Making your buy-to-let suitable for young families

As soon as you have children, you see the world in a different light. Small objects become choking hazards, hard surfaces become disaster zones, and everything is an accident waiting to happen. This is why we baby-proof our houses!  

So, when a family moves into a buy-to-let, they are going to be looking for a safe environment for their children to play and discover their surroundings.  As a landlord looking to tap into the lucrative market of these renters, how can you make your property family-friendly?  

Invest in fencing 

Depending on the set-up and style of your property, you may be able to invest in some fencing at the front of your property to ensure that you have an entrance gate. This way, when tenants are trying to get out of the house with the children, there’s no chance of the little ones bolting out of the door and onto busy roads and streets. It also means children have extra outdoor space to safely play – which is always welcomed.  

Outdoor space 

Speaking of outdoor space, this is something that many families will be looking for. Children have a lot of energy and having a garden for them to run around in and burn some of this energy is a huge plus point. If your buy-to-let has a garden, make sure that it has a soft, grassy area that is safe for play. Ensure that things like concrete steps are kept to a minimum, and ensure that the space is well secured. 

Practical floors and walls 

Not only does the way you see the world change when you have children, the way you’d decorate your house probably does too. For instance, although you might think that carpets throughout the home are a great idea, hard flooring is often much more practical for a family. Hard flooring wipes clean, don’t trap odours as carpets do and soft rugs can always be put down to cushion any falls. In terms of walls, you might consider using washable paint in your buy-to-let. A satin finish paint will be able to withstand a little wear and tear, but dirty hand marks on walls, crayoning, or food splatters are almost inevitable. Not only will this be appreciated by house proud parents, but it also leaves you with fewer problems at the end of the tenancy. 

Make space 

Families will always need more space than individuals or couples. Housing every member of the family is one thing, but families also need a lot of storage. Do you have the opportunity to convert a loft into a bedroom, or perhaps a dining room? If you have enough bedrooms, could you potentially transform a loft or dining room into a playroom? Utilise any space you have to appeal to parents who perhaps don’t want toys, books, and prams all over their living area! The more space the better. It’s also really important to consider parking. Ensure your driveway offers enough space for getting children in and out of the car. 

When renting to families, make sure you compare landlord insurance to make sure you’ve got the best level of cover to protect your property. We all know that children are not the tidiest and considerate of tenants! But if you can minimise the risk of property damage, you’ll find families to be perfect and profitable for your buy-to-let.