Six Ways to Increase Your Rental Property’s Appeal in Melbourne

As a property investor, you might wonder why similar properties are renting for higher prices than yours. Despite taking beautiful photos and cleaning thoroughly, your property remains vacant. Today, Smart Listing Property Management will share six simple ways to enhance your rental property’s appeal and quickly secure high rents and quality tenants.

1. Showcase the Property’s Best Features

Before renting out your property, take plenty of indoor and outdoor photos to highlight its best features and advantages. No property is perfect, so focus on its strengths. If the interior is dark, shoot photos on a sunny day. Walk-through videos can add dynamic views. This attracts more viewers, increasing your chances of renting out the property. Highlighting features is particularly important in competitive markets like Melbourne houses for rent.

2. Regular Maintenance and Repairs

Just like maintaining a car, you should maintain your investment property—it’s more valuable than your car. One way to retain quality tenants is to promptly address any repair requests. Maintaining the property keeps current and potential tenants comfortable and protects the property’s long-term value. This is crucial whether you are dealing with a Melbourne apartment rent or a house.

3. Don’t Neglect the Exterior

First impressions matter and often come from the property’s exterior when tenants first arrive. Although tenants are responsible for garden maintenance during their stay, issues like overhanging branches should be resolved before they become dangerous. Regularly trim trees and bushes, and maintain the lawn to enhance the property’s appeal and ensure safety and compliance. This is especially important for Melbourne rent apartment listings where curb appeal can make a significant difference.

4. Comply with Legal Regulations

Rental properties are subject to numerous laws and regulations. For example, Victoria’s minimum rental standards specify detailed requirements. Non-compliance with residential rental laws in your state can cost you time and money. Hiring a professional property manager can help mitigate these risks and ensure your property meets all legal requirements.

5. Understand the Market Dynamics

In Melbourne, the balance of supply and demand in the rental market is crucial. Currently, Melbourne’s vacancy rate has dropped to a historic low of 1.0% in 2024, meaning a tight rental market with rising rents. Understanding market dynamics helps you price your property accurately and competitively. Highlight regional advantages such as proximity to schools, convenient transport, or nearby commercial centers to attract more potential tenants. Use Census data to check the area’s average age, income levels, and ethnicity proportions, and adjust your property accordingly before renting. These factors are critical when positioning Melbourne apartment rent or house listings.

6. Consider Pet Policies

Many landlords have “no pets” policies to minimize potential damage. However, with about 69% of Australian households owning pets, allowing pets can attract more tenants. Setting a pet bond or pet rent can protect the property while attracting more potential tenants. This can be a differentiating factor for Melbourne houses for rent.

Smart Listing Property Management Services

Smart Listing is dedicated to providing comprehensive services to landlords, ensuring your investment property remains in top condition and attracts quality tenants. With our professional team and experienced services, we help you enhance your rental property’s appeal and profitability.

To learn more about our services, please visit our website or contact our customer service team.