A little preparation before you let your home makes everything after it easier. A home that is ready, with its paperwork in order, tends to attract the right tenant sooner and leads to fewer disagreements later. This article sets out what to think about before your home goes on the market. It is general guidance only, and your BIM specialist can talk you through what applies to your property.
Have your documents ready
Delays at the contract stage are often caused by missing paperwork. Before you start, gather the documents you are likely to need:
- the title deed for the property, or the equivalent proof of ownership
- a copy of your passport and Emirates ID, or the identity documents of the company if the property is owned through one
- a power of attorney if someone else will be signing on your behalf
- confirmation from the developer or community management that service charges are settled, where this is asked for
- any building or community rules a tenant will need to follow
If you are not sure what applies to your property, ask before you list it rather than after you have found a tenant. Requirements can change, so check the current position with the relevant authority or with us.
Condition and safety basics
Tenants notice the basics first. Make sure the air conditioning works and has been serviced, that taps, showers and drains run properly and that there are no leaks. Check that lights, sockets and appliances work. Smoke detectors should be in place and working. Doors and windows should open, close and lock.
A thorough clean makes a real difference, especially kitchens and bathrooms. A fresh coat of paint where walls are marked often does more for a home than any amount of description.
Small fixes or a renovation?
Not every home needs a renovation before it is let. Often a list of small fixes is enough: a dripping tap, a loose cupboard door, a cracked tile, tired grout or a broken light fitting. These are usually quick to put right and remove the little doubts a tenant might have on a viewing.
A renovation is a bigger decision. It may make sense if the kitchen or bathrooms are badly worn, if the layout no longer suits how people live or if the home has been empty for a long time. It also means more time before a tenant can move in. Your specialist can walk the property with you and give an honest view of which approach suits the home and your plans. If a renovation is the right step, BIM can help with that too.
Photos that show the home properly
Most tenants decide whether to view a home from the photos. Take them after the cleaning and repairs are done, in good daylight, with the curtains open and clutter cleared away. Show every room, the view if there is one, and the shared facilities such as the pool, gym or parking.
Photos should be honest. A tenant who arrives at a viewing and finds the home looks different from the pictures is unlikely to stay interested, and it starts the relationship badly.
Decide what stays
Decide in advance whether the home will be let furnished, part-furnished or unfurnished, and which appliances are included. Write it down. A clear list avoids confusion during negotiations and when the tenant moves in.
The inspection record
Before the tenant moves in, record the condition of the home in detail. Go room by room. Note marks on walls and floors, the state of fixtures, fittings and appliances, and anything that does not work. Take dated photos. Agree the record with the tenant and keep a copy each.
This record is what the end of the tenancy is measured against. When the tenant moves out, comparing the home with the move-in record makes it far easier to agree what is normal wear and tear and what is damage. Without it, disagreements are much harder to settle fairly.
If we manage your property, we carry out the move-in inspection for you and keep the record in your owner portal.
Ready to let?
When your documents are together and the home is in good order, you are ready to find a tenant. Talk to our team about letting or managing your home, and we will take it from there.