Student lettings

With a limited number of ‘halls’ places available and a rising number of undergraduates, you’ll be making a great investment if you choose student lettings. Move Places Investor Club has properties for sale near the UK’s leading universities, so there will be tenants waiting for every purchase you make through us.

Why invest in student lettings?

A continual supply of students from the UK and overseas
Parental guarantors and upfront rent payments are common
Above average yields, especially for those buying below market value properties
12 months of rent in return for properties being vacant over the summer
Managing agents who focus solely on student lets for an arm’s length investment

With universities in almost every major town and city, there really are investment opportunities around every corner. As well as a choice of locations, there’s also a choice of student accommodation, which includes:

Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO)

When you think about a typical student house, you’ll probably imagine a HMO. A HMO is defined as a building, or part of a building, where at least three tenants live, forming more than one household (a household is defined by the Government as either a single person or members of the same family who live together). A large HMO is classed as a property where at least five tenants live, forming more than one household. All HMOs have shared basic amenities in common, such as a communal kitchen or shared bathroom.

Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA)

Developers are responding to increasing numbers of students by building new apartments specifically with student renters in mind. These brand-new blocks often have communal facilities, a proximity close to the university’s campus sites, bills included, brilliant broadband and high levels of security. In fact, this type of accommodation is so student friendly that university housing officers often promote PBSA properties on behalf of landlords.

Standard accommodation

Don’t discount smaller houses and flats that would suit two or three students, especially apartments in established developments. Properties with en-suite bathrooms and large lounge areas rent well and hold their value, especially those within walking distance of campus, shops and transport links.

Considerations before investing in student lettings

Many students expect to rent on a ‘bills included’ basis, which will affect your income calculations. You’ll also have to factor in a high turnover of tenants, and plan for increased wear, tear and unintentional damage. The good news is student let landlords can schedule maintenance for when students vacate over the summer months. Remember, if you are chasing yields in university locations away from home, you may need a professional property manager to look after the day-to-day running of the let.