For most landlords, the goal of a rental property is to make money. But maintaining a property can be expensive, especially when tenants are moving in and out. One way to ease the financial burden of this process is to create a durable, low maintenance property that will stand up to wear and tear more effectively.
Here are a few ways you can save money while also providing a comfortable and attractive property for your tenants.
Avoid matte white paint
There’s a temptation to paint the entire property white to give the illusion of freshness and space. However, white shows up marks and stains far more than a darker shade, meaning that it requires repainting more often.
Instead, you can choose a neutral colour such as a light grey or beige which still opens up each room but masks stains more efficiently. You should also choose a paint that is hard-wearing and will stand the test of time for longer. This is particularly key in areas where spillages are likely, such as the kitchen.
Keep the colour palette consistent
Painting each room a different colour creates a lot of visual interest in your property, but it’s more costly and more difficult to maintain. It can also be off-putting for some tenants, as you might choose colours that aren’t to everyone’s taste.
It’s a good idea to keep the colour of the walls and trims simple and neutral to appeal to a broader audience, and to use the same colour throughout all of your investment properties. This will keep upkeep costs down and will also make it easier to touch up chips or marks quickly if you need to get a property ready for new tenants.
Stick with laminate worktops
The kitchen is an area of the home that’s subjected to a lot of wear and tear, and if you’re not careful with the materials you choose, you could find yourself replacing fixtures regularly as a result.
Wooden worktops might look great, but they’re not a great investment in a rental property, especially around sinks as tenants might not be vigilant about keeping them dry and well-cared for. Plastic laminates are easier to maintain and are an affordable solution for rental properties. Laminate worktops work best for busy and messy households since they require less maintenance, they’re easy to clean and don’t need additional treatments.
Choose large tiles
Dainty details like mosaic tiles might look aesthetically-pleasing in a kitchen or bathroom, but they can be a burden to repair or replace if they become damaged. Larger tiles minimise the amount of grouting required, which can become mouldy if it’s not maintained properly, plus they’re neutral so they’ll withstand passing trends without looking dated.
If possible, choose a darker grout which will stay looking cleaner for longer, unlike white grout which can look drab fairly quickly.
Pick plain cupboards
Grooves and details on kitchen cupboards can become a haven for dirt and grime if they’re not cleaned regularly. Plain cupboard doors are a low maintenance alternative that won’t look dated and can be cleaned or re-painted easily if need be. They’re also usually a cheaper option so they’re ideal if you’re looking for a budget-friendly style.
Skip the carpets
Carpets are comfortable underfoot but they show stains and dirt quickly, and can be expensive to replace – particularly if you have several investment properties to maintain.
Similarly, if you’re allowing tenants who own pets in the property, carpets won’t last very long and will need vacuuming often to look clean and tidy, so they’re not a good investment.
Hard flooring materials, like tiling or laminate flooring, are far more durable and won’t need refinishing, so they’re more cost-effective for landlords and easier to maintain for tenants living in the property too.
Final thoughts
When furnishing a rental home, make sure that you’re considering longevity with every choice. It’s tempting to choose the cheapest option, but this can be a false economy, as you’ll end up replacing or repairing things more frequently.
Instead, opt for materials or fixtures that are built to last and can stand up to wear and tear, however long your tenants are living in the property. Not only will these options make for an easy property for landlords to maintain but it will also help tenants to keep their home clean and tidy too.
