Trying to get into the Sydney market? You may have noticed that things feel a bit Own an investment property in South West Sydney?
If the tenancy has recently changed hands, you’ve likely felt the shift: tenants are becoming more selective.
With greater choice currently available across multiple South West Sydney suburbs, renters are comparing more homes, having a closer look, and prioritising comfort and presentation.
So for investors wanting reliable tenants, your property needs to stand out, not just be compliant – here’s our best tips to make yours more competitive.
Step one: Are you meeting minimum standards?
Before considering cheap cosmetic improvements, it’s essential your property meets NSW habitability standards.
Under NSW tenancy law, every rental property must meet minimum requirements to be legally rented. These include:
- Being structurally sound
- Adequate lighting and ventilation
- Safe electricity or gas supply
- Proper plumbing and drainage
- Reliable hot and cold water
- Functional bathroom facilities with privacy
- Be in a reasonable state of cleanliness and repair.
Meeting these non-negotiables won’t make your property desirable, but failing to meet them will make it unlivable.
First impressions still win.
In today’s market, tenants decide how they feel about a home often within seconds.
But it’s often the simplest and cheapest upgrades that have the greatest impact on first impressions. These include:
- Trimmed gardens, mowed lawns and fresh mulch
- Clean driveways and entryways
Lighten up – without breaking the bank
If there’s one improvement that consistently delivers, it’s decluttering interiors. But amongst removing the junk, there’s ways to update tired spaces to attract (and retain) quality tenants. These include:
- A fresh coat of neutral paint
- Brighter LED lighting
- Replacing outdated fixtures and fittings (e.g. kitchen cabinet handles)
- Removing old window dressings
Maintenance: The silent dealbreaker
Even with cosmetic updates, many investment properties still fall short due to unresolved repairs – quickly turning tenants away. Common problem areas that are worthwhile to fix include:
- Fixing leaking taps
- Repairing doors and fittings
- Addressing damp or mould issues
In practice, tenants see maintenance as a reflection of how they’ll be treated during the lease.
The new reality for landlords
With NSW tenancy laws shifting the balance toward tenant stability, it’s vital that investors focus on attracting the right tenant and keeping them long-term – and in South West Sydney’s current market, that comes down to offering a home people really want to live in.
Prudential Real Estate Macquarie Fields | (02) 9605 5333 | macquariefields@prudential.com.au
Prudential Real Estate Narellan | (02) 4624 4400 | narellan@prudential.com.au
