Sustainability considerations when doing property renovations
Here are considerations you may like to take into account if you are planning to do property renovations to any of your investment properties.
We have talked about better light, better fresh air flow and other features regarding improving the property for sustainable living but one idea that we have not mentioned is the designing of the home with better access and safety features with the purpose of the property being more user friendly during the life stages of the occupiers.
The features
Possible features would include:
- a ramp to the front door
- doors wide enough for wheelchairs (they are less bulky than they used to be)
- a shower that does not have a step into it
- taps that are easier to use for arthritics
- adjustable shower head
- handles on the toilet wall
- handles in the shower recess or over a bath
- heated bathroom light fitting
- TV and internet connections in the bedrooms
A landlord’s first thought may be “people don’t stay long enough” but there are two issues here:
- you may want to attract older tenants or you may have younger tenants, but the tenants could also include an older relative who would need these features
- from a resell point of view it would be better to consider including these features in any property renovation that you may consider doing
Definitely these changes are worth considering if you plan on selling the property within the next 5 years as many of the property buyers could be baby boomers as they downgrade.
Filed Under: Property Investment Tips • Renovations
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