What Your Prospective Tenant Looks For In A Property

You can make all the right choices when buying an investment property, but when it comes to luring high quality tenants, if your property doesn’t have what they want, then may find you're going to struggle.

With some insight and a little extra effort you can make it much easier to attract and keep those perfect tenants, so your future as a landlord is prosperous and peaceful.

What A Quality Tenant Wants

1. Location

One desirable feature that will always rate high on a tenant’s radar is location. When seeking out a new place to live, people always choose their location first. They’ll also pay substantially more to live in a highly desirable areas. That’s why the CBD, inner city suburbs and popular lifestyle spots, are always in demand - access to transport, less time travelling and more amenities at their disposal.

2. Security

Just like you, your tenants want to feel safe and secure. Properties with alarm systems and quality locks in place, have a positive impact and also make it easier for tenants to get insurance. Plus, if a tenant feels safe in their property, they’ll more inclined to stay long term – which is exactly what every investor wants. 

3. Bedrooms

The number of bedrooms in a property is literally a make or break decision for tenants. A wise investor will seek out a property that offers the ideal number of bedrooms for the target market so it can compete in the rental arena. For example, a family-friendly area will have a high demand for three or more bedrooms, whereas an inner city apartment with two bedrooms, could be the hot ticket item for a tenancy in another area.

4. Parking

Despite the fact of whether they drive to work or not, most tenants own a motor vehicle. That’s why off-street or undercover parking helps attract a wider range of tenants. Check out most tenancy applications and security garages, off street parking, and parking spaces are high up on their must-have list. It’s also a wise move for a property investor, as it will also increase the resale cost of the property for the future.

5. Storage

Tenants often get caught out having insufficient storage. They find themselves paying for expensive extra storage or having to sacrifice garage space to store extra items and sporting equipment. If you can offer them a property with an abundance of storage space, then you’re onto a winner.

6. Air Conditioning

Installing a reverse-cycle air conditioner won’t necessarily increase your home’s sale value, but it will definitely make it more appealing to tenants.  Often, you’ll be able to charge slightly more for a place with air conditioning - and in a climate that is becoming hotter each year, it is a small luxury most tenants will go the extra mile for. 

7. Modern Kitchens & Bathrooms

Both renters and buyers strongly consider the condition of the bathroom and kitchen when assessing a property. Although it may not be the final deciding factor, most renters prefer to live in a modern or updated home. Renovating a bathroom or kitchen doesn’t have to cost a fortune, yet can make a dramatic difference in both presentation and value.  

8. Outdoor Areas

We live in a beautiful country with a penchant for outdoor living, so its no surprise tenants adore a property with a wonderful outlook and some entertaining space. A balcony, deck, courtyard or even small garden terrace, can add considerable value to a property, and often be the difference between a high stack of applications or zero interest.

9. Creature Comforts

Those home comforts you appreciate, are often the little things that have tenants more than willing to pay extra for. Think what you could add to your investment to make it more liveable. It could be overhead fans, flyscreens and security doors, washing machines and dryers, a dishwasher, solar panels to help save electricity costs or regular garden maintenance at no extra cost.

10. Pet Friendly Property

Speaking of creatures, a high priority for many tenants today, is a pet friendly home. As it becomes more and more difficult to become a home owner in Australia, the number of apartment dwellers has increased, along with the demand for pet friendly accommodation. Allowing your property to accommodate for a pet, may be just the competitive edge it needs. To ensure your investment is still maintained well, your property manager can help you put a strategy in place to ensure you only accept responsible pet owners, with a provision for flea control included in the lease conditions. 

11. Connectivity

If your property suits first-time renters, then having a property with NBN connection is bound to keep them happy. As the rollout of the new NBN network continues, there will be more people demanding they have access in their home. You also have a great number of tenants who work from home, so offering them a NBN friendly space, makes it a more attractive and convenient living option.