Rawlins Davy has been helping clients since 1835 and hold a wealth of legal knowledge and expertise. Every year, students move out of Halls of Residence and look for private accommodation so they can complete their studies. Many landlords find the idea of renting a student house a daunting thought. Will they pay the rent on time? Will my property be maintained? Am I meeting health and safety standards? Here is some free legal advice on renting to students to give you peace of mind.
Ensure You Have a Tenancy Agreement
Having a tenancy agreement is standard practice for any property rental, especially if you are renting your property as a student house. A student house is usually a house in multiple occupation (HMO), meaning it is occupied by at least 3 people who are not originally from the same household. A joint tenancy agreement might be the best option in this case. This is signed by all of the residents of the property and makes each tenant equally responsible.
Get A Proper Insurance Policy
A landlord insurance policy is designed to protect you and your property. It usually covers damage to your property, non payment of rent, loss of earnings and liability for accidents in your property causing injury. The students will need to insure their possessions, as this is often not covered in landlords insurance.
Dealing With Anti-Social Behaviour
As the landlord, you are responsible if your tenants are being anti-social at the property. It is your duty to speak to the students if they are behaving in this way. The university that the students are attending may help you deal with anti social behaviour.
Top Tips to Avoid Problems with Your Tenants
One of the best practices with having students as tenants is to keep in touch regularly. The students can easily contact you if there are any problems and you can contact them as well. You should also make sure that the property is in good condition when the tenants move in, to avoid any disputes over damages. This should also include checking to see you are in compliance with all landlord regulations, such as gas and fire checks.
Looking for More Legal Advice on Renting to Students?
Our team of solicitors and mediators are highly experienced in dealing with personal legal services. If you require more legal advice on renting to students, contact a member of our highly qualified team. They can advise you on the necessary steps to take with your issue.
