Amenities tenants really want
For renters with cars, parking is incredibly important in a rental. Off-street parking is even more desirable. Being able to provide the tenant a spot in the driveway will help get the unit rented quickly. File photo
What makes one apartment more attractive than another might not necessarily be how spacious it is or even its style but rather a few convenient touches. Faustin Nshimye 27, prefers to live in a house that is as close to the road as possible. “I am willing to pay whatever the asking rate is as long as I do not have to walk more than ten meters away from the main road. I need to be in office as early as 6am, and I party till late on weekends. Living far off the road involves security risks for someone living my kind of lifestyle,” he elaborates.
The most sought after elite tenant is becoming very elusive and traditional landlords find themselves stranded with empty houses. One of the primary reasons is the growing popularity of the non-traditional letting services such as property agencies and online agencies. According to Arthur Buyondo manager at Pentagon Management Services located on Bombo Road, the better planned and plush an apartment is the more attractive it will be for tenants.
Security
He points out that one of the biggest concerns for tenants is the security of the place, not just the apartment but the whole neighbourhood. “Among the first questions people always ask is if the place is susceptible to burglaries, if the place has had some in the recent past, the client usually asks for another place,” Buyondo explains. As a landlord it is up to you to make sure that your estate is secure, from constructing perimeter walls, to electric fences and hiring security guards.
As Nshimye related, the location of the estate is one of its best-selling factors. Renters often prefer places that are a short distance away from the main road, close to schools, clinic and shopping center. Some estates have found a way out of this by adding shops, restaurants and clinics into the complex creating an autonomous community.
Parking space
Parking spaces either for residential or commercial housing are extremely important for tenants who own cars. A home with a garage is preferred but in case of its absence the landlord should provide a secure space for tenants’ cars.
In addition to parking space, a compound or spacious barkyard are a major bonus. Tenants with children do appreciate a spacious compound where children can play freely in safety while those with green fingers can indulge their hobby using the back yard. Shakira Muyinda, mother of two and an avid gardener says that the most things she considers before moving into a new place is space for her garden.
“Gardening is part of me, and I would not feel at home in a place where I had nowhere to grow my herbs and flowers,” Muyinda explains.
A well-finished, properly furnished apartment goes a long way. Tenants want a nice looking home and will pay for it. Install closets, kitchen cabins, upgrade the bathroom, shower and lighting fixtures. A cool looking chandelier in the dining room can dramatically change its appearance and the rent value.
