Getting Your Property Ready for Letting
Mar 22, 2011 Leases Leasing
First impressions, as they say, are everything. When getting your property ship shape for prospective tenants to view, there are areas which need addressing before you even think of placing it on the market.
The Major Things
Of course, it is your responsibility to ensure the building is of a safe standard and that the electrics, heating and plumbing are fully serviced and working. Consider the age of any heating or plumbing – if the system is old it may be advisable to have it renewed before rental, so you will cut down on call outs and breakdowns.
Be sure to install plenty of smoke and carbon dioxide alarms.
Flooring
There’s a reason why so many rental properties have tiled or laminate floors. They are easy to keep clean and less prone to damage. Even if you have carpeted floors upstairs, it’s worth considering changing those in high traffic areas such as the hallway and living room to something a little more hardwearing.
If your floors are carpeted, get them professionally cleaned.
Walls
The easiest décor is to have the walls plaster finished and decorate with a coat or two of neutral paint (magnolia anyone?). These are easy to freshen up should it be necessary between tenancies.
White Goods
Even if you are renting the property unfurnished you may be expected to provide a washing machine and dishwasher. If it’s furnished, then you’ll need to supply a fridge, freezer and probably a tumble dryer as well. There are so many on the market now that it can be difficult to know which to purchase, but there’s a good range of budget options available from most stores.
Furniture
Depending on how you are renting, furniture may or may not be an option. If the place is furnished, make sure you don’t leave anything in there of high monetary of sentimental value. Think simple and neutral, and don’t buy cream sofas! IKEA tends to be a big favourite with landlords!
Keep it Simple
The best thing with a rental property is to keep colours neutral and clean. The last thing a prospective tenant wants is to walk into a property with bright red walls or an orange ceiling! Although your tenant will not own the property, it will still be their home. And they will like to think that they can make their own stamp on it. Neutral and clean colours ensure that this is possible.
Exterior Appeal
Don’t forget the outside. If necessary, touch up any paintwork and tidy up the garden – back and front. Give the windows a clean as this all adds to the first impression.
If you do all of this then you ensure that your property will have the best possible chance of a tenant wanting to live here. Renting a house is fairly similar to selling – you want that first impression to have the ‘wow’ factor, and getting everything prepared prior to putting it on the market will help to achieve this.
Tags: Leases Leasing
The Benefits of Company Vehicle Leasing
Oct 14, 2009 Leases Leasing
Company vehicle leasing can offer many wonderful benefits for any type of business. It is often more cost effective and it allows them to have late model vehicles all the time. There are always newer models that come along with great features that a business will want to take advantage of.
Company vehicle leasing means you will have a great warranty in place as well. Should there be something wrong with the vehicle during the warranty period then it is going to be taken care of by the company. Either they will fix the vehicle or they will offer another one to replace it. Most leases also cover the vehicle should it be involved in an accident by a licensed driver of your business. Therefore you don’t have to worry about a loss when something like that happens.
Generally you will have better luck negotiating a deal for leasing a vehicle than buying one. Some things you can get to decide include the size and type of vehicle, the number of months you want to lease it, the interest rate you are willing to pay, and even others that you wish to put on the table.
The routine maintenance as well as oil changes are often free when you take part in company vehicle leasing. This is important as these things will help to ensure that the vehicles are reliable and operating as they should. You don’t want to be in need of a company vehicle but not have one ready to go that is up to your standards.
Company vehicle leasing can also help to lower the amount of money that owed for income taxes at the end of the year. When a vehicle is purchased for business use it can depreciate quickly. Also, only a portion of the cost will be allowed to be used as a deduction. With a leas though the full amount of the payments for that lease period will be covered.
In any business there is already enough to take care of on a regular basis. Company vehicle leasing allows you to get all the great benefits but you can avoid the different types of hassles. With the economy, you also don’t have to worry about not being able to sell vehicles you no longer need for a fair price.
You do want to take your time though to make sure company vehicle leasing is going to work well for your business. There are many aspects of it that you want to be aware of. For example if the vehicle is driven more miles than what was allocated your business could owe plenty of additional money. If the lease vehicle isn’t returned in good condition then there can be charges for that as well.
Tags: Leases Leasing
