As property prices increase, the number of people looking to rent is on the rise. This is great news for anyone wanting to let out their home as there are plenty of families, students and professionals searching for somewhere to live. Of course, this means the rental market is highly competitive, but there are things you can do to make your property more appealing.

Here are four tips for renting out your home:

Focus on the exterior of your home

The front of your house is the first thing that tenants will see, so it’s essential that everything’s up to scratch – after all, you need to make a good impression as soon as they see your abode. A lick of paint here and a touch of gloss there will not only make your home more appealing but it could allow you to increase your rental price, earning you more money. Many estate agents will come and inspect your property before putting it on their books, so it’s well-worth mowing the lawn, getting the windows thoroughly cleaned and keeping all rubbish out of sight! Which leads neatly on to…

Make the most of storage units

There are three main types of property: furnished, unfurnished or part-furnished. If you decide to rent your home without furniture, you’ll need to find a new home for it and that’s where self storage units from companies like Ready Steady Store can come in handy. They provide a safe and secure environment for all your belongings and are the perfect way to keep your goods in tip-top condition without selling them, giving you the option of re-furnishing your home in the future. Boxing and packing materials will even be delivered to your door making the whole process quick, simple and hassle-free.

Don’t neglect the interior of your home

Once the exterior is looking fantastic, it’s time to focus on the interior of your property. Tenants have the right to live in a well-maintained property, so it’s a good idea to carry out a thorough clean before anyone moves in. Dusting, hoovering, mopping and other household chores can go a long way but you might also consider having carpets, curtains, sofas and other soft furnishings professionally cleaned. What’s more, people tend to notice odours as soon as they walk through the door, so try not to smoke before a viewing and get rid of pet smells with air fresheners. Bad whiffs can put people off.

Decide who will manage the property

Do you want to manage the property yourself or would you prefer to find a good estate agent that will do most of the work for you? This article from the Telegraph includes some useful pointers. Sure, you could save money by organizing the letting details single handedly, however, specialized letting companies will ensure you don’t miss anything out and stay within the law. They usually take up to ten percent of the monthly rent for their services, but could save you a lot of time and hassle. One thing to note, however, is that agents aren’t regulated, but the better ones tend to belong to the National Approved Lettings Scheme (NALS) or the Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA).

Renting can be a great way to earn money, but it’s important to do things properly by following these handy tips.