You will constantly be told that in a competitive market, presentation of your property is
paramount to help it stand out and attract the attention of a good tenant. Modern fixtures
and fittings and a high standard of cleanliness are essential but there is something else that
is very often overlooked – the ability of your agent to present the property in the correct
manner and to attract the right tenant. Therefore when choosing your agent, why not ask
the following questions:-

1. Will my property receive extensive advertising both on the internet and in a good local
property magazine?
2. Will my agent show prospective tenants around in the evenings and at weekends, as
well as during normal working hours?
3. Will my agent move my new tenant in at the weekend if this is what suits the tenant best?
4. Will my agent collect tenants from the train station and bus station in Cambridge and
drive them around from property to property?
5. Will my agent offer my new tenant a service whereby on request they can make up beds
and stock the fridge thus giving my new tenant good reason to want to use my agent?
6. Once let and depending on the service I have opted for, will my agent pay over rents
quickly and carry out thorough quarterly inspections?

Guide to First Time Landlords

Potential Tenants have an increasing choice of Property available to them to rent, especially in Cambridge where we have seen extensive new developments being built in the last few years alone.
Property should therefore be presented on the market in a well presented and clean condition.  Here are just a few pointers which we hope you will find helpful:-

• Gardens both to the front and rear of  the Property should be as neat as possible
• Exterior paintwork should be in good order, especially the front door as first impressions are always lasting
• Do get windows cleaned.  It is amazing how much extra light this will bring into a Property
• Please make sure that all light bulbs are working. It can be hard to show a Property in the dark!
• Take a step back and look at internal decoration.  If paintwork is tired it will be noted by potential Tenants.  A fresh lick of paint in light and neutral colours can transform a room.
• Kitchens:  A modern kitchen is always high on a potential Tenant’s list, however we are not suggesting that you rush out and fit a new kitchen.  Sealant and grouting should be clean, cupboard hinges sound, work surfaces in good order and flooring easy to clean.  We do advise leaving a cooker as essential and flexibility over white goods should be considered.
• Bathrooms:  Again, an area high on a potential Tenant’s list. We strongly advise providing a shower unless it really is not financially feasible.  Again, whilst potential Tenants will always rate a modern bathroom as being high on their priority list, the key again is to ensure that sealant and grouting is clean, the suite is presented in a clean condition and flooring suites a bathroom and is easy to clean.
• If you are still living in the Property when it first goes onto the market, please de-clutter as much as possible during the marketing period.  In this respect, if the Property is going to be let furnished it is really helpful if we could have a list of any furniture that WILL NOT be staying for the let. On the whole we do not advise leaving pots and pans, cutlery, crockery and other kitchen items even when offering the Property furnished.  We do advise always leaving a hoover for a furnished let though.
• We would always recommend that if your Property has a garden that a basic set of gardening tools and lawnmower are provided by you for the Tenant.  These items will be included of course on the inventory.
• Loft space. If you intend to exclude your loft space from a let then it is essential that you arrange for some sort of lock system to prevent access by Tenants.  We should have a copy of the key in our office though. 
• Garage and shed space.  If you are providing these to a Tenant, except for gardening equipment, we would recommend that you leave these areas empty.  If you do wish to keep them for your own purposes for storage then again they should be locked and secure to prevent access by the Tenant