When to Start Advertising: Occupied or Not

When it’s time to re-let your property you have 2 options.

Wait until the property is vacant, or go ahead with a couple of viewings while the property is still tenanted.

The choice you have will depend somewhat on your current tenant and the condition they are keeping the property in. It’s certainly easier to wait until the property is vacant, though of course you will likely be looking at a longer vacancy period.

Here are 4 tips for showing an occupied property

1. Organise access upfront.

In order to make everyone lives easier, it is best to organise a couple of times a week and run those same times so everyone knows what to expect.

2. Remind the current occupant.

Even though this has been organised already, it is considerate to remind the current occupant that you will be by on DAY at TIME for a viewing, which is expected to take 10 – 20 minutes.

3. Ask nicely.

The tenants legally have to allow reasonable access, though this is to be balanced with ‘peaceful enjoyment’ of the property. We suggest no more than 3, 15 minute viewing slots a week during working hours for occupied properties. Ask your tenant nicely to please keep the property tidy and secure any animals – do understand we can ask but cannot insist on this.

4. Combine viewings.

To avoid being too intrusive, have prospective tenants book into pre arranged times. They can all come to the same viewing together.

If you have a bad or disgruntled tenant it would be wise to wait until they have moved out before you start viewings. Even if they agree to the viewing, they might try to sabotage.

Where possible, if you have built a good working relationship with your tenant, it is definitely more profitable to show an occupied unit. With clear communication and general manners, your current tenant shouldn’t mind.

What is your job at viewings?

Turn up just before the viewing time, open up the property, lights on, curtains/blinds open. Especially if the property is still occupied or it is furnished, take each group through one at a time, walk them through the property, point out any features or inclusions such as furnishings and whiteware. Explain the move in costs, application process and any special terms.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this publication is exclusively for promotional purposes and is not to be relied upon for legal or contractual dealings. Tenant Source recommends you seek independent legal advice, and that you may need to seek technical or other advice and information prior to making any actions in regards to tenancies in your investment properties. Tenant Source Ltd including its staff and directors accepts no responsibility for any issues arising as a result of taking advice from this publication.