When it comes to rental properties with outdoor space, it’s not always a huge selling point. That’s because many renters, particularly young professionals, just don’t have the time or inclination to maintain a garden. But, if you created an outdoor kitchen in your yard or garden area, you could not only add value to your property, but it just might attract the best tenants, too.
Outdoor kitchens are a relatively new, but growing trend in the UK, so why not take a look and see if it’s something that could work for your Buy-to-Let (BTL) property? If your property is in a part of the country that gets the best weather, or it’s an easy space to add an all-weather awning, then it could be just the change your investment needs to increase your yield and impress new tenants.
“An outdoor kitchen might sound like a big job, but it doesn’t have to be and it can help you utilise any outdoor space you have, that’s often-considered extra work for busy tenants” said Nationwide skip hire, Proskips. “By creating a usable space outside, you’re freeing up more space inside and that’s something plenty of tenants are willing to pay for.”
Keep Things Low Key
We know the title ‘outdoor kitchen’ sounds a bit grand, but you could keep it small and useful and still make the most of that outdoor space. Pizza ovens are an increasingly popular outdoor cooking addition. And if you don’t want to add work tops and sinks, you could simply go for an outdoor fridge and suitable folding table.
Anything that means you can prepare your food, cook and eat it outside, constitutes an outdoor kitchen and will encourage your tenants to use it and look after the space, too.
“Low maintenance but useful ways of using all the space your rental property has to offer, is always a winner in the BTL rental market,” said Assetgrove. “Oftentimes, less is more, so keep any outdoor kitchen small and manageable to secure a slightly higher rent and great tenants.”
Or, Go Bigger, and Reap the Rewards
If your kitchen and/or garden are due for a refurbishment, then you could really go to town with this trend and create an amazing rental home for someone. Ensure you’ve got the right all-weather awning available to protect your outdoor kitchen, then simply extend your indoor kitchen beyond the exterior walls.
Think work tops, cupboards, built-in fridge and even a hob if you think it’s worth it. If not, a set space for a BBQ and a sink will also be welcome and well-utilised additions. You just need to get the key details right, such as a space for seating or a well fitted decking area and your outdoor kitchen is sure to wow any prospective tenants you show round.
“The ‘wow’ factor, is often something that people think is reserved for home buyers, but, with a growing rental market across the UK, it’s slowly becoming equally important to renters too,” said Marylebone estate agent, Kubie-Gold. “You can add the wow factor with an outdoor kitchen – big or small – and create additional space for your tenants too and that’s something many people will be very impressed by!”
