The rental market continues to grow and landlords are in high demand across the UK, with agents registering huge numbers of contract-holders seeking homes at their branches.

Despite being fantastic news for most professional landlords, contract-holders hoping to stay at one fixed abode for the long term are searching for more than just clean, accessible dwellings. So, what exactly are today’s contract-holders looking for? Take a look through the five things contract-holders are looking for most in a rental dwelling:

It’s all about the location

This may seem an obvious starting point, but with many contract-holders wanting to stay put for a minimum of two years, your dwelling needs to offer more than convenience – it needs to sell a lifestyle. Dwellings located close by to amenities like gyms, shops and restaurants are in high demand, whilst commuter-belts are always attracting professional contract-holders. Contract-holders are often put off if they need to travel for hours throughout their week just to go to work, keep fit and stock up on groceries, so if you’re looking to start (or add to) your portfolio, ask yourself whether you’d be happy to live in your rental dwelling, based on this criteria.
 

Present your dwelling in great repair

Any repair or maintenance works need to be resolved prior to a new contract. In an ideal world, you should have a week or two between occupation contracts to establish and address any outstanding issues, so that the new contract-holders don’t have to get involved. It is understandably frustrating for new contract-holders if workmen are constantly required at their home to fix up problems left by previous residents. If you can, take the void period between contract-holders to give your dwelling a good once over and ensure all main appliances are in good working order.
 

Low maintenance garden

This is especially attractive for professional contract-holders, who are often more preoccupied with work and commuting. Young couples and busy families often do not have time to dedicate to gardening so the less to do, the better. Whilst 82% of people report that spending time in their garden increases their happiness, it’s widely reported that Brits manage to spend just 30 minutes outdoors per day. A simple landscaped garden with decking or a patio should do the trick to boost your dwelling’s appeal whilst saving your future contract-holders time they don’t have on mowing lawns or planting flowers.
 

A blank canvas they can call ‘home’

It’s more common than ever for contract-holders to want to feel emotionally connected to their homes. Garish walls and tired carpets won’t make the cut in many instances, so help prospective contract-holders see your dwelling as ‘home’ by freshening it up with neutral colours and a lick of paint. This will also help to increase your chances of scoring higher monthly rent.

Ample storage space

This is a particularly important point if you’re hoping to rent to students or a family, or if you’re considering letting your dwelling furnished. Newer-build homes tend to feature built-in storage, but older properties can be less generous when it comes to storage space. Why not consider providing access to the loft space and garden shed? Or supply your home with freestanding wardrobes and drawers? If prospective contract-holders are able to see a home for all their belongings, your dwelling stands a higher chance of beating the competition.
 

For more advice on the best investment opportunities and how to get the most returns from them, contact your local branch.