How a property presents at viewing stage has a direct, measurable effect on how quickly it lets — and the changes that make the biggest difference are often inexpensive and quick to make, rather than requiring significant investment.
Start with basic presentation. Clear away clutter in shared or communal areas, and make sure every light in the property works — a surprising number of viewings happen in the evening after work, when a property with even one dead bulb can feel noticeably less appealing than one that’s fully lit. A genuine, thorough clean makes more difference than most landlords expect, particularly in kitchens and bathrooms, which tend to be the areas prospective tenants scrutinise most closely.
Fix the small things that read as neglect. A dripping tap, a door handle that doesn’t quite catch, a cupboard door hanging slightly off its hinge — none of these are expensive to fix, but left unaddressed they signal a level of overall property maintenance that’s disproportionate to how minor the individual issue actually is. Prospective tenants tend to extrapolate from small visible problems to assume there may be bigger, less visible ones.
Consider basic staging for an empty property. Completely empty rooms are notoriously difficult for people to judge accurately for size and layout — a modest amount of staging, even just curtains, a rug and a small amount of furniture in the main living space, can help viewers picture themselves actually living there in a way bare walls and floors rarely achieve.
Photography matters more than most landlords assume. A property that photographs poorly generates fewer viewing enquiries regardless of how good it actually looks in person, simply because most prospective tenants filter and shortlist based on photos before ever arranging to view. Good natural light, a tidy and properly staged space at the point of photography, and photos taken with a reasonably wide angle all make a measurable difference to enquiry volume.
Timing the viewing itself. Where possible, schedule viewings for times when the property shows at its best — natural light during the day where the property benefits from it, or with all lighting on and curtains closed for an evening viewing if that’s when demand is highest. Small details like this cost nothing and consistently improve how a property is received.
General information for landlords. Property Lounge, Guildford.
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