At Aspire, we are currently renting properties SIX days faster than our competitors. We have a median “days on the market” of 16, versus the industry average of 22.
So how do we do it?
We have a highly experienced lettings team dedicated to securing quality tenants for every property we manage. We conduct viewings throughout the weekend (including Sundays when a property is vacant), which is a level of service many other property managers do not offer. Every enquiry and viewing is promptly followed up with phone calls and text messages. When there is interest in a property, our team acts quickly to convert that lead into a successful tenancy. Throughout the letting process, we maintain consistent communication, providing regular updates and contacting our owners every Friday to review progress and discuss the strategy for getting the property tenanted.
Tips for reducing vacancy time
Price it right from day one. The first week on the market is when your property gets the most attention. If you overprice at launch, you miss that peak window of interest, and chasing the market down with price drops later sends the wrong signal to prospective tenants. Trust your rent appraisal and list at the mid-range. The maths is simple: one extra week of vacancy at $650/week costs you more than accepting $20 less per week over an entire year.
Invest in your online first impression. Most tenants will scroll past a listing within seconds if the photos don’t grab them. Professional photography is no longer a nice-to-have, it’s essential. Before the photographer arrives, declutter, mow the lawns, and make sure the property is well-lit. Think of your Trade Me listing as a shop window: if it doesn’t look inviting, people won’t walk through the door.
Give tenants a reason to choose you over the property next door. In a market where renters have plenty of options, a small incentive can make all the difference. Consider allowing pets, including water or internet in the rent, or offering a move-in sweetener like a grocery voucher or a week’s free rent. These small gestures often cost less than an extra week of vacancy.
Think like a tenant when you look at your property. Walk through with fresh eyes. Is the kitchen dated? Are the walls scuffed or painted in bold colours that won’t suit everyone? Neutral tones, modern fixtures, and practical upgrades like a dishwasher or quality blinds can significantly widen your pool of applicants. You don’t need a full renovation, sometimes a few targeted improvements make all the difference.
Present it at a higher standard than “reasonably clean and tidy.” That’s the legal threshold outgoing tenants must meet under the Residential Tenancies Act, but it’s not the standard that attracts quality tenants. A professional clean, freshly touched-up paintwork, and completed maintenance items show prospective tenants that you care about the property. That first impression at a viewing is often what seals the deal.
Be flexible with reasonable requests. If a strong applicant asks for a house wash, a spider spray, or new curtains in the bedroom, consider saying yes. The cost of accommodating a request is almost always less than another fortnight of vacancy, and tenants who feel heard from the start tend to stay longer and look after the property better.
The bottom line: tenants have choices right now, and your property needs to earn their attention. The owners who are tenanting quickly are the ones pricing realistically, presenting well, and being open to what the market is telling them.
If you’d like a fresh perspective on your property’s presentation or pricing strategy, talk to our lettings team, it’s what we do best. And if you’re not already with Aspire – contact us today and make the change!