- Personal Touch or Professional Help?
- Expert Tips for Optimizing Your Apartment Viewings
- Preparing for a Tenant Viewing: Key Practices
- Conducting viewings at an occupied property
- Virtual property viewings
- Meeting with potential tenants
- Make a plan
Property showings aren’t just about showcasing your place in the best possible way; they’re also about determining if potential tenants are a good match for your apartment. With this in mind, you should approach these viewings with a clear strategy.
It’s pretty common when renting in France for potential tenants to visit an apartment with a group of people. But sometimes, tenants might have more one-on-one time with the owner than just ten minutes. It depends on current circumstances.
Guiding prospective tenants around your property might feel like a bit of a chore at times, but it’s a crucial aspect of your role as a landlord. Managing these property tours can make or break your reputation as a landlord.
Personal Touch or Professional Help?
Showing tenants around might seem like a tedious job sometimes, making it tempting to delegate this responsibility to a letting agent. However, before you do so, consider a few factors.
Firstly, hiring a letting agent for something you could handle yourself may impact/lower your profits. Secondly, unless you opt for property management services, you’ll be the one interacting with tenants. So, meeting them in person is a good idea to see if they’re a good fit for you and your home.
Eventually, deciding whether to conduct a tenant viewing personally will depend on your situation, budget, and other circumstances.
Expert Tips for Optimizing Your Apartment Viewings
Provide instructions — Nothing ruins a viewing faster than the tenant getting lost or being unable to locate the apartment. When scheduling the viewing, send over directions and a map to make finding the apartment easier. Be sure to include your contact information so they can reach out if they are running late or having trouble finding the property.
Prepare your questions — Have some questions ready that you would like to ask to find out if they would be a good match for your apartment.
Documentation — Bring a folder containing all relevant documents, such as property details, safety reports, and contracts.
Create a list of points to discuss — Mark the apartment’s key features so that you can highlight them during the viewing. Understanding what sets your apartment apart allows you to showcase it in the best possible way.
Be punctual — It’s always important to arrive early to prepare the place and ensure everything is ready. Being on time also reflects your reliability and professionalism.
Give them some space — After showing them around, allow your prospective tenants some time to explore and talk privately.
Clarify the following steps — Once the tour is complete, inform them about what to expect if they’re keen to proceed.
First impressions matter, so make sure your property looks its finest.
Preparing for a Tenant Viewing: Key Practices
- Ensure the apartment is in the condition you want the tenant to keep it.
- Be very clear about the type of tenant you want, references, and deposit amount so you don’t waste your time by showing unsuitable people around.
- Keep an up-to-date copy of the tenancy agreement, utility bills, tax, water charges, insurance, and gas documents. Also, make sure the dates of the electrics, gas safety, and insurance testing are current.
- Make sure to reach out to potential tenants either through a call or text and kindly ask for their confirmation of attendance at the viewing. Additionally, provide them with the property’s address. When meeting tenants, it’s important to greet them and be generally friendly, respond courteously to all inquiries they may have, and express gratitude for their interest in your home.
Conducting viewings at an occupied property
Having your rental property sit empty can end up costing you. That’s why it makes sense to find tenants quickly after the old ones move out. Yet, be considerate when showing new tenants around while the current tenants still live there.
Firstly, the landlord is allowed to conduct viewings in a rented property that is currently occupied for the purpose of selling or reletting. Upon receiving notice of the tenancy agreement termination, the landlord can schedule viewings for two hours per day, excluding Sundays and public holidays. The tenant cannot decline these appointments.
To make this process smoother, it’s recommended that you include a clause about viewings in your tenancy agreement. The clause should be fair and reasonable. Don’t expect current tenants to allow viewings far in advance—maybe 2 or 3 weeks before they leave. Also, you can’t insist they deep clean for every viewing or ask them to leave the property during showings, either.
Likewise, according to the National Accommodation Agency of France (Agence National pour l’Information sur le Logement), landlords must obtain tenant consent before entering the property. Once they hand over the keys, landlords cannot enter without permission.
When scheduling viewings for an occupied property, remember these guidelines:
- Limit viewings during the final week or two of the tenancy lease.
- Ask when it would be most convenient for a current tenant.
- Always give at least 24-hour notice.
- Get consent from the tenant before any viewings.
- When feasible, organize group viewings to minimize interruptions.
Virtual property viewings
While nothing compares to seeing the property in person, virtual viewings can be really useful in certain circumstances. If you’re unsure about how virtual viewings work, let us walk you through.
There are a few options to choose from, such as video tours, virtual walkthroughs, and live virtual viewings.
Video tours are usually simple videos that take you through each room in an apartment. Virtual walkthroughs take it up a notch by offering a 360-degree view of the property, allowing viewers to explore every corner and get a sense of the space from all angles. These two options are typically part of the property’s listing.
Lastly, there’s the option of a virtual viewing appointment where you can give tenants a personalized real-time tour via platforms like Zoom, Skype, WhatsApp, or Microsoft Teams. This way, you can engage in conversation and address tenants’ queries.
The biggest advantage of virtual viewings is that they open up your property to a wider audience. For someone who is moving from afar and can’t easily travel for a viewing session, this option provides convenience without the need for travel.
Adding virtual tours and videos to your property listings can increase tenants’ interest. Still, the effectiveness of this strategy may vary among landlords depending on the type of property and the specific target audience.
Meeting with potential tenants
Meeting with tenants is not just about showcasing the apartment to them. It’s also a chance for landlords to assess whether tenants would be a good match for the place. If you’re conducting the viewings yourself, take this opportunity to screen them, understand their personality, and have an informal chat.
As you might suspect, selecting the right tenant is essential. You want someone who will pay rent on time and take care of your property. That’s why a thorough screening process is essential, and the property viewing serves as a starting point.
Do you currently live in this area?
This query could initiate a discussion about the tenants’ living situation and their reasons for relocating without appearing overly invasive.
When do you plan on moving?
It’s important that the property’s availability aligns with the tenant’s moving timeline. Knowing this can prevent time wastage.
Who will be residing at the property with you?
Keep in mind that it might not just be the person you’re showing around who intends to move. Asking this question upfront can prevent any surprises and help you evaluate their suitability for your property.
Do you own any pets?
Regardless of your opinion on allowing pets in rented properties, it is essential to inquire if a potential tenant intends to bring a pet so that you can assess whether the property is suitable for their animal companion.
What is your occupation?
Ultimately, it is important to have a tenant who pays rent on time. Understanding a bit about their job can offer insights into their routine and financial reliability.
Make a plan
- Your home likely features a room with that “wow” factor. Consider whether you want to showcase this room first or save it for last.
- Remember, first impressions are of the utmost importance. Even if you don’t start with a wow-factor room, avoid kicking off with an unsightly space. Instead, reveal a room that hints at what’s in store.
- Ensure that the final room allows potential tenants to stand or sit comfortably, creating an environment where they feel at ease asking any questions they may have.
- Highlight any features, extra storage options, recent energy-efficient upgrades, proximity to schools and transportation hubs, etc. Make sure to emphasize the value your apartment provides.
- Before the viewing, it’s helpful to consider the questions a potential viewer might have and have the answers ready. Write down these questions and answers and prepare a document for the viewer. This way, they can review the information at their own pace after viewing it.
- Be friendly, welcoming, and approachable while maintaining professionalism.
- Try scheduling viewings during the day whenever possible.
- Offer the viewers the chance to look around at their own pace once you’ve taken a tour.
Don’t…
1. Conduct viewings alone for safety reasons.
2. Hover over your viewers: allow them some space to wander around and discover things on their own.
3. Rush the viewing process. Ten to fifteen minutes is average; any longer is a good sign.
4. Don’t pressure your viewers to decide whether the property suits them.
Know what you want to get out of the meeting before it starts! Remember, 88% of tenants prefer meeting the landlord before deciding to rent an apartment!
Don’t let your property sit idle in one of the world’s most competitive markets. Join a rental game with Wunderflats today and watch your listing become the go-to choice for renters.
