rental income - affected by heating?

[annabellina]

We are refurbishing a two bedroom flat in london to a very high standard. Currently it has no gas connection. Flat heated by economy 7 storage heaters. We have just discoverd that gas connection is available but will take about two and half months to sort out. Should we wait to install gas central heating and go without rental income for three months, paying the �575 pcm btl mortgage, or go ahead as originally planned including buying new storage heaters? Does sort of heating make a big difference to rent we can ask, bearing in mind we will be putting it on the market in november? thanks

[dasherman]

Economy storage heaters are pretty crap,I would always put in proper gas central heating everytime.

[fairline]

It won't effect the rental value one iota, but gas ch will be an attraction when you come to sell the property.

[cascarelli]

It may not make a difference to the rent but you may find it easier to rent with GCH. Given the choice of 2 identical properties asking the same rent, most would opt for the one with GCH because its considered more convenient.

Whether thats worth losing 3 months rent for is up to you?

[Carol Anne]

We recently replaced our economy seven heating with GCH. The house is so much warmer for about the same running cost.
Storage heaters are hopeless.

[sponsmith]

I agree with cascarelli.
If the flat is being refurbished to the very high standard that you say, then presumably you're looking for top end rental income?
If i, as a proffesional looking for a high quality flat to rent in Town, would be expecting underfloor heating on a recently refurbished property. Storage heaters? Not the sort of thing i would be looking for to impress or perform.
My advise? do the job properly, maximise profits.
Good luck.

[sponsmith]

advice

[Carol Anne]

Proffesional (sic) what, sponsmith?

[annabellina]

Thanks for the advice.