Are You A Rogue Landlord - What Do Tenants Really Want? on 18th Sep 2024Ok, let’s get to the bottom of this as simply as possible shall we?The definition of a Rogue Landlord is a property owner that KNOWINGLY disregard the law, refuse to repair housing problems, and don't care about their tenants needs or health! It's not something any Landlord wants to be know as, its not the type of Landlord any Property Manager wants to take on board, and its not the type of Landlord any Tenant wants to have!In this blog we are going to look at the actual needs of our Tenants and how we at E&M Property Solutions support and help our Landlords to achieve these needs.When tenants search for a rental property, their expectations can differ significantly based on whether they are HMO (House in Multiple Occupation) tenants or Single Let tenants. Both types have unique requirements and preferences that landlords need to understand to create a welcoming, safe, and compliant environment for them to call home.HMO Tenants1. Property - Room Size and Layout: To a HMO tenant their bedroom is where they are going to spend the majority of their time so it makes sense that they will look for rooms that are spacious enough for their needs, with plenty of storage. Whats more they want a nice clean, fresh, modern room, something that feels like comfort and home. At E&M Property Solutions we have access to an interior designer and offer a package deal to Landlords to help transform a dull basic room into a desirable, eye catching room, and each time we do it, those rooms are snapped up and filled! Appearance and lay out mean a lot! - Shared Amenities: Communal areas such as kitchens and living rooms should be well-equipped and maintained. Simple things like ensuring there are enough plates, cups and cutlery for everyone, through to more important areas such as having the correct number of appliances to keep up to code and standard! Remember these tenants are sharing, but being ahead of the curve and providing enough good quality equipment in your communal areas means happy tenants, less disputes and more likely a longer rental! E&M Property Solutions can help you know exactly what you need in your HMO in order to be up to code, and we also offer a full furnishing package so you can rest easy, knowing its all taken care of. - Facilities: Laundry facilities, internet access, and added perks such as communal cleaners are highly valued. These facilities come as standard when E&M Property Solutions Manages your HMO, why, because we listen to our tenants and this is what they want. Complimentary High speed wifi, somewhere to wash and dry their clothes and an added bonus of a communal cleaner, to help keep in top of those shared areas!2. Condition - Maintenance: The property should be well-maintained and free from any hazardous conditions. We cant emphasise enough just how important this is! In order to keep your tenants and in order to be a legal landlord, you must constantly ensure your property is safe! Yes it is up to tenants to ensure they are playing their part, but at the end of the day, Landlords its down to you. Compliancy is key! Fix that damp problem, fix that dodgy light switch, fix that broken garden gate.But if you’re not living there, how do you know there’s a problem? E&M Property Solutions manage hundreds of HMO Rooms around Burnley, Preston, Blackburn and Lancaster and we have found the best way to ensure everything is up to scratch. E&M implement a user friendly app which our team, the tenants and the landlord has access to, we inspect every HMO each quarter and give a full report including photos, we then have a team to fix any fault. As well as this, tenants are able to report any problems on the app which we can then get fixed asap. The sooner a problem is found and fixed the less damage it causes and the easier the solution is! - Furnishings: Quality and adequate furniture in shared spaces can impact tenant satisfaction. Let’s be honest, nobody wants to live with uncomfortable make do furniture. What is the point of a communal area that is un-inviting and unfit for purpose. Landlords if you’re struggling with this get in touch, and our in house furnisher can help you out! - Cleanliness: Regular cleaning and upkeep of shared areas are essential. There is nothing worse than getting paid a visit by some unfriendly pests, rats, mice or ants. Blocked drains causing leaks and bad smells. Landlords do you have things in place to help combat this? Having rules and guidelines for your tenants regarding cleanliness is essential, have it in writing in your contract who is responsible for what. Perhaps sweeten the deal by having a communal cleaner once a month to help keep on top of things like we do at E&M.3. Regulations - Licensing: Landlords must have proper HMO licenses and comply with local regulations. This is the most important point. The consequences of none compliancy can break landlords, there are huge fines involved, for instance safety certification breaches lead to fines of up to £30,000! None compliancy with HMO Licensing, Illegal Renting, Breaching Tenancy Fees and Not protecting a tenants deposit again can all lead to huge fines. Landlords can also face prosecution for harassment or illegal eviction, which can result in unlimited fines and even imprisonment. Landlords, if you are unsure about anything, please don’t get caught out, contact the team at E&M Property Solutions for guidance and advice, we are more than happy to help! - Safety Standards: Fire safety measures (smoke alarms, fire doors, etc.) and compliance with health standards are crucial. These things often get over looked, simply because Landlords are unaware of what they actually need, double check everything, just to make sure you are good to go. Keeping your tenants safe and secure should be your top priority, don’t skimp on safety!4. Security - Access : When there are more tenants, there are more keys. Ensure that it is in the contract who is responsible for lost keys. Security is a risk, make sure you have the right locks on your HMO doors to adhere to regulations! - Personal Security: Individual room locks and secure, well-lit communal areas contribute to a sense of safety.5. Area and Locality - Accessibility: Proximity to public transport is crucial for many HMO tenants, often young professionals or students. - Amenities: Availability of supermarkets, gyms, and convenience stores nearby increases 6. Work - Areas near major employment hubs or with good transport links are often preferred. E&M Property Solutions offer bespoke area tours for investors who live away, showing them the local areas, with key good investment properties within walking distance to major employment industries. Location is everything!Ok, so that’s what our HMO Tenants are Looking for and we’ve also given some suggestions on how Landlords can achieve this. Now let’s move on to Single Let Tenants, this is generally easier, as there are less hoops to jump through.Single Let Tenants1. Property - Home-like Feel: Tenants typically desire a more homely, modern environment with a private garden or outside space. Being able to add their own decoration and finishing touches really makes tenants feel at home, is this something you are happy with as a Landlord? - Space: Separate bedrooms and living areas with adequate facilities are preferred. Single Lets are often taken by a couple or a family, having a good layout is key. The position of the bathroom and the layout of the bedrooms can all add to the desirability of a property.2. Condition - High Standards: No tenant would be happy with an ever growing damp patch on the ceiling, a leaking radiator, a broken door, a dripping tap, ensuring maintenance is up to scratch is the top of any tenants radar. Which means tenants having easy access to the landlord to report any issues. A well-presented property with cozy decor and good interiors attracts long-term tenants. Having a management company like E&M Property Solutions can take a lot of stress away from landlords as we already have methods in place to deal with such issues. - Appliances: Modern appliances such as a cooker and hob or a washing machine in kitchens and a fully fittted bathroom can be a deciding factor, appearance and functionality is key.3. Regulations - Health & Safety Compliance: Compliance with safety regulations (gas and electrical safety checks, energy performance certificates) is non-negotiable, if your unsure of what you need, get in touch with a member of the E&M team for guidance. - Lease Clarity: A clear, fair lease agreement outlining tenant rights and responsibilities is essential. Tenants need to know what they are and aren’t allowed to do within the property they are renting. Things such as, decorating, working from home, pets, garden maintenance need to be clarified to stop disputes later on.4. Security - Home Security: Alarm systems, window locks, and security lighting contribute to a sense of safety. - Neighbourhood Safety: Tenants will prioritise areas with low crime rates, something to consider when purchasing your buy to Let.5. Area and Locality - Family-Friendly Environment: Consideration for good neighborhoods with playgrounds and family-oriented amenities. - Transport Links: Proximity to public transport and major roads increases desirability especially for tenants that don’t drive. Equally important for those that do drive is having somewhere safe to park the car, whether that’s on the road side or on a private driveway. All things to consider.6. Schools - Quality of local schools is critical, particularly for families with children. - Availability of childcare facilities and educational institutions can be attractive.7. Work - Length and quality of commute to major employment centers are important factors.8. Things to Do - Recreational facilities, local parks, restaurants, and cultural spots contribute to a vibrant lifestyle. - Community events and local activities can enhance tenant satisfaction.So that is what tenants look for most when renting a property, whether HMO or Single Let, and how Landlords can meet those requirements. Creating an environment where tenants feel welcome, safe, secure, and heard requires meeting and exceeding these expectations. Both HMO and Single Let tenants prioritise safety, maintenance, and location but differ in requirements related to space, communal facilities, and regulations. By understanding this, landlords can implement effective management strategies, communicate openly, and foster a positive tenant experience. This not only aids in retaining tenants but also builds a positive reputation, leading to more demand for their properties.We hear so many Landlord/ Tenant horror stories and yet it really never has to get that far. E&M Property Solutions Won the Gold Award for Lettings in Burnley 2023/ 2024 from the British Property Awards and we know all of the ins and outs. We have strategies and procedures in place to ensure a smooth and successful renting experience. Property Management with E&M can save landlords so much time, expense and stress, there is always something that we can do to help! So Landlords dont struggle alone, get in touch and follow the advice in this article, don't fall into the catagory of being a Rogue Landlord!
