Conversions

If you are a landlord or about to become a landlord, how you renovate your rental property will depend on two main factors: the location of your property and who you intend to rent your property out to.

If, for example, your property is in a not-so-sought-after area, chances are that the rental income you receive will not justify a large spend on renovating the property. Similarly, if you are renting it out to students, it’s unlikely that you’ll want to use Farrow & Ball paint or Miele appliances.

On the other hand, if your property is in an affluent area and your tenants are likely to be young couples or families, then you may not mind spending a bit more to make it look and feel truly homely and luxurious.

However, regardless of where your property is or who your tenant is, there are some elements you must consider for any property to receive the highest possible rental yield.

If you need any help with renovating your rental property, give us a call on 0208 191 7595 or better still, why not book us in for a FREE consultation.

1. Safety is no.1

As a landlord, you are legally required to providegas and electricity equipment and systems that are safe and installed by qualified suppliers. This is not an area to cut costs. Ensuring that your property is safe is your primary responsibility. Make sure you conduct all the gas and fire safety checks before renting it out.

PAT-test all white goods and electrical items by a qualified electrician.

If you are providing a furnished space, check all soft furnishings like sofa’s and upholstered chairs are fire-proof (they should have a label).

We recommend you conduct these safety checks before each new tenant moves in and provide the relevant certificates to your tenant as part of the tenancy documentation.

2. Make it look good

No one is going to rent a property that doesn’t appeal to the eye at the first instance. A bright, airy and clean property will attract the right tenants at the price you want. Make sure your property is thoroughly cleaned and upgraded in between tenants.

A deep clean of the property, newly washed windows, a coat of paint, new curtains perhaps and fresh plants will add to the look and feel of the property.

3. Think long-term

There are some things you MUST NOT compromise on whether your rental property is for a high-end tenant or not. These are:

Boilers – replacing a boiler is expensive and painful. We recommend you invest in a good quality boiler at the outset, installed by a qualified gas-safety certified engineer. A well-installed, good quality boiler can last at least 10-15 years.

Bathroom Fittings – Go for the good ones. Whilst you can cut costs on the ceramics (toilet, bath and sink), if you choose poor quality fittings, you are likely to receive regular calls from your tenants to repair leaks, change tap washers, shower heads and pipes.

Tiles – Tile all walls around a shower and bath, not just the bits you think will get wet. Overspray from a shower will damage walls, floors and decorations, and cost you a lot more than a couple of square metres of tiling.

4. Everyone loves storage

Give your tenants plenty of storage. This will allow them to keep the property clutter-free and tidy. Invest in building storage if you don’t have enough. Fitted cupboards, loft access, garage access, storage cupboards under the staircase and in-built bookshelves amongst others can give your tenants the space they need to neatly tuck their stuff out of sight.

5. Furniture & Flooring – strike a balance

When you are buying furniture for a rental property, you’ll have to strike a balance between choosing that which you love and that which is practical. Choose hard-wearing, good quality and aesthetically pleasing furniture, especially if you expect wear and tear.

We’ve always advised clients not to “go for the cheap.” Whilst, this may save you money in the short-term, you will pay for it in the long-term by needing to replace it sooner than you had expected.

Laminates are one of the best options for flooring for a rental property. Carpets are not practical. They can get extremely dirty and need regular replacing. We suggest you choose mid to top end laminate boards as they are more robust and need much less attention than real or engineered wood. Washed oak and French grey are very popular finishes these days.

6. Let there be light

A property that’s dark and dingy will put off any potential tenants. If there is not enough natural sunlight, install lamps and other forms of lighting to brighten up the place. You don’t need to spend a fortune on lighting. Go for neutral, plain coloured floor and table lamps that give the space a sense of airiness. If you have ceiling light fixtures, choose lampshades that face downwards to spread the light. Avoid large, ornate chandeliers that may not be to your tenant’s taste. The simpler the better.

As builders, we have worked with several clients on sprucing up their rental properties so that it looks great, but doesn’t break the bank. At the end of the day, if it looks and feel like a home, your tenants are likely to treat it as such.

Give us a call on 0208 191 7595 if you’d like to have a chat on how we can help you get your property tenant-ready.

Why not download our brochure to have a look at the kind of work we do?

If you are embarking on a property renovations project, planning is key. You need to have all the major players in place before you can break ground, including architects, interior designers, builders and surveyors. At SDA Build London, our years of experience working on high-end property renovation projects have taught us the importance of working together and managing all the components that are involved in a property renovation project. So, not only are we building contractors, but we can manage your entire build from start to finish, including helping you choose the right architects, designers and suppliers for your project.

Whilst we have worked with some of London’s most talented and creative architects and designers, we are happy to work with your architect or designer. It’s important that your builders, architects and designers work closely together as a team to achieve your vision.

One of the most important people in your property renovation project is your architect. Without him or her, there is no project. It’s vital therefore, to find an architect that shares your vision, has the necessary skills and creative flair to implement that vision and one that has a working style you can align yourself to.

7 questions to ask when choosing an architect 

(we suggest reviewing at least 3 accredited architects before taking a decision).

1. Have you worked in the local area?

Architects who have worked in the area are more likely to know the local planning rules and regulations. It’s important that they understand the local authority planning rules and regulations and know the latest building regulations required. If they don’t, their design might be great, but if it can’t be built, your money is wasted.

2. What are the size of projects you have done in the past?

Depending on the size of your project, you need to find out what kind of work the architect has done in the past. For example, if you need a complete rebuild of a large detached house, you don’t want someone whose biggest project has been a side extension. Make sure you see some of the work they have done first hand and speak to previous clients. Ask detailed questions on the architect’s ability to find solutions to problems that may arise during the build (they always do).

3. Can you project manage?

It’s one thing to create designs for a property renovation project, it’s altogether another thing to manage all the aspects of the project. You need to find out how the architect works. Does he or she give your contractor all the drawings and leaves it to them to implement, or is the architect hands on, managing the various aspects of the project themselves including the builders, electricians, building control surveyors, etc.? This also depends on how involved you want the architect to be in terms of project management.

4. Do you have any areas of specialisation?

Again, depending on the kind of work you are doing, you will need an architect who’s experienced in what you need. For example, basement conversion specialists, restoration or preservation specialists, green energy specialists or any other area of expertise that needs specialist treatment.

5. What would you do with my project?

Whilst you may have an idea of what you want, does the architect make recommendations and suggestions? You can gauge an architect’s interest in a project by the time spent at your property in the first meeting, whether they listen to you and whether they have any immediate suggestions. Don’t expect them to give you all their thoughts before you officially hire them, but you should be able to assess their enthusiasm.

6. Do you work with a specific structural engineer?

Architects and structural engineers work closely with each other and most architects have their own structural engineers they like to work with. Find out how many projects they have worked on together.

7. How well do you manage timescales?

One of the most annoying aspects for a contractor is to have to chase architects and structural engineers for drawings and often projects are unnecessarily delayed because the architect has not sent the relevant drawings to your builder. Make sure the architect is responsive via email or mobile and comes back with answers to your queries in a timely manner or you will spend considerable amounts of time chasing for drawings and responses to any issues that may crop up.

Hiring an architect is one of the most important decisions you will make in your property renovation project. Make sure you do your homework by asking for references from previous clients and builders they have worked it. Make sure they are accredited by RIBA or any of the other industry accreditation bodies.

The SDA Build London team work with experienced architects that have a variety of specialisations. If you are thinking about a property renovation project, give us a call on 0208 191 7595 or email us at enquiries@sdabuildlondon.co.uk for a chat.

Why not book a FREE (no obligation) consultation? A member of our team will come around to your property, assess your needs, make some recommendations and provide you with a quote.