6 Great Ways to Advertise Your Rental Property

With most students searching for properties online, your rental property must stand out. When advertising, landlords and agents have many things to consider, like other properties in the area, descriptions and features of their property, and significantly, how to present it online. 

With great advertising comes increased rental income, avoidance of lengthy void periods, and suitable tenants for your properties. But how do you get started? What can you do to create a great rental property listing that attracts target tenants?

Find the answer here with 6 great ways to advertise your rental property.

1. Research other properties in the area

When listing your rental property, it’s essential to scope out what other student accommodations and housing offer for students. Rent and utilities are valuable to students, but they also consider location, facilities, and how many can live in the property. Noting what facilities properties have, alongside rent per week or month, is beneficial when deciding what to charge for rent, utilities, and maintenance. 

You can research and compare properties in your area and apply filters with the Resooma portal. These include distance from universities, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, rent by week or month, or property types.

2. Reel in students with a key selling point 

Remember who you’re marketing to – students. What makes your rental property perfect for them?

Is it the commute time to their university? Perhaps it’s the social and cultural scene of the surrounding area. Some even want to be aware of surrounding shopping centres and supermarkets. It’s vital to consider what students want out of renting a property.

Don’t underestimate what factors students consider when choosing somewhere to rent. Out of 31,000 students in the UK conducted by Statista in 2019, 80% found the most crucial factor influencing how happy they are in student housing was their location. Resooma also found location was an important factor for students, alongside pricing to fit tight budgets, a well-maintained property, and a reputable landlord or agent. Find the key selling point that makes your property stand out and appeal to students. 

3. Write a short but informative description of your rental property and its key features 

A property and area description is your chance to highlight what the property has to offer to a prospective tenant. 

When writing the property description, it’s essential to consider the following: 

• Whether the property is fully furnished, i.e. if it includes a study space, wardrobe, bed etc.
• If various appliances such as a washer and dryer, hoover, etc., are included. 
• What utilities are included, such as water, gas, electricity, Wi-Fi, TV licence, etc. 
• Information about rent and if utilities are included in one payment – and if this is paid weekly or monthly.
• Details about the property’s area – if it’s a student area, the transport and commute times, universities located there, and the social scene. 
• Other factors such as whether the property is located in a quiet area. 

Students who have spoken with Resooma have emphasised they want to know more about an area and features such as furnishing, which property listings can lack. It is important to be transparent with students, even about the negative aspects of a property. We found students trust listings and landlords when problems are discussed openly. 

These details ensure tenants know what the property offers, how this fits what they’re searching for, and helps you find your ideal tenant. 

4. Take reliable and clear photographs of your property

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so multiple photographs of your property will make or break a prospective tenant’s decision on renting. However, it is also important to remain cautious about professional pictures. Students that spoke to Resooma have stated they can be wary of photographs of the property, so ensure you give a realistic vision of it.

Take pictures of your property with a good, high-quality camera and ensure they’re clear. Photos of spaces should have essential furnishings and features that will be included with the property. To show your property in the best light, consider taking photographs during the brightest times of the day and have blinds and curtains open to show the surrounding exterior. 

When advertising your property, using enhanced images will help attract potential renters. Photo editing software Autoenhance.ai is powered by artificial intelligence, which speeds up your workflow by instantly returning high quality photos. The API can be integrated into your application or you can upload your photos via the user-friendly interface. Autoenhance.ai hosts features such as realistic sky replacement that can replace the dreariest of daytime clouds with a bright and clear summer’s sky. You can also enhance lighting and contrast in your interior and exterior photographs and correct perspectives to catch the perfect angles of your property.

If there are any problems with the property, don’t try to cover it up in a photograph. Transparency with interested tenants about any problems is crucial. They are more likely to gain your trust when discussing these than leaving it for them to discover later. 

5. Create a video walkthrough of your property

Early COVID-19 lockdowns across the UK have forced people to rely more on searching and viewing properties online. The pandemic has accelerated its use where they are now standard options to viewing a property. 

There are several advantages to considering a video walkthrough of your property. The first, of course, it’s in the tenant’s best interest and reassures their safety and your own. Another advantage of a video walkthrough allows prospective tenants’ a broader view of your property.

Again, you will need a good camera and lighting, but the effort is worth having this as an option. One student told Resooma that they like a video walkthrough of the property where landlords describe the property to them just like a physical viewing. They said they would be more likely to book without viewing the property. However, Resooma found other students still prefer physical viewings, so it’s best not to have this as your only viewing option. 

6. List and advertise your properties online with Resooma

Most prospective tenants (especially students) will ultimately go online to search for potential properties to rent.

Listing your properties with Resooma is simple, smooth, and best of all, free. Resooma’s personalised matching tool allows us to fit the right tenants to your properties. You’ll gain more exposure, less time arranging viewings and processing enquiries, and more qualified leads. You’ll only have to pay when we successfully rent your properties. You’ll gain more insight into your area and other properties alongside tenant feedback to help other students decide where to rent, and help you to improve your properties.

Even listing your utilities with Resooma has never been easier. Include utilities and property bills in one monthly payment to increase your annual yield, gain tenants, and manage your finances.

For more information on what Resooma can do for you and your properties, you can find relevant information for landlords and agents right here.