The Right Home for the Right Tenants

To attract the right tenants, your property needs to meet their needs. For instance, it’s unlikely that a professional couple will be keen on moving into a large house with a huge backyard that demands a lot of upkeep. If you’re still in the process of purchasing a property, think about what your ideal tenants would want. That way, you can buy a home that practically sells itself to them.

Here are 5 key features that almost all good tenants look for in a property:

• A clean and tidy space
• A well-maintained home
• Heating and/or cooling (depending on the climate)
• Close proximity to amenities (shops, schools, and public transport)
• A dishwasher

Prepare Your Property to Make an Impression

The real work starts long before you begin advertising and screening tenants… The number one thing great tenants look for is a clean, well-maintained property. Putting in the effort now will pay off in the long run. So, grab your tool belt and tackle any repairs that need doing. If you think a tenant might raise an issue, fix it before they even get the chance to mention it. Tenants are naturally sceptical, so they need to see it to believe it. Hiring a tradesperson to get the job done quickly and professionally could be a smart investment. Once that’s sorted, grab the bucket and mop and give the place a thorough clean from top to bottom.

Make sure your tenants are verified – use the National Tenancy Database

So, you’ve spoken to all their references and everything checks out — your prospective tenants sound great. But before you make a final decision, it’s important to run a check through the National Tenancy Database (NTD).

An NTD search can reveal:

🔹 Past tenancy issues
If the applicant has been flagged as a ‘problem tenant’ in the past — for instance, leaving a property with unpaid cleaning fees or damages beyond the bond and refusing to pay — they may be listed on the database.

🔹 Bankruptcy history
If they’ve declared bankruptcy within the last seven years, it’ll appear in the report — giving you insight into their financial background.

🔹 ID verification
The NTD cross-checks their identity against more than 20 databases. If they’re using a false ID, it’s likely to be detected.

🔹 Court judgments
Any court orders or judgments made against them will also be picked up in the search.

Running an NTD check helps you make a more informed decision and protect your investment.

Price It Right to Attract Tenants

Set your price too high, and you’ll struggle to attract quality tenants. Instead, you’ll end up with tenants who are desperate and might fail to pay. On the flip side, pricing it too low does a disservice to both your property and your wallet. To draw in quality tenants, set your price at or just slightly below (even just $5 lower) similar properties on the market. Tenants will judge the value of your property by comparing it to others available, so make sure you check out realestate.com.au and do your research.

Get Great Photos

Before you start advertising, make sure you have high-quality photos of your home. Good tenants are drawn to good photos. I usually recommend hiring a professional photographer to get the best shots, but sometimes, a smartphone can do the job just as well. If you’re using your phone, make sure to put in a little extra effort and plan your shots to make the property look its best.

Have Proper Application Forms Ready

Making a good first impression with potential tenants is important, but you also need to keep things objective and unemotional. To ensure they’re the right fit, you’ll need to gather their details on an application form for proper vetting. Have plenty of forms ready, with the right questions and a privacy policy in place so you can carry out the necessary checks. Here’s a good one you can use. It’s even better than most because you can email it to your prospective tenants, and they can fill it out directly on their computer without needing to print it. Make it as easy as possible for tenants to apply.

Choosing the right tenants is hands down one of the most important parts of managing a property. When you take the time early on to thoroughly screen and select quality tenants, you’ll save yourself a lot of stress and hassle down the track.

By now, you should feel confident going through the entire process — from advertising and screening to selecting the best tenant for your property.