By Danielle Reid · 24 October 2026
You want a tenant to walk in and feel at home. Start with a clean, bright space that works well. You do not need a show home. You do need a plan.
Have a chat before you spend.
Before you buy new floors or paint each room, speak to me. We can look at what needs work and what can stay.
Tell me when you hope to let. Will you leave any furniture? Is someone living there now? These points help us plan the next steps.
Fix the small things.
A loose handle may not seem like much. A few small faults can make a home feel less cared for.
- Check doors, taps and handles.
- Look for leaks or signs of damp. Find the cause, not just a way to hide the mark.
- Check that the things you plan to leave work as they should.
- Get the right person to do any work that needs a skilled trade.
A fresh coat of paint is nice. It is less help if the tap still drips.
Make it clean and bright.
Give the home a deep clean. Take care with the kitchen, bath, windows and floors. Clear any things that will not be part of the let.
Use bright, energy-efficient LED bulbs suited to each fitting. Keep the light colour the same in each room.
Open blinds for photos and viewings. Let people see the space.
Be clear on what stays.
Make a list of the furniture and other items you plan to leave. Check this with your agent before photos are taken.
If a desk, bed or sofa is in a photo but will not be there for the let, say so. No one wants to arrive with a suitcase and find the bed has left too.
Plan the checks as well as the photos.
A tidy home is only one part of getting ready. The checks and papers you need depend on the home and the letting.
Before you agree a move-in date, ask your agent to help check what is needed for your home. This guide is about how the home looks and works. It is not a full list of the rules for letting.
Who will look after the home?
Think about what help you want once a tenant moves in. Who will deal with repairs? Who should the tenant call?
I look after the upfront letting service. If you choose full management, Moveli handles the ongoing property management. We can talk through that choice before you decide.
Your short list.
- Talk through your plans with me.
- Make a list of repairs.
- Clean, clear and check the lights.
- Agree what stays in the home.
- Check the required steps before setting a move-in date.
- Choose how the home will be managed.
Not sure where to start? You do not need all the answers. That is what the first chat is for.