Empty promise: turn a vacant spell into a brighter future for your buy-to-let

An empty rental property doesn’t have to be a downer. In fact, having some time between tenancies gives you the chance to optimise your investment's rental yield, sales value, and future popularity.

That said, vacant homes do have some extra risks and management that you don't need to think about when your property has a tenant.

This means that an empty buy-to-let comes with both opportunity and organisation, plus a varied menu of things to consider, including:

- Spicing up the specification
- Rooting out repairs
- Presenting a fresh face
- Blitzing the admin
- Protecting your property

So whether you're making improvements to turn a greater profit, or just keeping things in check until the next tenancy begins, this week's blog is jam-packed with expert tips and tricks.

SPICE UP THE SPEC
It's always worth reviewing your property's appeal to attract the highest calibre of tenants. By adapting to changing expectations, your investment will continue to give you sustainable and profitable returns.

- Say goodbye to mixer taps with leaky shower hoses and fluctuating water temperatures by fitting a powerful thermostatic shower to provide a modern and civilised experience.

- Add a dishwasher if there isn't one, and swap outdated appliances for energy-efficient – and often tax-deductible – replacements. Choose well-regarded brands like Bosch, Siemens and AEG.

- Consider fitted wardrobes for space-efficient, stylish and serene bedrooms. Floor-to-ceiling designs swallow more than freestanding pieces and avoid messy piles of stuff on the top.

- Make your property more eco-friendly and cheaper to run with measures like sealing drafts around windows and doors, upgrading insulation, and installing room thermostats.

- Think about injecting a designer edge with aesthetic upgrades like swapping cheap laminate floors for engineered oak or replacing standard radiators with sleek contemporary models.

Get in touch if you'd like some advice on the smart places to spend your money. High-paying long-term tenants are our goal for every landlord, and we'd love to help you optimise your rental.

ROOT OUT REPAIRS
Wear and tear gradually takes its toll on every property, and little things can go unnoticed over the years. But no tenant wants to live in a broken rental home, so wander around yours to see what needs fixing.

- Look around the outside for any slipped roof tiles or slates, clogged gutters, cracked downpipes, and blocked drains.

- Check all your internal doors and windows for loose handles and locks, and make sure the key turns easily in the front door without needing a knack.

- Inspect any window treatments you've supplied to make sure they all function properly, from pole fixings and hooks to pull strings: sagging curtains and crooked blinds are a very sad look.

Some of these might seem like minor details, but the comedy of a wobbly door knob coming off in the hand of a potential tenant can soon turn into doubts about what else might fall apart after they move in.

PRESENT A FRESH FACE
What would you pay more money for? A home that feels fresh, or one that feels stale? Of course, that’s a rhetorical question, so here’s how to breathe new life into the decor for a bright and airy atmosphere.

- Inspect the edges of carpets and behind doors for black lines from dust buildup, then have them professionally steamed.

- Cast your eye over walls, skirting boards, window frames and doors for stains and scuffs, then wash them down or repaint where necessary.

- Check the sealant and grouting in kitchens and bathrooms, and for peeling paint or mould above showers and cooking zones, then use white vinegar to remove black stains.

You really can't beat a property that feels crisp and clean. As well as adding value, a sense of newness attracts the best tenants and gives them confidence that your buy-to-let is the one they want to live in.

BLITZ THE ADMIN
As soon as your rental property becomes vacant, its daily welfare and all the bills switch back to you, so use the following checklist to avoid any unwanted surprises.

- Put the utilities like gas, water and electricity into your name to avoid angry calls from former tenants later on, or inadvertently getting cut off.

- Contact the local authority to give them your tenant’s forwarding address, moving-out date, and where to send the bill for the period your property is empty.

- Confirm with your buildings and contents insurers that your property is covered while vacant - many providers automatically drop their cover for unoccupied homes after 30 days.

If any of that sounds like a chore, remember that a managing agent can do all of this for you. So, if you like the idea of delegating it all away while you get on with life, give us a call!

PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY
While your buy-to-let remains empty, there are some simple steps you can take to keep it inviting for viewings, minimise the risk of damage, and prevent intruders.

- Programme the heating to come on for an hour each day to take the chill off showing tenants around, and to avoid freezing pipes during colder spells.

- Turn off any appliances, and leave the doors ajar on the fridge, freezer, washing machine and dishwasher to prevent unpleasant odours and mould.

- Set the burglar alarm, lock everything up, and give clear instructions to any letting agent with a key on leaving your property secure after every viewing.

Having all this in place will give you valuable peace of mind: not just that your investment will look, feel and smell its best, but also that everyone entering your property will be authorised by you.

What's next for your empty buy-to-let?
If you have a vacant rental property in Launceston and want to explore how much you can increase its income-earning potential, why not get in touch?

We're here to help you maximise the performance of your investment, so call us on 01566 818180 or message us at lettings@athelstans.co.uk for a chat with one of our team.