Some immediately catch your eye. Others barely get a second glance.
Now ask yourself one simple question…
Would you rent your own property?
It’s not a question many landlords ask themselves, but it can be one of the most valuable ways to look at your investment.
At Ellis Winters, we help landlords across Cambridgeshire, Huntingdonshire and the Fens let properties every day. One thing we’ve learned is that successful landlords often see their property through the eyes of the people who will actually be living there.
So, if you were the tenant, what would you notice?
First impressions start online
For most tenants, the first viewing happens on a phone screen.
Research from Rightmove has consistently shown that most property searches begin online, with photographs playing one of the biggest roles in whether someone decides to click on a listing or scroll straight past it.
Ask yourself:
Would your property’s photographs make you stop scrolling?
Are the rooms bright and well presented?
Do the images highlight the property’s best features?
Professional photography, good lighting and tidy rooms don’t just look better, they encourage more enquiries and attract more suitable applicants.
How does the property feel?
People rarely choose a rental property based purely on numbers.
Yes, the rent matters.
Yes, the location matters.
But so does atmosphere.
Does the property feel warm and welcoming?
Is there plenty of natural light?
Could you imagine relaxing there after work?
A home isn’t simply somewhere people sleep. It’s where they spend time with family, work from home, celebrate birthdays and build everyday routines.
The properties that feel comfortable are often the ones tenants remember long after a viewing.
Look beyond the obvious
When you’ve owned a property for years, it’s easy to stop noticing the little things.
A dripping tap.
Scuffed paintwork.
A loose cupboard handle.
A cracked light switch.
An overgrown hedge.
Individually they seem insignificant.
Together, they can suggest that the property hasn’t been cared for.
Prospective tenants notice these details far more than landlords often expect.
Is the décor helping or holding you back?
You don’t need to renovate your property every few years.
However, it’s worth asking whether the décor still appeals to today’s tenants.
Fresh, neutral decoration helps prospective renters imagine adding their own furniture and personal touches.
Highly personalised colours or tired finishes can make that more difficult.
Often, a simple coat of paint can completely transform the feel of a room.
Think about the outside too
Kerb appeal isn’t just important when selling a property.
It’s equally valuable in the rental market.
A tidy front garden, clean entrance, trimmed hedges and freshly swept paths immediately create a positive impression before a tenant has even stepped through the front door.
If you were arriving for a viewing, would you feel excited about going inside?
Would you be happy to move straight in?
Most tenants want a home that’s ready to enjoy from day one.
That doesn’t mean every property has to be brand new.
It does mean it should feel clean, well maintained and cared for.
Professional cleaning, working light bulbs, serviced appliances and prompt repairs all help create confidence that the property has been looked after properly.
Communication matters just as much
Now imagine you’ve found your perfect rental property.
You send an enquiry.
How long would you be happy to wait for a response?
Would you appreciate clear updates throughout the application process?
Would you want someone to answer your questions quickly?
The experience of renting begins long before a tenancy agreement is signed.
Prompt communication, honest advice and a professional approach help create trust from the very beginning.
Great landlords think like tenants
The landlords whose properties consistently attract strong interest often have one thing in common.
They don’t simply ask:
“What does this property need?”
They ask:
“What would I want if I were moving into this home?”
That small change in mindset can make a remarkable difference.
It encourages better presentation, faster maintenance, clearer communication and a greater understanding of what tenants value most.
A different way to protect your investment
Looking after a rental property isn’t just about preserving bricks and mortar.
It’s about creating somewhere people genuinely enjoy living.
Happy tenants are more likely to care for the property, communicate openly and stay for longer, reducing unnecessary void periods and creating a more stable investment.
At Ellis Winters, we work with landlords every day to help present their properties in the best possible light, attract quality tenants and build successful long-term tenancies.
So next time you visit your rental property, take a moment to see it through fresh eyes.
Ask yourself one simple question.
If I were searching for a home today… would I choose this one?
Sometimes, the answer to that question reveals exactly where the biggest opportunities lie.
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Sasha is a marketing specialist with 20 years experience. Her career has spanned marketing, counselling, and even funeral care - giving her a uniquely people-centred approach to every brief she takes on. She thrives in roles where she can use the written word and where empathy and clarity matter. Outside of work, she fosters animals (including a skunk and a sphynx!) and volunteers with local charities.
