Are you missing out on the rent for your apartment?

The rental yield of any apartment to a fine extent, but not entirely, depends on what the nearby lessor are charging. This is a standard based on prevailing rates according to the supply and demand. In areas like Tellapur, homeowners can charge higher because the supply of tenants is quite high due to the connectivity to major office areas like Financial District.

But it’s not just about the prevailing rates, it’s more than that – knowing your target tenant, their needs, and capitalizing on that. Let’s see one by one what really influences the rental yield, how you can improve upon that factor, and ultimately decide whether you’re charging right or less.

1. Location – This is a given, considering similarly build properties cost more in posh areas than in not-so-posh areas. With a higher upfront payment for acquiring the property, you expect a higher rent and a premium for the connectivity and other amenities that the apartment provides

Within the same neighbourhood, micro-pockets create meaningful differences in rental value. Apartments located closer to daily conveniences. For example, a supermarket, a reliable cab pick-up point, or a safer internal road, naturally draw more interest. Even factors such as how easy it is to enter and exit the community during peak traffic, or whether the immediate surroundings are noisy or cluttered, shape what tenants feel is “worth paying for.” When a location consistently attracts a specific tenant segment, like tech employees or parents targeting a particular school, the rental range stabilises and becomes more predictable.

2. Supply and demand – This sets the bed for how much you can actually charge for your apartment. At any given point of time, you may have 0 or 5 tenants interested in your property. Demand also fluctuates during peak moving seasons (March – June), after new corporate expansions, or when multiple new towers get handed over at once. Oversupply can temporarily push rents down until occupancy stabilises.

- In real estate clusters driven by tech parks, demand spikes whenever companies expand or resume office attendance.

- Conversely, when too many similar units are listed at once – especially after handover – you may face price competition until occupancy increases.

- Short vacancy cycles (flats getting rented within a week) are usually a strong sign that you can increase rent slightly without losing interest.

3. Size – At the core, higher the size of the apartment, higher the rent and vice versa. But this is not always true, smart layouts with a larger living room, better ventilation, or extra storage sometimes rent faster than a technically larger but poorly designed unit. For someone, multiple balconies over bigger rooms might be just what works.

Ceiling height, window placement, and natural light dramatically shift the sense of openness. People often value the parts of the home where they spend the most time, so a spacious balcony or a functional utility area can influence willingness to pay more than raw area numbers.

4. Furnishing – If your apartment is furnished, you command a higher price. The thing to note is that you’re not just offering beds to sleep, but also the convenience and cost savings that come as tenants don’t have to move their furniture, appliances, etc. Furnishings are very well appreciated by bachelors who don’t have personal belongings of such kind and in most cases are renting them out. The hassle-free move to your house is a very positive advantage.

But to note, the downside is that families in most cases would own such items. For them, it would be not feasible to move in at all.

To fix this conundrum and have flexibility, you should furnish your apartments using rental services which can start and end according to the tenant’s tenure. This ensures your apartment is available for both – bachelors’ convenience and families’ needs.

5. Amenities – The amenities in the gated community can be your strong case for charging a premium. A tenant who requires a specific amenity will readily pay for it. For example, at Aliens Space Station, many golf-enthusiasts willingly pay a premium for the Golf Driving Range. Many such examples can be found.
Even practical amenities like dedicated parking, reliable lifts, security, or 100% power backup can justify a higher rent, especially for families and working professionals.

Related to amenities, the overall lifestyle that’s offered is also of importance. The population density of the community can, to a certain extent, affect the perceived value.

6. Condition/age of property – It’s given that age of the property matters, but what matters more is how the house has been maintained.  A well-painted house with clean flooring, no dampness or cracks, properly working electrical points, smooth doors and windows, intact plumbing, and a fresh, odour–free bathroom instantly feels ‘move-in ready’– and that’s what lets you justify a higher rent.

Small signs of wear like stiff windows, faded laminates, or slight damp patches quickly signal that the house may require ongoing fixes. Tenants read these subtle cues more sharply than owners expect. Even the air quality when the door first opens creates a first impression: a dry, clean–smelling home feels maintained, while a musty one doesn’t. Older buildings that visibly invest in upkeep (clean lobbies, well-kept landscaping, serviced lifts) often command better rents than newer but poorly managed ones, because the everyday experience feels more reliable.

7. Tenant’s Profile – Different tenants optimise for different things, and aligning with the right profile affects both rent and vacancy.

- Bachelors/working professionals look for furnished homes, proximity to offices, fast internet, and flexible deposits. They pay more for convenience and ready-to-move setups.

- Families prefer semi-furnished homes, larger kitchens, nearby schools, and peaceful surroundings. They may not pay a high premium, but they stay longer and reduce vacancy risk.

- Corporate tenants (company leases) usually offer the best rental yield. They prioritise new projects, full maintenance, and safety – and are willing to pay for it.

8. View, floor, and others – A clear view, good daylight, and ventilation often matter more than floor number alone. Two identical units priced the same can perform differently simply because one feels brighter or more open. Higher floors attract tenants who prioritise quiet and privacy, while lower floors appeal to those who dislike elevator dependence. Corner units, units with better privacy from neighbouring balconies, and homes shielded from heat during peak summers often command subtle but consistent premiums. Noise from construction, generators, or busy internal roads also influences a tenant’s willingness to stretch their budget.

9. Deposit – Deposits act as both a filter and a signal. A very high deposit narrows the enquiry base even if the rent is competitive, while a balanced number widens interest without substantially adding risk, especially when inventory checks and documentation are thorough. Offering small flexibilities, like splitting the deposit into two payments, often accelerates occupancy and reduces the hidden cost of leaving the flat vacant for a month.

10. Pets – If your property allows pets, you can charge a clear premium – not because the house is larger or has a big lawn, but simply because pet-friendly homes are rare. Even if the apartment is small or the balcony isn’t huge, tenants with pets are willing to pay extra just to avoid rejection. You can set sensible rules to protect your property: restrict pets from climbing on sofas, mandate monthly deep cleaning for fur-heavy breeds, or require tenants to use a designated pee-pad area on the balcony. The idea isn’t to micromanage them, it’s to create boundaries that keep the house in good condition while still giving them the comfort of staying with their pet.

11. Accessibility – Location may decide interest, but accessibility decides whether someone is willing to stretch their budget. Homes that sit within a 10 –15 minute radius of malls, schools, hospitals, supermarkets, metro stations, and major office areas automatically command a higher rent. People pay for convenience, shorter commutes, easier grocery runs, quicker doctor visits.

At the end of the day, the “right rent” isn’t a guess, it’s a combination of what the market is paying and what your specific home can justify. If your property scores well on even a few strong factors like maintenance, accessibility, furnishings, a good layout, or simply being pet-friendly, you’re likely leaving money on the table by sticking to the average rate.

Instead of anchoring yourself to what others are charging, evaluate your apartment across the factors above and price it based on the value it actually delivers.