‘Finding A Tenant’ Guide For Landlords- How To Find Tenants

Written by The Landlord on 01 Feb 2012

Are you struggling to find a tenant or simply looking for the most efficient methods of finding a tenant? It’s a common problem a lot of landlords face and it can be extremely frustrating. I’ve been there; it’s a horrible place to be because every day a property remains vacant, the more it is costing me. However, over the years I’ve learnt how to minimize the amount of time a property remains vacant by using the methods and practises listed below.

Below is a few ideas on how a landlord can maximize the chances of finding tenants quickly and effectively, subsequently minimizing the amount of time a property remains unoccupied.

Market your property on the biggest property portals online, like Rightmove

This is by far the best and most cost effective way of finding tenants, in my opinion.

Private landlords can’t directly put their vacant property on websites like Rightmove and PropertyFinder, but an online letting agent can, and at very little cost. Here’s a list of websites that will allow you to advertise your rental on Rightmove.

These websites will charge a small premium for the service, but from my experience, it’s worth it.

Make sure your property is well presented

It goes without saying that no one wants to live in a miserable bucket of turd. Before taking viewings, make sure the place looks clean and smells clean. And, don’t neglect the garden :)

A well presented property will get snapped up quickly as long as the price is right. Remember, there’s no point taking viewings if you don’t have anything decent to sell, otherwise you’ll be wasting everyones time, including your own.

Use free BTL property portals

Here’s a list of websites where you can advertise your vacant BTL for free.

Property Wanted

Check out Gumtree and Craigslist in the “flats/houses wanted” section. Some tenants simply want to sit back and relax while landlords approach them.

Check that you’re being realistic with your asking price

Look at other similar properties in the same area as your property, and see what the going rates are. You can use your local newspaper or websites like Rightmove to get the information you need.

Check to see if other landlords are offering a better product for a better rate. If you’re being unrealistic with your rent, you won’t get much interest.

Don’t be scared to lower rent

Remember, losing a few months worth of rent can be more expensive than lowering your rent by £30 a month. Don’t be scared to lower your asking price; be competitive.

Consider being more liberal

A lot of landlords refuse to give tenancy to tenants with either DSS Tenants or Tenants with pets. Consider being more accommodating and you’ll open up your target audience. For example, according to a recent survey by the Dogs Trust, 78% of pet owners have experienced difficulty finding accommodation which accepts pets. And accoridng to ‘Pet Friendly Rentals’ by not accepting pets, you will be decreasing your potential market by 50%

If you are a liberal landlord, ensure you promote it in your advertising campaigns.

Willing to house DSS tenants? Go to your local council

If you don’t know what a DSS tenant is, go here DSS Tenants.

Your local council will have plenty of people on benefits that need housing. If you’re willing to house a DSS tenant, then contact your local council and let them know. They may be able to find you a tenant at NO COST. Each council operates differently regarding DSS Tenants, but it’s always worth finding out if they can point you in the direction of tenants that need housing.

It’s also worth mentioning in your adverts that you’re willing to house DSS Tenants. Fewer landlords are starting to accept DSS Tenants, so they’re finding it difficult to find accommodation. From my experience, the disclaimer, “DSS WELCOME” tends to drastically perk up interest, especially when advertising on Gumtree.

Provide tenants with incentives

Spend a little extra money by giving your prospective tenants incentives to choose your property over someone else’s. Incentives like free broadband and/or digital TV are always desirable features.

Much like with lowering rent, it may save you money in the long run if it means occupying your property quicker by offering perks.

More details: Provide tenants with incentives

Use as many letting agents as you can

If you want to use a letting agent, then don’t limit yourself to one letting agent. Your ultimate goal should be to give your property as much exposure as possible to ensure maximum publicity. Use as many letting agents as you can find in your local area. Unlike when selling property, there are no penalties for using multiple agents.

Make sure letting agents are doing their job properly

There are a lot of lazy cowboys in this industry that won’t lift a finger until you apply some pressure. Make sure your letting agent is pro-actively hunting down tenants for you- keep in regular contact so you can monitor their progress.

Make sure your adverts are clear, relevant and appealing

Regardless of whether you’re personally advertising your property or relying on a letting agent to do the graft, you need to make sure any advert you put out there is appealing and informative. Your adverts will be the key to getting your enquiries because they’re representing your property, so it’s important you make them just right.

Bad Advertise Example

Good Advertise Example

Which one would you want to view? Pictures and relevant information sell. Be informative about as much as you can. Use your own judgement to provide details on features that you think will help sell your property e.g. local transport.

Update your Facebook/MySpace status

Most people these days are involved with a social media platform, whether it be Facebook or MySpace. The great thing with these social networking sites, Facebook in particular, is that they provide a quick and easy way of connecting with all your local friends and family.

I’ve actually found a tenant in the past by setting my Facebook status to:

“2 bedroom property for rent in Church Langley, Harlow. £775pcm. Anyone interested, or know anyone interested?”

The thing is, you NEVER know who is looking for a property to rent, or who knows someone who is looking to rent. Spreading the word amongst your local peers via Facebook is always worthwhile.

Ultimate Guide On Finding Tenants

For a complete and detailed guide on how to find tenants without a letting agent, you may want to purchase my Ebook – Death Of The Agent, The Ultimate Guide On Finding Tenants without An Agent.

4 Comments - join the conversation...

Marita2012-03-11 04:01:56 I am landlady and I think there are too many irhgts for tenants and too many responsibilities for landlords. It is anfair game. Landlords always lose! You pay mortgage, insurance, tax, repair house and tenant just enjoy quit living! Ah! They do not want to pay rent, damage house, have parties, change locks and they are still upset! Unbelievable! If I knew that I would be treated so badly by tenants, builders, insurance companies then I would never become a landlord myself. I help them, I clean houses myself, I paint, I wallpaper them, I fit new carpets all the time. And they split in my face, they use and abuse all that. I do not go to houses without permission but they still change locks. Windows smashed, laminate dissapered but I can not go to house even to see what repairs need to be done. Why? Because tenants never owned house and they have no idea that house needs repairs so why they should let you ever in? Tenants do not answer phones, do not open door, do not care to respond on your letters! Who are you? Landlord? Get out!' 1

Joe2012-03-23 16:01:30 Marita
You have just been unlucky, Im disabled due to an Industrial accident and dss pay my rent,I have never bothered my landlord for anything and little repairs we do our selves, even fixing a burst radiator, etc,
I have my rent paid direct to my landlord and have never saw the letting agents for 5 years and deal directly with my landlord.
I was brought up to respect other peoples property and see my house as my home. my landlord has not put up my rent in 5 years and I am really happy and he is as well.
You will come across decent people who will look after your property as if it were their own and yearly checks will not be needed, dont think ive ever had one but my landlort turns up with gas inspenction yearly and can see how the property is then, he never goes upstairs which is nice as it shows trust and just asks if everything is alright.
I would never dream of damaging anything as he has been a good landlord and I have tried to repay his trust.
What you need in your property is decent people, meet them face to face and judge yourself dont trust a letting agent to vet people, trust your instinct. 2

Joe2012-03-23 16:09:49 Maria, your bit about the locks, yes the first thing I did when I came into the property is change the locks, I dont know who the last tennants were, it turns out they were crooks and after they left took mobile phone comtracts out at my address etc, Any person that moves into a new house should always change the locks for safety and security,
Idont know why you would have a problem with that, if my landlord wanted a copy then thats no problem but he will get all keys when we leave if we ever do.
The fact that you mention changing locks make me think that you expect trouble tennants.
\you have to meet tennants and go with your instinct, you should want them to change locks and feel safe and treat your property with respect as though it was their own house. 3

Sarah Ellis2012-05-01 12:06:09 Joe....if only ALL tenants were like you!

' I was brought up to respect other peoples property and see my house as my home. my landlord has not put up my rent in 5 years and I am really happy and he is as well. '

As a Landlord with two properties, I have had my share of bad tenants, sadly they are the ones who get all the limelight!
I have now started to use ratemytenant.co.uk to list my previous good tenants, I found the link from another article on this site.
First class tenants deserve to be recognised, to hell with the bad ones!! 4