Landlords offered tips on making good impressions

First impressions are vitally important for landlords when trying to let properties, it was advised today.

Although potential tenants are likely only to view properties they have already deemed as desirable, there is no room for complacency, warned letting agent Belvoir Cheadle.

Over 700,000 properties owned by private landlords were empty in 2008, according to figures released earlier this month by the Empty Homes Agency.

Sue Fitzsimmons, Belvoir's proprietor, has now offered tips to readers of residentiallandlord.co.uk in order to help landlords get tenants into their properties.

"The first few seconds are vital," she warned. "These first impressions are the mental pictures a potential tenant will take away with them and use to judge against other properties, especially if they've got several viewings scheduled in one day."

Properties should also be displayed with a bright and clean appearance with neutral decoration throughout, she advised.

Last impressions are equally important, according to Ms Fitzsimmons, who claimed by saving a property's best feature until last the landlord can ensure the viewer leaves with a good impression fresh in their mind.

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