The Viewing Isn’t Just for the Tenant…

When we arrange a viewing on your rental property, you might think the purpose is fairly simple.

We open the door.
They have a look around.
They decide whether they like it.

Easy, right?

Well… not quite.

Of course, a viewing gives a prospective tenant the opportunity to decide whether a property could become their next home.

But here at Letting Solutions, we’re doing a little viewing of our own too.

Don’t worry, there’s no clipboard and scoring system hidden behind our backs! 😂

We’re simply talking, listening and getting to know the people who may potentially be living in your property.

It starts with a conversation

One of the reasons we believe in accompanied viewings is because property letting is about people.

An online enquiry can tell us how many bedrooms somebody wants and roughly when they need to move.

A conversation tells us an awful lot more.

Why are they moving? Who will be living at the property? How long are they hoping to stay? Does the location work for them? Is the property genuinely suitable for their circumstances?

And, importantly, are their expectations realistic?

Sometimes five minutes chatting at a viewing can tell us that we’ve found someone who could be a great match.

Other times, it becomes obvious that perhaps this particular property isn’t right for them after all.

And that’s okay.

We want tenants to ask questions

A good viewing shouldn’t be a sales pitch.

We want prospective tenants to look properly, ask questions and understand exactly what they’re considering renting.

Where can they park? What’s included? How is the property heated? Is there outside space? What are the local transport links like?

The more somebody knows before applying, the less chance there is of an unwelcome surprise after they’ve moved in.

We’d much rather answer twenty questions at a viewing than hear: “Oh… I didn’t realise that.” two weeks into a tenancy!

First impressions work both ways

We’re not expecting prospective tenants to arrive wearing their Sunday best with a CV tucked under their arm! But naturally, we notice things. Communication. Punctuality. How somebody interacts with us. Whether they’ve actually considered if the property suits their needs.

None of these things replaces professional referencing, affordability checks or the proper application process and nor should they. But they’re another small part of the overall picture.

Because choosing a tenant shouldn’t be based solely on what a computer report tells us.

Sometimes we spot a mismatch

A tenant may absolutely love a property, but that doesn’t always mean it’s the right property for them.

Perhaps they need more space than they initially thought. Maybe the location doesn’t work for their commute. Perhaps there’s something they consider essential that the property simply doesn’t have.

Trying to force the wrong match just to secure a tenancy rarely benefits anybody. We want landlords to have happy tenants. And we want tenants to have homes they’re genuinely happy living in.

That’s how longer, more successful tenancies begin.

It’s another reason local agents still matter

Technology has transformed lettings, and much of that change has been fantastic. But there are some things an online form simply can’t replace.

A conversation at the front door. Local knowledge. Experience. Knowing which questions to ask – and sometimes knowing when to ask another one.

After 25 years of letting and managing properties across Blackpool and the Fylde Coast, we’ve learned that successful tenancies aren’t created by one single check or process. They’re created by putting lots of little pieces together. And an accompanied viewing is one of those pieces.

So yes, when we’re showing somebody around your property, they’re definitely viewing the house…

But we’re also getting to know your potential new tenant.

And we think that’s rather important.

If you have a property to let in Blackpool or across the Fylde Coast and you’d like an experienced, ARLA Propertymark registered agent who takes the time to find the right tenant, not simply the first one, we’d love to hear from you.

Letting Solutions

Your Property. Our Priority.