Tenant wants us to put in a shower

[astragirl]

We have a newly refurbished flat up for rent in London with an agency. It was originally on for £200 a week, and then got reduced to £185 as advised by the agency. We have now got a tenant who wants to pay £170 and has asked us if we could put in a shower instead of just having a bath. Should we do as he asks or tell him to sling his hook?

Another reason why I won't rent a home with no shower already in it. And I check to see how it works, too, at teh viewing.

Is the ceiling a false one? If so it could just be removed without much fuss.

You will need excellent ventilation in a small bathroom regardless of whether you have a bath or shower.

Do similar flats in the same area for the same price have showers? If they do, you ought to put one in.
Personally, I wouldn't pay an extra month's rent a year for the privilege of having a shower (assuming you would accept £170 if you didn't have to put in a shower)...

Yep, put the shower in.

You have to ask yourself how long the property might remain vacant if it doesn't have what many people regard as an 'essential' these days. A couple of months void period wipes out any gains.

It is finally a renters market!

I started renting out my old flat last year and the tenants asked for a shower to be installed. I think most people expect it - particularly for a working couple in London, as in my case, so would apply to you too. I suspect my tenants may not have taken the flat otherwise - if you don't put one in it may take an awful lot longer to rent out.

It doesn't have to cost much. I just installed an overhead mixer from the bath, plus tiling, shower curtain etc. Or an electric shower would cost around £400. Worth it just so you don't miss out on a further months' rent.