Low-Cost Refresh Ideas That Add Rental Property Value

If you’re a landlord, you don’t need a full renovation to make your property more appealing, you just need the right “refresh” jobs that help it rent faster, attract better applicants, and reduce early niggles. In this guide, we share low-cost, high-impact improvements you can do between tenancies to help your property to rent in Clapham stand out, without spending a fortune (or losing weeks to builders).

At Your Home Managed, we see it all the time: two similar homes, one lets quickly and the other doesn’t. The difference is usually presentation, practicality, and a handful of simple upgrades.

Start with the “first 60 seconds” upgrades

When someone walks into a viewing, they decide how they feel about the property almost instantly. These jobs are cheap, quick, and make the biggest difference.

• Front door and entrance: a clean door, working handle, tidy mat, and clear house number
• Lighting: bright, warm bulbs (consistent colour tone throughout looks more premium)
• Decluttered feel: fewer visual distractions (even in an unfurnished property - think cables, leftover fixings, random hooks)

Tip: if you want more enquiries for your property to let in Clapham, invest in the entrance and hallway. It sets the tone for the whole viewing.

Paint: the best return for the least hassle

A fresh coat of paint is still one of the most cost-effective improvements you can make!

What works well for rental properties:

• Light neutrals (they photograph well and suit most furniture)
• Consistent finish across rooms (mismatched shades make properties feel “bitty”)
• Easy-clean paint in high-traffic areas like hallways and kitchens

Quick wins:

• Touch up scuffs and marks around light switches, door frames, and skirting boards
• Paint internal doors if they’re tired (a small change that feels surprisingly “new”)

Shortcut: take photos right after decorating. Those images can carry your listing into the future.

Flooring fixes that make the property feel newer

Flooring is one of the first things tenants notice, and it heavily influences whether a place feels clean.

Low-cost, high-impact options:

• Deep-clean carpets professionally (often cheaper than replacement and makes a huge difference)
• Replace only the worst room if budget is tight (typically hallway or living room)
• Consider hard-wearing vinyl lookalikes in kitchens and bathrooms for a cleaner, modern finish

If you’re aiming to attract stronger applications, flooring matters. It’s one of the easiest ways to make a property feel looked-after.

Kitchen refresh without replacing the kitchen

You don’t need a new kitchen to make it feel updated.

Try these in order of cost vs impact:

• Replace cupboard handles (instant modernisation)
• Re-seal around the sink and worktops (clean lines = “well maintained”)
• New tap if the current one looks dated (surprisingly transformational)
• Worktop wrap or replacement of a damaged section (if it’s the thing letting the room down)
• Fresh grout and silicone (makes the whole kitchen feel cleaner)

Tip: a kitchen that looks clean photographs better, which helps your listing jump out when people are scrolling for a property to rent in Clapham.

Bathroom: clean, bright, and mould-free beats “luxury”

Bathrooms don’t need to be fancy. They need to feel hygienic and easy to look after.

The jobs that pay off:

• Replace tired silicone (around bath/shower and sink)
• Re-grout where it’s stained
• Fit a new shower curtain or screen sealant
• Upgrade small bits: toilet seat, mirror, towel rail, shower head

Viewing tip: if the bathroom smells fresh and looks bright, tenants assume the rest of the home is maintained too.

Storage and practicality: the things tenants really care about

A property that “works” day-to-day gets fewer complaints and longer tenancies.

Low-cost improvements that add practicality:

• Add a shelf or rail in awkward cupboards
• Fit hooks in hallways (coats/bags)
• Install a small shoe/storage bench in family homes (if furnished)
• Make sure wardrobes (if provided) are sturdy and usable

If you manage a portfolio, you’ll know: tenants stay where life feels easier.

Keep it cosy (without big building work)

We’re not talking big upgrades here, just changes that make the property feel warmer and cheaper to run.

Smart, simple tweaks:

• Thick curtains (or curtain poles ready for tenants)
• Draught excluders on external doors
• Bleed radiators so they heat properly
• Replace old thermostat batteries and label controls clearly

Even small comfort upgrades can be the difference between “nice” and “I want this one”.

Presentation tips that help you let it faster

These aren’t “upgrades” but they affect demand massively - and they cost almost nothing.

• Get professional-quality photos - use good light and tidy framing
• List the features tenants search for: parking, storage, garden, transport links, broadband readiness
• Have viewings when the property is bright (midday is your friend)

This is where a good letting agent in Clapham can earn their keep - not just by listing the property, but by positioning it properly so it doesn’t sit on the market.

When to stop spending (and protect your margins)

A refresh should improve rentability, not wipe out your profit.

A simple rule we use at Your Home Managed:

• Spend on what tenants see and feel: cleanliness, flooring, paint, kitchen/bathroom finishes, lighting
• Avoid over-investing in “nice-to-have” features that don’t raise rent or reduce voids

If you’re unsure, think: “Will this help it rent faster or reduce issues later?” If the answer’s no, park it.

Here’s how to keep your tenants happy!

What Next?

If you’d like tailored advice for your specific property - what’s worth doing, what to skip, and how to pitch the listing to attract the right tenant - speak to Your Home Managed. As a property management company in Clapham, we help landlords get their properties rent-ready and keep tenancies running smoothly.

Call 0208 125 7780 or email info@yourhomemanaged.com and we’ll help you plan a refresh that makes sense.

In the meantime, we've answered some of your common questions about rental property upgrades.

FAQs

What’s the single best low-cost upgrade between tenancies?

Fresh paint in a light neutral, plus a professional clean. It makes the property feel cared for and helps photos look sharper.

Should I replace carpets or clean them?

Clean first unless they’re badly worn, stained, or smell musty. If you do replace, focus on the room that drags the property down most.

Do I need to furnish the property to rent it faster?

Unfurnished is common, but a few practical touches (good lighting, clean flooring, tidy presentation) matter more than furniture in many areas.

How can I attract better tenants?

Make the property feel clean, bright, and easy to live in, then price it correctly and market it well. Strong applicants usually have choices, so presentation counts.

Can a letting agent help with this, or is it just about listings?

A proactive agent can advise on quick wins, coordinate contractors, and position your property properly online, which can reduce void periods.