The apartments that rent quickly are rarely the cheapest. They are the ones that were ready before the listing went up. A landlord should work in three layers, in this order: repair and clear the unit and prepare the documents, take the photos, and only then write the listing and set the price.
1. Fix the small faults before taking any photo
Viewers notice specific things: a damp smell in the bathroom, a dripping tap, a dead bulb, a worn fridge seal, a stiff door lock. Each is read as a sign of how the landlord maintains the unit, and often leads to a request for a lower rent. Have the air-conditioners serviced before letting. An air-conditioner that has not been serviced for years is usually the first thing reported as broken after move-in.
2. Clear personal items and list the furniture
Remove personal belongings and valuables. For the furniture that stays, list each item with its current condition and photograph it. The list becomes an appendix to the lease and the basis for the handover record.
3. Photos: daytime, curtains open, every corner
Shoot in natural light with all curtains open. Cover the living room, kitchen, each bedroom, bathroom, balcony or view, and the building facilities tenants may use. Keep personal items, documents and the unit number out of frame. Photos that make the unit look far brighter and larger than it is send viewers home within minutes of arriving.
4. Documents to have ready
| Document | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Proof of the right to lease (ownership certificate or purchase contract) | Tenants and agents will ask whether the landlord really owns the unit |
| Power of attorney, if the signer is not the owner | Avoids a lease that may be challenged |
| Building management contact | So tenants can ask about access rules, parking and moving hours |
| Furniture list and condition photos | Appendix to the lease and handover record |
If the unit is mortgaged, check the bank's conditions on leasing first. For tax on rental income, ask the tax office or an accountant how it applies to your case.
5. Write the listing and set the price last
Put the bedroom count, area, furnishing level and building name in the title. State the minimum term, the deposit and the costs billed separately. Set the price after checking comparable units in the same building or area.
| Remember before listing | |
| 1 | Fix small faults and service the air-conditioners before the photos. |
| 2 | Shoot in daylight and keep personal items out of frame. |
| 3 | Have ownership documents and the furniture list ready. |
| 4 | Compare prices with similar units in the same building. |
This is general information and not legal or tax advice.
