Ready, Set, Move: 5 Tips for Landlords Welcoming New Tenants

Welcoming new tenants to your property might feel a bit overwhelming, but getting it right from the start sets the stage for a great tenancy ahead.

September 1st is here, AKA National Moving Day, meaning many landlords across the UK are experiencing one of the busiest days on their rental calendars.

We’ve discovered that today brings a surge of renters moving to new homes – a remarkable 8.4 times more moves compared to an average day!

To make sure you harness the full potential of a move-in day, let’s go over five essential tips and tricks for creating a warm atmosphere and laying the foundation for a fruitful tenancy.

1. Preparation is key

Making your tenant’s move-in experience a hit begins way before the big day. Make sure your property is in top shape and handle any necessary repairs or maintenance tasks early on. A clean, well-presented home sets the stage for a positive tenant experience right from the start.

Moreover, to ensure your property’s well-being during the tenancy, it’s vital to carry out a detailed inventory before new tenants move in. And to avoid any misunderstandings down the road, OpenRent can offer your tenants a preliminary inventory that they can review and comment on.

2. Smooth communication

Keeping the communication flowing is essential. Touch base with your tenants in advance to share move-in guidelines, info about picking up keys, and any other details about locating and entering the property.

However, there’s no need to stress about remembering it all – once the first month’s rent and deposit are received, we will send you an automatic email notification signalling that it’s game on.

3. Keep an eye on your phone

As you already know, move-in days can be quite hectic, and tenants might come up with questions you haven’t thought of.

While it may sound like a simple tip, it’s always best to stay available and responsive to their needs on the day, whether through phone, email, or messaging apps. Your well-timed help can make a big difference.

Plus, to save your personal devices from getting swamped with future issues, you can encourage your tenants to give our Issue Reporting system a shot. It’s a breeze to use, keeps all tenants in the loop, and covers all sorts of property-related problems – from appliances and furniture to electrics and alarms, and even more!

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4. Craft a tenant handbook

Another savvy move to ensure your tenants start off on the right foot is to give them a tenant handbook. Whether it’s a digital copy or a printed version, this document can outline some rules and expectations – though don’t go too crazy with it.

The handbook could also be used to highlight key features of the property and demonstrate how different appliances work.

This personal touch can speed up tenants’ settling process and nip possible issues in the bud. Plus, you can recycle it with different tenants, making it a handy tool in your landlord toolkit.

5. Collect valuable feedback

After the dust settles, why not ask for feedback from your tenants about their move-in experience? Their input could be gold for fine-tuning your methods and improving any future move-in days.

Don’t worry, it doesn’t have to be a formal thing – a casual ‘How are you settling in?’ message can do wonders.

Any move-in day is an excellent opportunity for landlords to showcase their professionalism and commitment to tenant satisfaction.

By prioritising preparation and communication, you can ensure a seamless transition for your tenants and set the stage for a financially prosperous tenancy.

So, why not embrace the opportunity to build lasting relationships, and solidify your reputation as a landlord who cares?

Remember, the effort you invest on your tenant’s move-in day can have a lasting impact on tenant retention, word-of-mouth referrals, and the overall financial success of your rental business.

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