We Know Property

New research shows the majority of landlords declare students are punctual rent payers, who look after their property. According to the latest survey from buy-to-let lender Paragon, landlords are more than satisfied with their student tenants.

An impressed 81 per cent declared that rents are paid on time, while a further 90 per cent said that their student tenants behaved themselves well during their university stint away from home. A less staggering but still convincing majority of two thirds even went so far as to say that their student tenants had kept their property well-maintained.

Of course, the real lure of the student market is the continuing source of potential tenants, reinforced by 89 per cent of landlords who found that demand was currently thriving.

But if modern students are more responsible and house-broken, the downside for landlords is that they’re also more demanding.  Students say finding a digs within stumbling distance of campus is their first priority, followed by having a pad with an internet connection. And as responsible as students may now seem, drinking still features strongly on the agenda as proximity to the pub was the third on their criteria of where to live.

Satellite television was the fourth stipulation, followed by an impressive standard of white goods. John Heron, Paragon Mortgages managing director, comments: “The ‘Young Ones’ image of students is massively outdated, with the reality being far different.

“As opposed to students being rowdy and destructive tenants, they are looking after the property because they want to avoid losing deposits and incurring costs for repairs and replacements.”  

“Going to university these days is an expensive business anyway, so students have to be more careful with their costs.”

 
“The quality of student sector property stock is in considerably better condition than it was in the past due to a combination of increased investment by landlords and stronger regulation.”Students are behaving better than they did in the past, but in return they are demanding better quality accommodation, with modern features such as internet connection and satellite television.”