How should you present a flat to let?

A flat owner who wants their listing to succeed on the rental market, and the property to have tenants at all times, should be a pretty good marketer. These days it is increasingly difficult to compete on price or location; that is why the way our flat is presented turns out to be so important. How can we charm potential tenants?

The devil – and a successful presentation – is in the detail

It is increasingly hard to stand out on the secondary market. Many owners are well aware of how important it is to emphasise the advantages of their property; clients will not necessarily be convinced by praise of the flat's location, since they may well have several other options in the same area. And with each of them they will hear about a good location. So how can we stand out? Through attention to detail.

When inviting a potential tenant to view the flat, let us remember that many people pay particular attention to how the kitchen and bathroom look. Why? Because these are the places where it is easiest to overlook something – dust, grimy tiles or unsightly food crumbs can make our flat lose its appeal in an instant. The first thing we should therefore take care of is keeping everything tidy. The kitchen and bathroom should shine – and show that they are ready for everyday use. Lighting will play a big role here – ideally bright lighting, which will not only draw attention to all the room's merits, but also show that we have nothing to hide. It is also worth taking care of the "props" – white, clean towels in the bathroom will make it look ready for use; neatly arranged plates and a tidy fridge in the kitchen will play the same role. And let us not forget about smell – it is worth investing in an air freshener.

Moving on to the other rooms, let us make sure that everything is one hundred per cent in working order. Creaking doors or flickering lamps put people off rather than adding charm. It is also worth putting away personal belongings in the living room – holiday photos, for example. Plants, which create a pleasant atmosphere, will work much better in their place.

Let us be honest and friendly – first impressions count

Every estate agent attaches great importance to presenting themselves well – flat owners should follow suit. The first impression we personally make on a client may be the first step towards their signing the agreement.

Tenants expect above all honesty. Admittedly, it is worth emphasising the advantages of our flat, but overdoing it is usually off-putting. Mentioning minor flaws in our property will show the client that we really care that they choose the flat that is ideal for their needs.

Finally, it is worth simply being… friendly. This is good advice in any situation – including when presenting a flat. That way, we let the tenant see that the flat's owner is someone who cares that their property ends up in good hands, and for whom not only profit matters, but also the comfort of tenants – they are the most important to us.