collaborative post
If you’re planning to rent out a property to tenants, it’s probably a good idea to doa bit of decorating first. Doing so will make your property more attractive to the kind of tenants you’re trying to encourage and it will give you a chance to get to know the property better.
Whether you’re a seasoned property developer or someone who’s getting ready to let their first property, here are a few decorating tips that you may find useful:
Tiles are a great choice
When it comes to decorating areas like the kitchen and bathroom, it can be tempting to save money by using cheaper materials like laminate, paint and linoleum, but this could well be a false economy. Not only do they look much less attractive, but they are also less likely to stand the test of time, which means you’ll probably need to replace them very often. Tiles, on the other hand, can typically be refreshed by simply re-grouting them and giving them a quick scrub, which is obviously an advantage.
Keep it neutral
It probably doesn’t need stating, but when you’re decorating a property for other people, it’s smart to be cautious and stick to neutral colour schemes. Not only will bright, bold and garish decoration put some potential tenants off, but it will also age your property far more quickly than walls that have been simply decorated in shades of white, cream or maybe even grey. By sticking with the basics, your property will have more appeal, and refreshing your real estate will be a whole lot simpler. Not only that but if you choose light neutral colours, they will give your property the illusion of spaciousness, which is always a big selling point.
Avoid cheaper fixtures and fittings
From door handles and letterboxes to lamps and lights, buying the very cheapest you can buy will save you money in the short-term, but you’re more likely to be called up by your tenants when they inevitably rust, snap or break in some way. Choosing affordable, but good quality fixtures and fittings will be a far better choice in the long-term. Chrome is good as it’s durable and affordable, but see what’s out there before you make your final decision.
Prevent mould
Mould is very common and it can be a real pain in the backside to deal with. Since you can’t control how often your tenants will have the windows open or the heating on, it makes sense to do what you can to prevent any future mould, whether that means treating and removing existing spots or using anti-mould paint additives when decorating. Yes, it may cost you a little more, but you’ll be glad of it when you don’t have to deal with a spreading mould problem a year down the line.
Go for dark carpets
If you plan to carpet your property, it’s a good idea to go for darker shades of brown, which will disguise any dirt and debris much more easily than lighter colours, so you won’t have to clean them quite so often.
Oh, and while we’re on the subject of carpet, the thicker the better. Again, thicker carpets may be more expensive, but they will stand up to wear and tear far better, which means they won’t need to be replaced as often. Using underlay is also a good idea for similar reasons.
Avoid wallpaper
Wallpaper is more likely to peel off and it’s almost impossible to remove stubborn marks and stains from it unless it happens to be a very high-quality washable style, which can be pretty expensive. That’s why it’s a good idea, as a landlord, to use paint throughout the home. If you really want to add some wallpaper, just put it on one feature wall so it’s a bit easier to remove and refresh as and when needed, but try to keep that as neutral as possible too lest it put your tenants off.
Keep it natural
If you need to install new skirting boards, doors, etc., it can be a good idea to simply stain them rather than painting them, Why? Because not only will they look great, but any knocks and scrapes won’t be quite as noticeable as they would if the wood was painted white, cream or some other light colour.
Decorating as a landlord doesn’t have to be stressful. The above tips will help you to get it right without spending a fortune or having to put a huge amount of ongoing time and effort into the process.
