£10,000 Invested. Up to £655 More Rental Income Per Month.
Project Overview
This four-bedroom terraced property in Chapel Allerton, Leeds, needed a fresh approach to improve its rental performance.
Previously let room by room with bills included, the property had just two occupied rooms and was generating £895 per month.
The objective was to improve the property's presentation, attract tenants and increase rental income without the cost of a full renovation.
Alongside the refurbishment, Sarah recommended a change in letting strategy, moving to a single household tenancy on a 12-month agreement.
Project Results
Total investment: £10,000, including all works
Previous rental income: £895 per month, with bills included
New rental income: £1,450–£1,550 per month, excluding bills
Monthly rental uplift: £555–£655
Annual rental uplift: £6,660–£7,860
Estimated investment payback: 16–18 months
Let on a 12-month single household tenancy
Reduced management complexity and potential void risk
The Approach
The aim was to make the property more attractive to the local rental market while keeping refurbishment costs under control.
Rather than replacing kitchens, carpets and fittings unnecessarily, the project focused on cost-effective improvements that would make the home feel brighter, more modern and better maintained.
The change in letting strategy was just as important. Moving away from individual room lets to a single household tenancy created an opportunity for more consistent occupancy, simpler management and stronger rental income.
Scope of Works
Internal Improvements
Full redecoration throughout
Professional carpet cleaning
Kitchen units wrapped for a modern finish
Property dressing and styling to showcase the space
External Improvements
Attic window replaced
Guttering repaired
Exterior rendered and painted
Garden cleared and tidied
Fence painted
Bamboo screening installed for privacy
Scaffolding arranged as part of the works
Rental Performance
| Before | After | |
|---|---|---|
| Letting strategy | Room-by-room, bills included | Single household, bills excluded |
| Occupancy | 2 rooms occupied | Fully let |
| Monthly rental income | £895 | £1,450–£1,550 |
| Annualised rental income | £10,740 | £17,400–£18,600 |
The Outcome
With £10,000 invested in targeted improvements, the property was refreshed, restyled and repositioned for the rental market.
The change from individual room lets to a single household tenancy helped deliver an increase of up to £655 per month in gross rental income, while reducing the complexity of managing multiple tenancies.
This project demonstrates how property refurbishment and the right letting strategy can work together to improve rental performance without the expense of a complete renovation.
Looking to Improve Your Rental Property's Performance?
Whether you're preparing a property for new tenants, planning a refurbishment or reviewing your letting strategy, I can help you identify the improvements that will make the biggest difference.
