If you’ve been a landlord for any length of time, you’ll know how frustrating it is when viewings end up being a complete waste. You’ve made the effort, maybe travelled over, and within five minutes you realise the person in front of you was never serious. Or worse, they don’t turn up at all.
The truth is, the difference between wasted time and finding a great tenant often comes down to preparation. Here are five things we do – and that you can do too – to make viewings more productive and attract tenants who are genuinely the right fit for your property.
1. Get tenants to fill out a quick pre-viewing form
A short form – we use a simple Google Form – is enough to filter out those who aren’t committed. It only takes 30 seconds to complete, but it shows they’re serious. If someone won’t give basic details upfront, chances are they wouldn’t have been worth your time.
2. Speak to them before the viewing
A quick phone call saves hours later. You’ll get a sense of their circumstances, whether they’re suitable, and if it’s worth showing them the property at all. Many “no-shows” can be avoided just by having that brief chat first.
3. Use strong adverts with a 3D tour if possible
As landlords, we want enquiries, but not just any enquiries – the right ones. A well-written advert with clear photos, a floor plan, and ideally a 3D tour helps people decide if the property works for them before booking a viewing. That way, you’re not showing the property to people who were only curious or never had real intent to rent.
4. Advertise everywhere, not just the portals
Most landlords rely on the big platforms – and they’re important – but not everyone uses them. Tools like OpenRent give you wide exposure, but you’ll reach a different audience if you also post in local groups and communities. We’ve had plenty of success finding quality tenants this way, particularly those who may not be scrolling Rightmove daily.
5. Ask questions, not just “show the house”
This is a big one. Don’t treat a viewing like a quick tour. Ask questions: what they do for work, how they spend their time, even little things like hobbies. It’s not about prying – it’s about building a picture of who they are. You’ll get a much clearer sense of whether they’ll be the right fit for your property.
Speaking from experience, I’ve been on the receiving end where an agent barely said a word and just walked me through. It left me feeling like they hadn’t got to know me at all, and yet they were supposed to go back and recommend me to the landlord. As a landlord, wouldn’t you want your agent to really know who’s asking for the keys to your investment?
Final thought
The goal isn’t just filling the property quickly – it’s securing tenants who are reliable, respectful, and likely to stay. By filtering early, improving adverts, and having real conversations at viewings, you’ll waste far less time and end up with tenants you’re happy with in the long run.