Students come with a variety of needs and requirements. Not all are going to want to live in groups of 4-5 in the busiest student areas of the town or city, or in halls. Some would like to rent a room or two from a live-in property owner – postgraduates and mature students for example. Yet how you advertise on Pads for Students will differ slightly. Here is a list of things you should include in an ad for a live-in tenant.
Bills
Students who live in groups of 4-5 know they will be expected to pay all bills; it is not always so obvious and should be stated in your ad for a live-in tenant. You have two options:
• A flat rate of rent to include all bills
• To split the cost of the bills fairly each time a bill comes in
If you are a couple living together or a family with children, then the former may be the best option in the interests of fairness. If you are a single man or woman living alone, then the latter option may be best for you though if you have a guest staying regularly (a partner or family member) it would be advisable for the property owner to foot more than 50% of the bill.
Location
Your potential student tenant may not know the area; even if they do, a street name or simply “city centre” will not tell them how close they are to campus. Details of location should include how close you are to campus (and if it is a city with multiple campuses – state which one) and details in relation to a main road that they might know. Ad for a live-in tenant for students should definitely include distance to campus.
Pets
It’s important to state a) whether pets will be permitted (most live-alone students will not have them) and b) whether you have them. Some people have allergies or simply do not like cats or dogs; it’s important to be upfront about both situations in an ad for a live-in tenant. This is true whether they can expect to share with a cat, a dog or even a goldfish.
Room size / How Many Rooms
Most students travel light and so will not need a particularly large room, but that’s no reason not to include this information. They will want enough space for what they will bring with them. It will also be a very good idea to include information on bathroom sharing. With so many houses now installing an auxiliary bathroom with little more than a sink, a toilet and a shower cubicle, this could be a good selling point for you – and a bonus of extra privacy for the student. Will you share a bathroom or will they have access to their own sink and shower?