The importance of good transport links to tenants
Tweet |
Thu 21 Jun 2018

As a landlord, you'll want to make your rental homes as attractive as possible to prospective tenants, in turn improving your chances of occupying them with ease and receiving a steady stream of rental income.
One way in which your home can be very attractive is proximity to good transport links, particularly for commuters who need to travel elsewhere for work.
So, if your rental home has reliable rail, bus or road links on its doorstep, or a short distance away, make sure you point this out to potential tenants when they come to view your property.
Below, we take a look at why excellent transport links can prove so crucial…
Easy access for work and play
In West Lothian, the area Letting Solutions operates in, we are not far from a number of key areas of employment.
Edinburgh, of course, is Scotland's historic capital and hugely popular among young professionals, creatives and culture vultures; it's also just over 34 minutes by train from Livingston, West Lothian's main commuter town.
For those who work in Edinburgh, then, Livingston – or the towns, villages and suburbs that surround it – would be an ideal choice, with fast access right into the heart of one of the world's best-known capitals.
Glasgow, meanwhile, a place where trendiness meets grit, has become an increasingly popular destination in recent years thanks to considerable regeneration and investment.
It's become a key jobs hub and can be reached in just under an hour by rail and 45 minutes by road. What's more, Falkirk – a large town on the outskirts of West Lothian – is a mere 34 minute drive away.
If your rental home can offer easy access to major cities – and the job opportunities, leisure activities, green spaces and cultural events they offer – demand from tenants is likely to be high.
People often like the ability to work and enjoy themselves in a city or large town, and then escape the hustle and bustle by living in quieter surroundings. As a landlord, you can take full advantage of this. Just so long as you can offer quick, easy transport links to more lively areas.
A key feature
Whenever tenants are surveyed about the features or must-haves that are most likely to sway them towards a rental property, transport links often appear front and centre – up there with local amenities, fast broadband speeds, nightlife, garden space and parking as a vital consideration.
As a landlord, you want to give tenants what they want to increase your chances of filling your homes with long-term tenants who will pay their rent on time and cause you no issues.
If your home can provide good transport links, you'll already be one step ahead of the competition. And you have a ready-made selling point to tempt prospective tenants with.
Of course, the type of transport links required can vary depending on the location of your property. If your home sits in – or very close to – a commuter town, rail links will be most important.
However, if your rental home is located in a more remote location, easy road access and reliable local bus services will be key factors.
Convenience and cost
For many tenants, being close to good public transport links is crucial; whether for work, leisure, visiting family and friends or getting to medical appointments or airports. Those who can't drive can be hindered if rail or bus links are poor, which will make day-to-day life much more inconvenient.
The majority of tenants prefer to live in a convenient location, with good access to local amenities and strong transport links. They will often be willing to travel a little bit further into work, if it means they can live in a quieter part of town.
Families, in particular, are often keen to live away from major cities for the slower pace of life and extra green space on offer, while middle-aged and retired renters – who are growing in numbers in the private rented sector – are also likely to prioritise the chance for a bit more solitude.
The cost of getting to and from work, or to and from a major city, will also be a consideration for tenants. While the cost of transport links is completely out of your control, if you live in a location with speedy and affordable rail and bus links on your doorstep, don't be afraid to point this out.
While transport links may not be as much of a deciding factor as location, the look of a home and high-speed internet (a must-have these days with so much of life lived online and a rise in the number of people working from home), there is no doubt that strong rail, bus and road connections will increase the attractiveness of your property.
For more information about letting your property in Scotland, please get in touch with Letting Solutions on 01506 496 006.
As West Lothian's first dedicated lettings agency, we have the skills and knowledge to help maximise your rental yields and keep your tenants happy.
We also offer a free and instant online valuations to give you an idea of how much you could be charging in rent.
News Archive
March 2022
Rental yields – everything Scottish landlords need to know
Landlord Tips – how to stage your property to attract tenants
Landlords - how to attract tenants this spring
February 2022
A New Deal for Tenants – what are the Scottish Government’s plans all about?
January 2022
New fire safety regulations introduced – what do landlords need to know?
How to maintain your rental property this winter – the top tips
December 2021
Landlords – what are the top 7 most vital factors to consider before letting a property out?
Landlords – why you should list your property before the Christmas period
November 2021
What should landlords do about empty properties over Christmas?
Optimism on the rise – are the good times back for landlords?
October 2021
Electrical Standards - what Scottish landlords will need to know and do from next year
Scottish government announces grant for tenants in rent arrears - what do landlords need to know?
September 2021
Rent controls in Scotland – what do we know?
August 2021
Landlords - why summer is a great time to let a property
July 2021
Revealed - why landlords need to be aware of lighting changes
May 2021
Why it’s still a great time to be a landlord in Scotland
Housing to 2040 – what does it mean for landlords?
April 2021
Energy efficiency in private rented housing – when will the changes occur?
March 2021
Landlords – eight common mistakes to avoid in 2021
Landlords – four ways to improve your property this spring
February 2021
Landlords – why good broadband can help make your home more valuable
January 2021
Covid update – Scotland goes into a full lockdown, what do you need to know?
November 2020
Update – rents in West Lothian have increased above the rate of inflation since 2010
Covid-19 FAQs for landlords – what can and can’t you currently do?
Landlords – here are some top tips to reduce rent arrears
October 2020
The latest Covid-19 restrictions in Scotland and what they mean for landlords
September 2020
How to be a good landlord in 2020
News roundup – landlords call for direct government help plus short-term let regulation
August 2020
Revealed – what is the current Covid-19 advice for landlords in Scotland?
July 2020
How can landlords make a rented property feel like a home?
A potential saving for landlords? Scottish government announces cut to LBTT
June 2020
Landlord news update - Bill proposing cap on rent rises is abandoned
Landlords – dealing with tenants during the lockdown
May 2020
News roundup – Scotland home to UK’s highest yields and BTR growth north of the border
Preparing your rental property for a viewing – the top tips
April 2020
Buy-to-let mortgage holidays – what do landlords need to know?
March 2020
Landlords – here’s how to create the perfect rental property for tenants
Three ways to improve your rental property
January 2020
Deposit research and huge landlord fine highlight importance of compliance
How to renovate a rental property on a budget
December 2019
Property price update – why West Lothian is the perfect location for landlords
Landlords – here’s why you should have faith in the Scottish market
November 2019
Boost for landlords as tenant sentiment remains high
The heating conundrum – can you box off your thermostat?
October 2019
Rental trends – what are tenants looking for in a property?
How to be a responsible landlord
August 2019
Where are Scotland’s overseas investors from?
Tenancy deposit protection – how can landlords remain compliant?
HMRC clampdown on underpaid tax – what do landlords need to know?
June 2019
What do renters want from their property? Top 10 features revealed
What do landlords need to do before tenants move in?
May 2019
Landlord insurance and home insurance - what are the key differences?
The Latest on the property market and Brexit
A guide to getting a mortgage with bad credit
March 2019
How to keep condensation to a minimum in your rental properties
February 2019
Why Scotland remains an ideal buy-to-let hotspot for investors
January 2019
Plans to raise rate of additional dwelling tax – what does this mean for landlords?
Tenant immigration checks – could they be introduced in Scotland?
December 2018
2019 – what do landlords need to look out for?
Landlords - is your letting agency part of the Register of Letting Agents?
November 2018
Strong yields and growing property prices boost Scotland’s landlords
Buy-to-let mortgages – what do landlords need to know?
How to make your rental property suitable for families
October 2018
Why landlords need to work with a compliant letting agent
Scottish landlords and tenants show poor awareness of key deposit rules
September 2018
Why you need to pay attention to inventories
First-time landlord? Here’s what you need to know
August 2018
Why it’s important to respond quickly to repairs requests
Why is tenant referencing so important?
July 2018
Landlords - how can you boost the security of your rental properties?
Post navigation How to attract long-term tenants to your rental property
What do landlords need to do to be successful in 2018?
Post navigation New rules for Scottish letting agents: what do landlords need to know?
Post navigation What turns tenants off when viewing a rental property?
Here is why effective marketing is vital when letting your home
Post navigation Dates for a landlords diary in 2018
Post navigation Landlords: here is some reasons why tenants do not get their deposits back
The rise of lifetime renting – why is this good news for landlords?
June 2018
The importance of good transport links to tenants
View older stories >