#StudentLandlords

Summer is often the best time to complete a student property refurbishment. The house may be empty, contractors can work without disturbing tenants, and landlords have an opportunity to improve the property before the next academic year. However, refurbishment does not automatically produce a better return. Some improvements help properties let faster, reduce maintenance and support stronger rents. Others...

Student property can provide reliable demand and attractive rental income. However, successful student letting involves much more than owning a house near a university.Small management problems can quickly become expensive. A delayed repair may cause further damage. An unrealistic rent can create a summer void. Meanwhile, weak paperwork can turn a straightforward disagreement into a lengthy dispute.Many of...

Summer voids have always been one of the biggest risks facing student landlords. A property can perform well throughout the academic year, only for several empty weeks in July, August or September to reduce the landlord’s annual return. One empty month represents roughly 8.3% of a property’s potential annual gross rent. However, summer voids are not simply caused by a shortage of students. They are...

With sweeping changes to tenancy law due to arrive in April 2026, student landlords need to be more proactive than most. While Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) may get a formal exemption, private HMOs are still in the grey zone — and the consequences of getting caught out could be costly. Here’s what we know, and how you can stay ahead.   1. What’s Changing in April 2026? The Renters’...

Mortgage rates might have eased slightly — but borrowing for student HMOs is still tough. Between tighter lending criteria, rent cover ratios, and regulatory scrutiny, landlords face more hoops than ever. Here’s what lenders are really looking for in late 2025 — and what you can do to improve your chances. 1. Are Lenders Still Financing Student HMOs? 📌 Quick Clarification: Even if your...

Winter is coming — and for student landlords, that means two things: rising energy usage and rising complaints. Whether you offer all-inclusive rents or leave bills to your tenants, poor heating management can lead to mould, frostiness (literally and metaphorically), and damage to your margins. Here’s how to run a warm, energy-efficient student house in 2025.1. Heating Strategies That Work in Shared...

The Renters’ Reform Bill is moving closer to reality — and for student landlords, it could change everything. The end of fixed-term ASTs, rolling tenancies by default, and stricter notice periods are all on the table.But what does this mean for student HMOs in practice? Are exemptions coming? And how should landlords prepare now? Here’s what we know (and what we don’t) as of November 2025.1. What...

The student housing sector remains one of the more resilient corners of the rental market — but “resilient” doesn’t mean static. Heading into 2026, landlords need to understand the shifting balance of demand, supply and cost pressures if they’re going to get ahead. This article outlines the key trends, what to watch, and what it could mean for student property investors. 1. Demand Trends: Still...

Damp is one of the most common — and most misunderstood — issues in student housing. As winter sets in, landlords should be proactive in spotting, preventing and educating tenants about damp before it becomes a serious (and costly) problem.   Here’s how to deal with it properly. 1. What Causes Damp in Student HMOs? Most landlords think of damp as a leak issue — but in reality, it’s often caused...

More tenants than ever want to bring their pets with them — and students are no exception. With pressure mounting on landlords to be more flexible, should you allow pets in your HMO?The short answer: it depends. While pets can make a tenant feel at home, they also come with risk — especially in shared accommodation. Here’s what to consider in 2025. 1. What the Law Says (and What’s Changing)Under...