Whether your property is in the UK, the US, or Portugal, if you want to rent it out, it needs to be presentable. With so much choice on the market, you need to make sure your rental property is absolutely spotless if you want to rent it quickly.

The financial website Investopedia points out that renters today have high expectations and will want the home thoroughly cleaned. This means perhaps to a much higher standard than was expected in the past.

So, how do you go about making sure that your property is in the best condition it can be for rental, and what else should you be aware of as a landlord? 

Is it still worth renting out a property?

If you look at London’s rental market, then you can see that rents have been dropping for some time.

The average drop in rent is around 2.3% over the last five years, and across about two-thirds of London. However, the biggest and most significant drop came during the last year. This was almost certainly due to the effects of Covid and the pandemic.

Rents dropped by an average of 8% last year, and over 9% up to March of 2021. Interestingly, the property market in Portugal for sellers tells a different story.

Property prices have been on the rise in Portugal as far as residential sales are concerned, and were barely dented by the pandemic. This may change as 2021 progresses though.

 

As far as rentals in Portugal are concerned, tourism is happening, and many people are looking for somewhere to stay on their vacation. 

How should you go about getting the home cleaned to rent?

Anyone property owner looking for holidaymakers or long-term rentals will want to get people in quickly. If you want to rent out your property then you will need to clean room by room.

For holiday rentals you can almost certainly get by with regular local cleaners. As long as they meet the correct standards, your guests will be able to arrive at a clean villa or apartment with no problems. For long-term rentals, the matter is slightly different.

If you are renting a buy-to-let property then you will need to use a professional cleaning company. There is no way to cut corners and save money here if you want your tenants to be happy, and the property to be rented quickly.

Professional cleaning firms will do everything from cleaning the ceilings and corners to degreasing the cooker. They should be certified, accredited, and their work guaranteed. 

Should you make improvements to your home to rent it?

Of course, you take pride in your property even if you don’t live there. However, there is no need to make extensive improvements unless they are needed.

Repairs should be made if there are problems such as leaks, dripping taps, and flickering lights. You can certainly make investments to increase the rental value of your property, but perhaps you don’t need to.

The most important thing for most people moving into a rental home is to find that everything works properly, and is spotless. There is nothing worse on a moving day than to find that after all the stress and effort, the cooker doesn’t work, or it is covered in grease. 

How to find a good cleaning company

If you have decided that you want to use a professional cleaning company to get your rental home clean, then you need to know how to find the right one.

If you are renting a property in Portugal or another holiday destination then trust in your letting agents. They are likely to have long-term contacts in the area that they know and trust.

For short-term rentals, ask other ex-pats if they know of reliable cleaners who can come in regularly to keep the property spick and span.

If you are looking to rent your property out back home, in London, for instance, then the internet is always a good bet. Search for a professional cleaning company in London, and check to see if they are accredited by Trust Mark and NCCA.

Also, look to see what services they offer, guarantees, and their experience. Lastly, check for any recent reviews you can find online. 

What does a landlord need to know when renting a property?

If you are renting out your property back home so you can spend more time in Portugal then you will need to use a letting agent.

This means that you can relax and not worry about maintaining appliances and being hassled when things go wrong. You may also take advantage of the tenancy deposit scheme in the UK, but you’ll find that things are a little different in Portugal.

However, if you have a good letting agent who looks after all the other aspects for you, you will be able to relax in Portugal in your second home, or a rental of your own. 

Summary

To rent any type of property today you will need to meet certain standards. Renters have far more choices than in the past, and if your property doesn’t meet their criteria they will move on.

If you want to leave England and head over to Portugal then hiring a professional cleaning company might make that move a little quicker and smoother.