Endsleigh News & Press Releases

16 August 2004

UK Student Landlords Report Buoyant Property Market.

Survey shows rents and number of properties on the market set to rise.

August 2004 A national survey of 5000 student landlords has found these property owners in buoyant mood about the year ahead, flying in the face of those who believe the heat has left the buy to let market.

  • 89% of landlords surveyed intend to increase rent levels in the coming twelve months
  • 37% intend to make a larger number of properties available for rent in the next year

The student housing market has begun to heat up properly as returning students choose their accommodation before new students can confirm their destination. This is therefore the key decision time for landlords to decide how much they will charge and how much property they will make available.

The survey was conducted amongst more than 5000 landlords in the private rented sector, with many thousands of properties for rent, by Endsleigh Insurance, a leading insurance provider for students and landlords, in conjunction with Accommodation for Students, the Number One student accommodation website.

The survey also provided an insight into the relationship between landlords and their student tenants. 40% of landlords said they had faced rent non-payment over the last year while 32% had suffered damage to their properties by tenants.

Security is an important issue for prospective student tenants when deciding on which properties to rent since thieves often specifically target student properties. The research showed that 18% of landlords had suffered break-ins at occupied properties while 12% had suffered break-ins at unoccupied properties. However, the survey also showed that a number of property-owners are prepared to address concerns students may have over security and safety: 31% of landlords had fitted a burglar alarm in their properties; 76% had installed a fire alarm; 66% had fitted 5-lever mortice locks; and 64% had fitted window locks.

Tim Larden, Marketing Operations Manager at Endsleigh, said:

"The market for student accommodation is clearly still a healthy one, with increases expected in both the number of properties on the market and in yields for landlords over the next twelve months. The student market is an important and lucrative one for a number of landlords across the UK and it is vital that they are seen to respond to their tenants' requirements, particularly when it comes to important issues such as security."

Endsleigh Insurance Services Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. This can be checked on the FSA Register by visiting its web site at www.fsa.gov.uk/register.
Endsleigh Insurance Services Limited. Company No: 856706 registered in England at Shurdington Road, Cheltenham Spa, Gloucestershire GL51 4UE.