Finding the right tenants for your rooms and keeping them happy is a delicate balance for any landlord. But when it comes to students and young professionals, understanding their specific needs can make the difference between a challenging tenancy and a rewarding long-term investment.
We look at how to position your rental so it attracts and retains students and young professionals in a growing rental market.
A Growing Market
The rental market for students and young professionals has shifted over the years. With nearly half of UK students now renting from private landlords and young professionals staying in the market longer before buying, it’s a demographic that represents an opportunity for landlords. In cities like Manchester, Liverpool, and London, demand from these groups continues to surge, with some areas seeing seven renters competing for every available room.
What They’re Looking For
While students and young professionals may seem like different markets, they share many similarities when it comes to their needs. Both groups typically prioritise:
Location and Transport
For students, proximity to campus is a major selling point. Young professionals also typically focus on easy commutes to work hubs, even in times of remote and hybrid work. Properties near universities, offices, or with good transport links consistently attract more interest. Be sure to highlight these advantages in your listings, whether it’s a “10-minute walk to campus” or “direct train to city centre.”
High-Speed Internet
Hybrid working and learning environments mean reliable WiFi is just as important as having a working cooker or heating for many students and young professionals. With 41% of UK workers doing some form of remote work, a strong internet connection has become a non-negotiable amenity. If possible, include high-speed broadband in the rent to make your property more attractive.
Furnished Spaces
Most young renters prefer furnished properties. A comfortable bed, desk, and storage solutions are baseline expectations. For young professionals especially, having a dedicated workspace in their room has become an increasingly popular requirement. Landlords offering their rooms furnished would do well to include an ergonomic chair and have good lighting that creates an attractive work-from-home setup.
All-Inclusive Packages
The cost-of-living crisis has made predictability in finances more appealing than ever. Properties offering rent inclusive bills often attract more interest, especially from younger renters. While this requires some calculation on your part, it can lead to faster lettings and longer tenancies. Be clear about what’s included, typically utilities, internet, and sometimes cleaning services for communal areas.
Making Your Property Stand Out
House sharing is becoming more popular, and we’ve seen the rise of co-living spaces that put an emphasis on social living. Renters also want to feel safe in their homes and acknowledge that landlords are adhering to their responsibilities.
Create Social Spaces
While private rooms are important, communal areas can make or break a shared house. A welcoming living room with comfortable seating and a well-equipped kitchen where housemates can cook together can foster a positive living environment. Students and young professionals new to an area particularly appreciate the social aspect of shared living.
To enhance the atmosphere further, consider adding a games area or even a study nook in the communal space. This can make your property stand out from others and appeal to students and professionals who want to make new friends or have a productive environment at home.
Focus on Safety
Security is a top priority. Install locks on bedroom doors, have good external lighting, and maintain all safety equipment like smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. Parents of students particularly value these features, and young professionals appreciate the peace of mind. Plus, it’s part of your landlord obligations.
You may also want to consider a secure entry system, such as key fob access or a buzzer system for entry, which can further enhance safety and appeal to tenants looking for extra security.
Flexible Contracts
Consider offering more flexible tenancy terms. For students, this might mean nine-month contracts aligned with the academic year. For young professionals, the ability to give notice if relocating for work can be attractive. While this requires more management on your part, it can help you stand out in a competitive market.
Flexible contracts could also include options to extend, allowing tenants to stay longer if they are happy with the property. This gives a sense of stability for those who prefer long-term housing options.
However, it’s important to be aware that some insurers require tenancy agreements to be a minimum of six months, as shorter agreements could be considered part of the serviced accommodation market. Landlords should check with their insurers before offering very short-term contracts to avoid potential issues. A flexible contract could still be a six-month tenancy with an option to extend, ensuring that you meet insurance requirements while offering flexibility for your tenants.
Legal Considerations
If you’re renting to multiple tenants, your property likely qualifies as a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO). This brings specific legal requirements, including:
- Mandatory licensing for properties with five or more tenants from two or more households
- Regular safety checks and certificates
- Specific room size requirements
- Fire safety measures
Make sure that you’re fully compliant with local authority requirements, as regulations can vary by area. Regularly review your compliance to avoid any issues, as penalties for non-compliance can be costly.
Proper Tenancy Agreements, Inventories, and Deposit Protection
In addition to ensuring your property complies with legal requirements, it’s crucial to have a proper tenancy agreement in place. This agreement should clearly outline the expectations for both parties, including rent payment dates, maintenance responsibilities and rules regarding shared spaces. An inventory should also be provided at the beginning of the tenancy to prevent disputes about the property’s condition at the end of the lease.
In addition, ensure that the tenant’s deposit is properly protected in a government-approved scheme. This protects both the landlord and tenant, giving peace of mind in case of disputes over the deposit at the end of the tenancy.
Check out our article: Mastering Room Rentals: Essential Landlord Guidance on Tenant Screening and Compliance with Fair Housing Laws.
Creating Strong Tenant Relationships
The most successful landlords in the student and young professional market understand that communication drives everything. Tenants often appreciate a more informal, accessible approach, whether that’s creating a house WhatsApp group for maintenance requests or being readily available to answer questions. Many are living away from home for the first time and value a landlord who can guide them through the rental process.
Building good relationships with tenants often leads to them staying longer and taking better care of the property. It also increases the likelihood of them recommending your property to friends when they move on – particularly valuable in university cities where word-of-mouth recommendations carry significant weight among student communities.
For added engagement, consider hosting a housewarming event or informal meet-up for tenants at the beginning of their tenancy. This can foster a sense of community and help new tenants feel at home, leading to longer stays.
Getting the Flatmate Mix Right
When renting to multiple tenants, it’s important to consider the flatmate mix. A harmonious house-sharing environment is more likely when tenants are well-suited to each other. For example, mixing a 60-year-old with a 20-year-old may create tensions due to differing lifestyles and needs. Ideally, tenants should have similar expectations and lifestyles to avoid conflict and ensure everyone feels comfortable.
Marketing Your Rooms
Timing is everything when marketing to these groups of renters. Students typically start looking for next year’s accommodation between January and March, while young professionals search year-round with peaks in summer and January.
Use platforms where your target tenants are looking, like Room for Rent. High-quality photos, detailed descriptions, and quick response times to enquiries are important if you want to stand out above other listings looking for similar tenants. Also, remember that students and young professionals are likely to research online, so it’s crucial to keep your property’s online presence fresh and up-to-date.
Consider using social media platforms to reach potential tenants, as younger renters often use Instagram or Facebook to search for accommodation. Sharing posts or stories about your property could help attract attention in a competitive market.
Building Long-Term Success
Success in this market comes from understanding that it’s about creating a home where students can study effectively and young professionals can build their careers as much as it is to simply provide a room. This means:
• Regular maintenance and quick repairs
• Clear communication channels
• Fair and transparent policies
• Recognition of changing needs (like improved internet or workspace requirements)
By meeting these needs consistently, you’re more likely to benefit from word-of-mouth recommendations and repeat tenancies. That’s really important in university cities where each year brings a new wave of potential tenants.
Creating Demand
The demand for quality room rentals from students and young professionals shows no signs of slowing. With university enrolments remaining high and more young people renting for longer, landlords who can adapt to meet these needs will find themselves well-positioned in the market.
Your property might be an investment for you, but it’s home for your tenants. Understanding and meeting their needs will help you create a win-win situation, with happy tenants who stay longer and recommend your property to others, and a reliable, profitable investment for you.
If you’re considering entering this market or adapting existing properties, start by assessing your property’s potential. Look at local demand, transport links, and amenities. Small improvements now could lead to significant returns in tenant satisfaction and rental income.
Making Room Rentals Work for Everyone
The room rental market continues to grow, with students and young professionals seeking quality accommodation that meets their needs. You can meet their needs head-on with rooms designed for students and the modern young professional.
List your room on Room for Rent and reach thousands of potential renters across the UK. With dedicated support and no hidden fees, it’s a straightforward way to showcase your property to students and young professionals actively searching for their next home.
