From Bathroom to Bedroom and Beyond: A Room-by-Room Guide to What Tenants Want Or What Tenants Look for in a Rental: A Room-By-Room Guide

What gives a rental property that extra something special that makes it stand out on the market?

A new survey of 500 tenants in the UK answers that very question.

The study, conducted by insurer Simply Business, asked tenants to nominate their favourite features on a room-by-room basis.

The results reveal that practicality and convenience trump fancy finishes and gadgets.

Bathroom

Perhaps it’s understandable (especially for those sharing with several other people) that good ventilation topped the list of most wanted features in the bathroom (41% of respondents listed it as their number one priority).

Good water pressure (40%) and modern features (21%) came in second and third, while heated towel rails were back at 11%.

Bedroom

In the bedroom, space proved to be critical, with 67% of tenants saying they wanted room for a  double bed. Natural light (46%) and built-in wardrobes (45%) were also top priorities.

Kitchen

In the kitchen, tenants have a strong preference for the practical. Sufficient countertop space was rated the most sought-after feature (50%), followed by good storage (41%) and natural light (40%). Kitchen islands rated just 10%.

Living room

Large windows topped tenants’ living room wish list with 43%, followed by space to accommodate a corner sofa (27%) and French doors or outdoor access (26%).

Outside features

Renters also revealed the outdoor features that they’d be willing to pay more for.

It’s no secret that gardens are popular with tenants, and the survey reinforced this with 44% of respondents prioritising outdoor leisure space. Parking (31%), a garage (24%) and energy-efficiency features (21%) all earned a mention, too.

Keeping your rental up-to-date

While the survey provides landlords with a useful blueprint of tenant preferences, nothing quite beats talking to your tenants and your letting agent.

If you’re planning to upgrade your property, it’s useful to have insight from the people who live in it every day.

That doesn’t mean bending to your tenant’s every whim or promising something that you can’t (or don’t want to) deliver, but you may be surprised how small, inexpensive changes could make a big difference.

Your letting agent is also a good source of information. They’ll know what other properties on the market offer in terms of finish and can provide you with commercially savvy advice.

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