The Ultimate Guide to HMO Staging: How Aben Interiors Can Maximise Your Property’s Appeal
House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) properties are becoming more and more popular with property investors. They offer a higher return compared to standard buy-to-lets. However, to make the most of this market, staging your HMO property is crucial. Staging isn’t just about adding a couple of cushions. It’s about creating a space that appeals directly to your ideal tenants, helping them to see themselves living there. It’s been shown to reduce time spent on the market and increase the rents.
In this blog, we’ll explore what HMO staging is, the value it brings to property investors, and how Aben Interiors can take the hassle out of staging, ensuring your property looks show home ready.
What is HMO Staging?
HMO staging is the process of furnishing and styling an HMO property to improve its appeal to prospective tenants. Rather than leaving rooms empty, staging focuses on creating an inviting space that makes a great first impression. It’s different from staging a flip project, because we focus here on creating those final touches rather than starting from scratch. The goal is to build on the work you’ve completed in your renovation and help it all come together beautifully while helping it to command higher rents and attract long-term tenants. What is not to love about that?
The Value of HMO Staging
You’ll have heard it before, but it really is an investment. HMO staging can add so much value if you’re willing to invest in it, just sit and watch those returns. Here are just a few:
1. Maximise Rent Potential
A staged HMO can command significantly higher rents. When tenants walk into a stylish, well-furnished property, they see the potential of the space and are willing to pay more for a home that feels premium and move-in ready. Quality staging can showcase how functional the space is, removing any doubt from your tenants minds.
2. Faster Occupancy
In competitive rental markets, first impressions matter. A professionally staged HMO stands out in listings and viewings, making it more likely that potential tenants will choose your property over others. We focus on creating aspirational spaces that make tenants feel they’re getting more than just a room. They’re getting a home. And the added benefit? This leads to faster occupancy, reducing costly void periods.
3. Target the Right Tenants
Different HMO properties cater to different tenant types, whether that’s students, young professionals, or even corporate tenants. Staging allows you to tailor the look and feel of the property to match your target market. We take time to understand who you want to attract, ensuring that the design appeals directly to their tastes and preferences. And don’t forget the actual property, we also ensure it matches perfectly with the decor within the property.
4. Feel proud of your property
It might not add to your bottom line, but we know how important it is that you feel proud of each property you add to your portfolio. Our staging service helps you finish off your project perfectly. Allowing you to get those all important pictures for your website and social media to showcase your incredible property at its best.
How HMO Staging Works with Aben Interiors
At Aben Interiors, we understand that time is of the essence in property investment. That’s why our HMO staging process is designed to be simple, efficient, and stress-free. Here’s how we work with you to stage your property for maximum appeal:
1. Initial Call
We begin with a quick call to discuss your property, your timeline, and your target market. This allows us to tailor the staging to the specific needs of your HMO, whether that’s young professionals, students, or corporate renters. After this call, we’ll also ask for pictures of your current design so we can ensure that the staging complements the existing look and feel of the property.
2. Quotation and Date Booking
Once we’ve got the details we need, we’ll provide you with a detailed quotation and hold a provisional date for 5 days while you review it. This way, you’ll have plenty of time to look over our proposal and make sure it fits your needs. Once you agree to the quotation, your booking is confirmed, and we start preparing everything behind the scenes to ensure a smooth staging process.
3. Installation Day
On the day of installation, our team will arrive at your property with a perfectly curated staging kit. We bring everything with us to complete the job, including manpower! We ensure the property is fully staged and ready to impress, leaving you with a home that feels modern, functional, and aspirational.
4. Professional Photography
We’ll arrange for a professional photographer to capture stunning images of your newly staged HMO. These high-quality photos will showcase the property at its best, helping you market it effectively online and attract interest quickly. You’ll receive copies of the photos within 48 hours usually, ready to be used in your marketing materials and property listings.
5. De-Staging Options
At this point you have several options: We can either take everything away, keep it all in place for 6 weeks or more; or we can leave you with one room staged as a ‘show room’ to continue impressing potential tenants. This flexibility ensures that you get the most value out of the staging process.
Why Choose Aben Interiors for Your HMO Staging?
At Aben Interiors, we understand the challenges that come with HMO properties. Our experience in property investment means we know exactly what investors need to get the best return on their investment. Here’s why we stand out:
- Tailored Solutions: We don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach. Each HMO is unique, and we customise our staging services to match your property’s specific needs and target market.
- Experience in HMO Design: We have extensive experience working with HMO properties, so we know how to make your property appeal to your ideal tenants. Our staging
- Stress-Free Process: We handle everything from start to finish—planning, installation, and photography—allowing you to focus on other aspects of your investment. Our goal is to make the process as quick and efficient as possible, ensuring that your property is market-ready without delays.
- Happy Clients: We have lots of lovely reviews from clients we’ve worked with in the past, if you’d like to see them let us know!
HMO staging is a powerful tool for property developers who want to maximise their rental income and minimise void periods. We keep the process simple and efficient and help take the hassle away so that you can get back to building your portfolio. Whether you’re renting out rooms to professionals, students, or corporate tenants, we’ll help your property stand out against its competitors.
Ready to make your HMO shine? Contact us today to discuss your project, or join our Interior Insights mailing list for weekly design inspiration, tips, and property investment strategies!
