beaten track or in an area without many neighbours around, it might be worth investing in a security camera.
CCTV systems are more affordable than they used to be, but make sure you comply with laws on the handling of digital images.
Is Your Property Well Lit?
A simple, yet effective security measure is to fit security lights. Outdoor lighting is essential for making your tenants feel safe when they return to the property late at night.
Important places to illuminate with sensor activated lights include the property entrance, gates, driveways and anywhere that could be a potential entry point for intruders.
It’s also worth fitting wall switch controlled lights near garden outbuildings, side and rear doors. Anywhere not overlooked by neighbours could benefit from additional lighting.
How Safe is the Area?
The location of your property can have a big impact on the risk of break ins. Ensure you research the area thoroughly before making the decision to buy new properties.
This type of research can take time. Time that busy landlords with multiple properties might not have to spare. Luckily, there are several property report services available to do the hard work for you. These reports look at factors such as historical crime data in the area as well as comparing local and national crime rates. They can also give you information on the nearest police stations to make property management simpler.
Do you Have a Vacant Property?
It’s important to keep tabs on any vacant properties you might have. Most insurance companies require vacant properties to be visited regularly to check the property is secure and manage any issues.
If you’re juggling multiple properties, why not delegate this task to a professional service? No Letting Go offers reliable vacant tenancy inspections so you don’t have to worry about any attempted break-ins.
Are Your Tenants Safety Aware?
It could be worth sending your tenants a quick email with advice to ensure they’re up to date with the latest safety information. If you’re renting to students or younger people this could be particularly beneficial.
It’s a nice way to show you care and are serious about your responsibilities as a landlord. Simple home security ideas and tips such as hiding valuables and leaving a light on in the bathroom when out could make all the difference.
Direct your tenants to the Met Police website for further home security information.
Secure Property Management
Hopefully, these security ideas will help you to provide the safest and securest properties for your tenants.
If you’ve already got a lot on your plate, let us help with our professional, unbiased inventory services and property reports. With No Letting Go’s assistance, you can rest assured your property meets all the safety standards.