There's more to being a landlord than chasing after mice, not spending security deposits and arguing with tenants about their dogs: there's also an asset to maintain.
And with more and more so-called 'accidental landlords' in the UK - those who have inherited or bought a property they cannot sell and, due to demand in the rental market, are forced reluctantly to let - some property owners may need a few tips on how to get the best out of their most marketable asset.
One of those tips is to focus on converting your property and embracing green solutions. As the National Landlords Association's (NLA) Carolyn Uphill notes, there are a host of advantages for those landlords who up the eco credentials of their property.
"Landlords [who put the time and effort into going green] demonstrate that they are responsible and are looking out for their tenants," said Ms Uphill. And the expert - a judge of the NLA Property Women Awards 2012 - notes that those leasers who work hard to stand out from the crowd will, in turn, attract the best tenants.
"Tenants can also take comfort from the fact that they will have lower energy bills, which is less of a burden, and means that landlords are also more confident that the tenants can afford to pay rent," she says. "Most tenants are a lot more savvy about saving energy - not always with regard to saving the planet, but to keep energy costs down."
But on average those who rent pay more than those who own their home in energy costs, coughing up £31 more over the course of a year than those who own their own home.
For that reason, taking steps such as insulating your properties, fitting double-glazed windows and installing cost-effective appliances can pay dividends for your tenants, lower their bills and improve their relationship with you.
And another simple switch you can make in your rental home is to replace traditional bulbs with LED lighting. Not only do low-energy lighting solutions such as flush ceiling lights help drive down bills, they provide the same warm illumination as traditional bulbs, while showing your tenants that you care about their energy costs as well as the environmental impact of their home.
