STUDENT LANDLORDS, IT’S THAT TIME OF THE YEAR

If you are a student landlord at some time you'll hear the words, "Would it be okay if we just left a few things in the property over the summer, before we start our tenancy" or " we will be moving into another house after the summer and your new tenants have said it is okay for us to leave a few things in the property.

Our experience is that they just don't mean a few things. Cupboards will be bulging or the lounge will be full from floor to ceiling.

If you let your properties on a 10 or 11 month contract there will be a void period, when often maintenance and decoration are planned.

Time to consider the issues. The new tenancy hasn't yet started or their tenancy has just finished, so who takes responsibility for the student belongings should they be stolen or damaged? Have half the local student population sneaked in their little bit to the pile, because of your generous gesture?

What if you have to move stuff around during maintenance and cleaning and they are damaged in the process? Who pays?

We no longer allow access to the loft for storage either during or between tenancies. A student left a pile of stuff in there during the summer and on returning, when the other tenants had moved in, climbed the ladder and found the one spot in the loft that wasn't boarded out, putting their foot through the ceiling.

No apology and when we suggested they pay for the damage, not only wasn't there any payment, but there was a hint that they might take the matter further, because the floor in the loft was unsafe and the result was a bruised foot. How's that for trying to be helpful?

Student's don't usually pay to store their goods during a void period so, when we hear the words, "Would it be okay if we just..." the answer is a resounding no!