Vandalism of Period Features

There are some small 3 bed semis around here where the third bedroom is above the hall and is tiny.
They only rent to families with young children. I have considered buying and make two bed 2 bathroom to appeal to young professionals.
Our agent says "most people dont want that"
but that is the point, if a tennant wants 2b+2b then we are the only game in town. I have not done this but I do wonder.

I would lean toward advertising it as retro-chic as already suggested, with a slightly low rent. There will be someone out there who will tolerate or appreciate it, but it limits the market. However, I would be weighing the cost of replacing the bathroom vs. reduced rent over time. I would agree that a new, modern bathroom would make it easier to let.

Gunga Din

I would leave it - it will appeal to someone Not everyone wants to be the same as others. I would make it into a feature on the listing - what goes round comes round.

Reply to the comment left by "Joe Armstrong" at "10/01/2017 - 22:51":

just leave it--i cannot believe noone will rent just because bathroom is an acquired taste

Keep it. The agent is probably right in that most people wont like it, but exaggerating a little. Someone will like it (there are plenty of bathrooms in rental properties which couldn't be described as immaculate) and you only need one tenant. If you are in an area of very low tenant demand, but might still be worth marketting and see what happens...

Why not advertise it before you start work and then ask prospective tenants what they would like. I have done that a couple of times, as tenants usually have to give a months notice and love it if they can have a say on decor etc. Doesn't cost anything to advertise early but could save a fortune

Its easy for the agent to spend your money! There will be a tenant out there who will like it. It may take a little longer or the rent may be a little less but I'd weigh this up against the cost of replacing the bathroom with something of a similar quality as well as the additional downtime you will have whilst it is being replaced.

Regards,

Rod.

Hi, we had a semi in great condition except that it had a light blue bath suite (in good condition) it did not let so after 6 months empty we changed the suite to a white one and it immediately let! cannot say for definate that it was the bathroom suite but...... always remember this is a business not a way of saving the nations non-white baths... (joking) If you trust the agent then go with his advice...... good luck

Reply to the comment left by "Joe Armstrong" at "10/01/2017 - 18:15":

As a plumber I have, and still do on occasion, come across man avocado suites. For those of us old enough and with good memories there was a period in the eighties when there was a range of different colour options on bathroom furniture - burgundy, blues, harvest gold, pink, black etc,
and the popular avacado. For whatever reason this phase passed and for the most part these days you can have any colour you want as long as its white !
Agents do not want quirky features in properties that may be a no-no to potential tenants. As most tenants are likely to be young adults then they probably want contemporary furnishings - be it the kitchen, bathroom or the property in general.
You say £400 to replace ? That seems absurdly cheap to me unless you are just having to replace the bath, basin and loo and not having to strip and replace the tiles. If that is the case I would accept that and get it done. You are more likely then to get tenants into the property quickly than have to wait for tenants who have been hunting high and low for a property with an avocado suite !
I totally understand your frustration at being under pressure to remove a perfectly functional suite but unfortunately the reality is that these days we are put under pressure to 'update' the look of kitchens and bathrooms. Remember when pine and dark oak kitchen units were popular - those with all the curvy rebates and moulding on the doors and drawer units (ideal for catching grime) and the antique looking handles. Lovely.
Good luck.

On the few occasions I have had to live in rented property I was far more interested in the size of the garden and the location than the colour of the en-suite bathroom. Here in Bournemouth people are just grateful to be able to rent a house so it's just a matter of supply and demand. Maybe you could experiment by advertising it for a few days to see the response from potential tenants. I have tenants who have stayed for ten years and still in situ who seem unperturbed by coloured tiles and bathroom suites.