What Renters Really Value at Home — And Where They’ll Pay a Premium

Posted on June 5th, 2026.

If you’ve ever watched a viewing and wondered what tenants really notice, it’s rarely the marble-effect worktop or the “Instagram kitchen island”. Most renters judge a home on whether it will work smoothly day-to-day: can they cook without juggling on tiny surfaces, will the bathroom dry out properly, can they fit real furniture, and does it feel bright and comfortable?

A recent renter-focused survey (carried out room-by-room) backed up what we see on the ground: practical wins outperform trendy upgrades.

The headline: practicality beats “premium”

Across the home, the most consistently valued features are the ones that reduce friction:

  • Counter space and storage where daily routines happen
  • Natural light in key rooms
  • Ventilation and water pressure where comfort matters
  • Enough bedroom space for normal living (not just staging photos)

This is good news for landlords because it means you can often lift rental appeal without a full refurbishment.

What tenants prioritise, room by room

Kitchen: function wins viewings

The kitchen feature renters rate highest is sufficient counter space — the single most wanted item across the entire home.

Next come:

  • Storage
  • Natural light

The interesting part: “show” features don’t score anywhere near as high. A kitchen island, often marketed like the holy grail, matters most to only 10% of renters.

Landlord takeaway: if your kitchen feels cramped, a modest rework that adds usable surface area (even a slimline unit or breakfast bar) can outperform expensive cosmetic upgrades.

Bathroom: ventilation and pressure come first

Bathrooms are judged fast — and tenants are clear on what matters:

  • Good ventilation
  • Good water pressure
  • A bath still matters to many renters

Modern fixtures come well behind this. Heated rails and underfloor heating barely move the needle.

Landlord takeaway: If you want fewer complaints and better tenant satisfaction, prioritise extractor performance and pressure issues before “pretty” upgrades.

Bedroom: space and storage are non-negotiable

The bedroom results are the strongest:

  • Space for a double bed
  • Natural light
  • Built-in wardrobes

Landlord takeaway: awkward layouts, bulky furniture and poor storage reduce desirability instantly. A simple wardrobe solution and a more sensible furniture layout can materially change how the room feels.

Living room: light and layout drive perceived value

In the living room, tenants want:

  • Large windows
  • Space for a corner sofa
  • Easy outdoor access (French doors / similar)

Landlord takeaway: It’s not about “bigger” — it’s about usable space and brightness. Good lighting, a clean layout and uncluttered walls often outperform expensive décor.

What renters will actually pay more for

This is where landlords should pay close attention. When asked what they’d pay a premium for, the top responses were:

  • Private garden
  • Parking
  • En-suite
  • Garage
  • High energy efficiency rating

Landlord takeaway: outdoor space and convenience are powerful. Energy efficiency is climbing up the list too — not just as a “nice to have”, but as a cost-of-living decision.

 

How landlords can use this to upgrade smarter (without overspending)

1) Improve what tenants feel daily

  • Add usable kitchen worktop space
  • Add/upgrade storage
  • Fix extractor fans properly (don’t just replace the cover)
  • Improve lighting in darker rooms

2) Reduce “avoidable complaints”

  • Ventilation and condensation are recurring issues every winter
  • Water pressure problems cause tenant frustration fast
  • Poor storage leads to clutter, which makes properties feel smaller

3) Invest where the market pays you back

If you have the option to improve:

  • Outdoor space presentation (even modest gardens)
  • Secure parking solutions or clearer parking arrangements
  • Energy efficiency improvements that genuinely reduce running costs

If you’re planning improvements this year, the goal isn’t to spend more — it’s to spend where tenants actually value it. We can help you choose upgrades that attract better applicants, support stronger rent positions, and reduce maintenance headaches over the tenancy.

Call Ashmore Residential on 020 8366 9777 or email info@ashmoreresidential.com to book a quick landlord review.

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