If you want to keep your property relevant to potential student tenants, you need to up your game. Keeping the place clean and updating the décor for the modern age is one way to do this. One way you might not have considered, is to ask your present students some relevant questions as they prepare to leave.
Do You Feel Safe? What Safety Features Do You Feel the Property Lacks?
You can’t do much about your property being in an area that is largely unsafe. But that doesn’t mean there is nothing you can do about their safety. Installing security equipment is a good idea, and you should already have these. However, there may be aspects about student safety you may not have considered. They may feel there are security concerns about the property such as an overgrown hedge, or a broken window.
How is Public Transport?
Some aspects of the public transport network changes regularly. While a railway station won’t move, the bus pattern might. The transport company will also not tell you about reliability whereas your students can tell you if the buses were rare. New students will look at local transport – rail and buses – the help them get around the town or city, and of course, to get to campus.
How are the Neighbours?
In most cases, the neighbours of your current student tenants will be other student tenants. Some student properties are in residential zones with families, including those with young children. If a family with a small child recently moved into the street, it is wise for you as the landlord to know so you can warn new student tenants about noise or tailor your advert to appeal to quieter students such as postgraduates.
Would You Recommend This Property to Others? Why / Why Not?
This is the clincher and it may be necessary to stress that there will be no repercussions for a negative response. Their answers could help you improve as a property provider. Your success depends on customer satisfaction. If they found you difficult or unhelpful, they will warn others against you. But a positive experience will have the opposite effect. Aim to improve those constructive feedback comments.
What Single Thing Would You Change About the Property?
Every tenant will find one major gripe about the property. This is your chance to discover the single biggest problem they faced and to see if you could do anything about it. It could be anything listed here such as poor transport network or feeling unsafe. If you can do something about it, then you should do something about it. Students are social media savvy and will warn others of problems in departing accommodation.