Here’s a question every landlord should ask themselves occasionally.
Would you happily rent your own property?
Forget the monthly rental income for a moment. Ignore the fact you already know which cupboard door sticks and how long the shower takes to warm up.
Imagine you’re collecting the keys tomorrow.
This will be your home for the next year.
Would you be pleased with it?
It’s a simple question, but it can completely change how you look at a rental property.
Landlords and tenants notice different things
As a landlord, it’s natural to focus on the investment.
Rental income. Mortgage costs. Maintenance. Compliance. Long-term property values.
Tenants often view the same home through an entirely different lens.
Is it warm?
Is there enough storage?
Does the shower work properly?
Is the lighting good?
Does the property feel clean and cared for?
These everyday details rarely appear on an investment spreadsheet, but they can have a considerable influence on how someone feels about their home.
Small frustrations have a habit of adding up
Most tenants won’t leave because of one slightly tired wall or a kitchen drawer that doesn’t close properly.
The problem comes when small frustrations begin to accumulate.
Perhaps the boiler struggles on particularly cold mornings. The hallway is poorly lit. The flooring is looking worn. A minor maintenance issue has been mentioned several times but never quite resolved.
None of these problems feels particularly serious on its own.
Together, however, they can gradually change a tenant’s relationship with the property.
A home that once felt comfortable begins to feel neglected.
And that’s often when people start browsing property listings.
Good tenants are worth looking after
Finding a reliable tenant is valuable.
Replacing one can be expensive.
Even in a busy rental market, a change of tenancy can involve cleaning, repairs, safety checks, marketing, referencing and potentially a period without rental income.
There is also the time and uncertainty involved in finding the right person to move in next.
That’s why looking after a good tenant often makes financial sense as well as being the right thing to do.
A modest investment in maintaining a property can sometimes be considerably cheaper than dealing with regular tenant turnover.
Walk through the property with fresh eyes
The next time you’re at your rental property, try viewing it as though you’ve never seen it before.
Ask yourself:
- Would I be comfortable living here?
- Does anything feel tired or overlooked?
- If I were viewing today, what would I notice first?
- Are there small problems I’ve simply become used to?
- Would I happily commit to another year here?
The key is to answer honestly.
That doesn’t mean immediately spending thousands of pounds on a new kitchen or bathroom.
Often, the biggest improvements are surprisingly simple.
Small improvements can change how a home feels
A fresh coat of paint can make a tired room feel cared for again.
Better lighting can transform a dark hallway.
Replacing worn flooring can improve the appearance of an entire property.
Promptly dealing with maintenance shows tenants that their home matters.
These aren’t extravagant upgrades. They’re practical improvements that can make everyday life more comfortable.
And comfortable tenants often have more reasons to stay.
A rental property is still someone’s home
It’s easy to talk about rental properties as assets, investments and portfolios.
Financially, that’s understandable.
But every occupied rental property is also somebody’s home.
It’s where they return after work. Where they cook dinner, invite friends over and spend their weekends.
Landlords who remember the human side of property often create better experiences for their tenants and, in turn, more stable investments.
It reflects something we strongly believe at Location Location East: property transactions and relationships work better when people are treated fairly, honestly and with respect.
So, next time you visit your rental property, ask yourself one simple question.
Would I rent this?
If the answer is yes, you’re probably getting plenty right.
If you hesitate, perhaps it’s worth asking why.
Article by Andrew Overman | Partner | Location Location East
