There are more than 30,000 students residing in the city, with nearly half of these in privately owned properties - making studio flats and large houses for multiple occupancy a popular choice with local landlords.

When to advertise

It seems to get earlier and earlier each year, but generally we will collate lists and commence marketing for the following academic year from November, the peak hunt season for students is between November through to February, so make sure you inform us of your property availability nice an early to make the most of the busy period.

SASSH accreditation scheme

Southampton City Council has introduced the Southampton Accreditation Scheme for Student Housing (SASSH) in partnership with the University of Southampton and the Southampton Institute. To join the scheme, an application must be made in writing on the appropriate forms, providing details of the facilities within the accommodation and proof of compliance with safety regulations (among other things). While the truthfulness of an application is taken on trust, council officers do make random inspections to check that the information supplied is correct, and revoke the membership of any landlords whose properties fall below the required standard.

Length of tenancy

By definition, a student who is studying in Southampton is unlikely to live in Southampton all year round. However landlords should not assume they cannot achieve a year tenancy at full rent, each area of the UK is different but in the local area it is generally a 12 month term that is expected, 99% of our student tenancies are signed up for a full year. If a student however is taking the tenancy at full rent for the summer period they do expect and have the right to full access to the property during the summer months, therefore if you are planning any refurbishments during this period you should perhaps offer reduced rent whilst works are being carried out.

Joint or separate tenancies?

When the names of all tenants are listed on a single contract, it is classed as a 'joint and several tenancy'. This means that responsibility for the rent, and any rent arrears, is shared equally with the other tenants. So if one tenant leaves, or stops paying the rent, the remaining tenants are obliged to make up the lost rent and/or pay the arrears.

Under a 'separate tenancy' agreement, each tenant will have a separate contract that specifies the room he or she will be occupying, and the amount of rent that the tenant is individually responsible for.

The advantage to a landlord of a joint contract is that the full rent is payable regardless of the number of tenants remaining in the property. It is our advice to always sign agreements with students as a joint and several tenancy where possible, as there is then a joint responsibility to maintain not just the room but the communal areas as well, along with this with one tenancy the landlord does not need to get in to the messy business of including utility bills.

Council tax is another important concern when renting on separate agreements, as although students are exempt from council tax, when a property is rented on separate agreements the council tax liability is with the landlord and unless each occupant provides an exemption certificate to the council and they will have no qualms in charging the landlord full council tax for lack of evidence that the property is rented to student occupants. Quite often it is a year or so before the council actually bill the landlord by which time the tenants may have left leaving the landlord no choice but to pay. Therefore if you do rent your house on separate tenancies to students we suggest that an exemption certificate for council tax is sought from the student prior to allowing them to move in to the house.

Parent guarantors

When renting to students we always advise to seek parental guarantors for each individual in the property. By definition students are generally young and have little or no income other than student loans, part time jobs and parental support. Therefore it is important that your rent is guaranteed by someone who has more means should the tenant fall behind with rent. This has a twofold benefit, one the student does not want a their parents being chased for their debts so is more likely to ensure they are responsible with regards to rent payments, but if they are not you have a financially secure person backing the rent.

We ensure all guarantors are over the age of 25 and homeowners earning in excess of three times the value of the rent as minimum.

If we arrange for a joint and several tenancy, in which all occupiers of the property are listed on one contract, then each individual would have their own guarantor, so for example if you have a six bedroom property you would have six guarantors, the benefit of this is that if only one tenant falls behind with rent then you can follow up with the guarantor without having to chase the other tenants to make up the shortfall therefore protecting the tenants from each others’ financial issues as much as possible.

Household Bills

The majority of the time household bills will not be included in the rent, therefore these will need to be transferred into the tenants names when they move in, we take meter readings on commencement of the tenancy on managed properties to avoid any liability on the landlord at a later date.

Managing students

Many students will be living away from home for the first time, with little or no prior experience of taking responsibility for the day-to-day running of a home. At Tenant Direct, we always make it clear to students which maintenance duties are their responsibility and not those of the landlord or ourselves as managing agents.

For example, if a landlord has provided a lawnmower for the upkeep of the garden, we will make it clear that this is a job that the students should manage between them on a regular basis. We also work with landlords to ensure that student tenants have the information they need to maintain the property as they would their own home - such as the days when rubbish is collected, the location of the nearest recycling facilities, and where the emergency mains stopcock is located.

By providing as much information, guidance and support as we can up front, we foster good relationships with student tenants, and reduce the chance of problems further down the line.

Right of Access to your property

As a landlord, you have every right to inspect your rented property - but not whenever you feel like it! The rules are that any visit must be made at reasonable hours and with 24 hours notice.