House not renting out yet: any advice?

[Louise2004]

We'd like to rent out our house but the feedback from the viewings so far is that the house is dated. We know this and are having some work done to tidy it up but we don't want to go to the additional expense of putting in new carpets and new bathrooms etc. when there's nothing wrong them (they're just old, but the tiling isn't broken and the carpets aren't frayed or anything), as we plan to do a full renovation at a later date before we move in ourselves.

We've lowered the asking price and are prepared to negotiate down further but what else can we do - any suggestions? Our agent remains optimistic but I'm getting frustrated (maybe I'm just too impatient!).

scaryteacher Pleaes will you stop following me around the boards trying to find a fight.

I feel it makes you look like a vindictive bully and it's not very becoming.

I must admit, I read broke's comment as lower class. And I agree with jellybeans - we are on HB, but both have degrees, etc. Just on a low income with three small children, so get a contribution to our rent from the council.

ST you aren't a vindictive bully. SH is being a leetle passive aggressive I think after the very personal comments she made last time.

It turns out the agent showed the house to some sharers yesterday so hopefully that will work out . This is probably the most likely scenario now anyway seeing as most families are probably already settled for the school year, I would imagine.

'Well you clearly don't like the decor so why do you expect a tenant to do so?' - this is a good comment but, just to clarify, the decor is fine and neutral white/cream throughout and we'd happy to live in it as is (it's just dated): the work we want to do before moving in ourselves is more major, like taking out some walls, rather than simply painting etc.

So, thank you for your help (my next thread sometime in the future will be asking for builder recommendations !). Reducing the rent and/or replacing the carpets will be our main considerations following your suggestions if the house doesn't get any further interest over the next couple of weeks.

Thanks (I just needed to include a random halloween smiley somewhere - they're so cute!)

Get a good carpet cleaner. Why replace a carpet just to let a tenant knacker it? I would not go putting in kitchens and bathrooms - will still cost thousands and you will never make it back.

I would reconsider your agent. We instructed 6 and just invited all offers. In the end we got one we were happy with. This was in central London though, perhaps a bit more dog eat dog, but I am sure you could shop round a bit.