Tips For Renting To International Students.
June 12, 2015
BRITISH universities are experiencing a boom in foreign students, with the number of international students coming to the country to study having soared by 67% in 10 years.
With the percentage of overseas students at British universities expected to rise from 15 per cent of all students in 2008 to 21 per cent in 2018, this influx presents a real opportunity for letting agents to capitalize on.
But this new chance at a wider tenant base comes with its own set of issues.
First, overseas students are less likely to be able to visit a property before signing a tenancy. We are increasingly seeing agencies use property videos and even the current darling of the tech world Periscope to give guided tours around properties.
Secondly, although they may good at hitting the books, do they know their mould from their mildew? And more significantly, when it comes to their responsibilities, will they understand what you’re talking about?
Ensuring that you’re speaking the same language as your tenant when it comes to reporting problems and repairs is the best way to get ahead in this market. One of the major problems with letting to students, particularly international ones, is a disconnect when it comes to communications. You need to make it crystal clear to your tenants exactly what their responsibilities around the house are, regardless of their nationality.
Fixflo’s online reporting system is available in over 40 languages and lets tenants know exactly what they are responsible for fixing, so you won’t be bothered with calls about changing lightbulbs. It also provides simple self-help steps to fix basic problems so tenants all around the world can be part of their own solutions. A tool like this can prove invaluable to international students who may think that even a basic instruction manual reads like double dutch!
Obviously there are a number of other things to consider when it comes to deciding to enter the student letting market like late night check-ins after they arrive at the airport. Our point is simply that if you do decide to get into this market, don’t be put off the international quotient. In this instance, it might just pay not just to go local…
If you’re a landlord in the student lettings market find an agency in your area who has invested in a Fixflo system to maintain your property more effectively.
You May Also Enjoy
AI property search not yet mainstream
The latest research by GetAgent.co.uk has revealed that while artificial intelligence is increasingly being embraced across the property industry, the technology has yet to become a mainstream tool for buyers and sellers when it comes to searching for and marketing homes. GetAgent commissioned a survey* of UK estate agents to understand how widely AI-powered search…
Read More 
70% of Britain’s housing market is in recovery with prices trending upwards
The latest research from Yopa reveals that 70% of the British housing market is now in recovery with prices trending upwards following the challenging conditions of the past two years. This is despite the broader national picture showing that average house prices have edged down over the last six months. Yopa analysed six months of…
Read More 
Breaking Property News 12/3/26
Daily bite-sized proptech and property news in partnership with Proptech-X. ‘The actual work, making smart procurement decisions, protecting the owner’s budget was buried under a mountain of emails and calls’ Rihards Trops CEO of TenderPro Every property manager knows the feeling. You need to find a contractor, get three comparable quotes, coordinate site visits,…
Read More 
Renters’ Rights Act already driving surge in tenant complaints
“Renters’ Rights effect” drives unprecedented demand dispute resolution Industry redress scheme flooded with enquiries ahead of Act going live in May THE IMPENDING implementation of the Renters’ Rights Act has already led to unprecedented demand for The Property Ombudsman’s services, as more tenants seek support to resolve disputes fairly and independently. In the four…
Read More 
Rights Act: Key changes renters need to know — new rules start on 1 May 2026
The Renters’ Rights Act is a major overhaul of the rules that govern renting in England, the biggest in decades. Propertymark, the UK’s leading body for property professionals, wants renters to understand what’s coming and how it will affect them. The next wave of changes under the Act will take effect on 1 May 2026.…
Read More 
What Would Make Me Stay: How Tenants Are Redefining What Home Really Means
68% of tenants say the single biggest factor that would make them stay in their rental home long term is the relationship with their landlord or agent, above rent levels, location, or the quality of the property itself. That is the headline finding from LRG’s Winter 2025/26 Lettings Report, and it points to something the…
Read More