This site requires JavaScript Enabled

Here are the instructions how to enable JavaScript in your web browser.
www.depositprotection.com
  • Agents & Landlords

    • Why Choose The DPS
      • Deposit protection for letting agents
      • Deposit protection for landlords
    • Starting a tenancy
      • Custodial vs Insured Deposit Protection
      • How to protect a deposit
      • Prescribed Information and other obligations
      • Get your tenancy off to a great start
    • During a tenancy
      • Tenant transfer
      • Property inspections
    • Repayments
      • The repayment process
      • Check-outs
      • The Statutory Declaration process
    • Disputes
      • Overview and timeline
      • What makes good evidence
      • Gathering evidence
      • Submitting evidence
      • Adjudication
    • Resources
      • Glossary
      • Be the adjudicator
      • Avoiding fraud
      • The DPS Rent Index
      • News and insights
      • Learning centre
      • Contact us
  • Tenants

    • Starting a tenancy
      • What is deposit protection?
      • Activating your tenant account
      • My deposit is protected, what's next?
      • Getting your tenancy off to a great start
    • During a tenancy
      • Is my deposit protected?
      • How to have a great tenancy and retain your deposit
      • The tenant transfer process
    • Repayments
      • The repayment process
      • Moving out of your property
      • Starting deposit repayment
      • The Statutory Declaration process
    • Disputes
      • Overview and timeline
      • What makes good evidence
      • Gathering evidence
      • Submitting evidence
      • Adjudication
    • Resources
      • Glossary
      • Be the adjudicator
      • Avoiding fraud
      • News and insights
      • Learning centre
      • Contact us
  • Login

  • Create your account

Login to your DPS account

  • Login

  • Create your account

Six tips for landlords preparing for a student tenancy

Will students soon be moving into your property? Starting off on the right foot can help you avoid problems down the line and help both you and your tenant have a successful tenancy.

Helping your tenants understand their obligations and documenting the condition of the property helps ensure everyone is on the same page, whilst gathering essential evidence should you need to make a claim at the end of the tenancy.

Follow the tips below to prepare yourself for a successful student tenancy.

 

escrow-icon-white.png

1. Make sure your tenants know their obligations

Your new tenants may not be familiar with the details of the tenancy agreement they signed to secure the property, and many may be first time renters. Help them with a reminder of the key obligations they need to observe, such as rent payments, keeping the property clean, or promptly notifying you of any problems that arise during the tenancy.

fillable-form-icon-white.png

2. Put everything in writing at the start

The check-in report is one of the most important pieces of evidence you can gather. It’s vital information if you enter a deposit dispute, and more importantly it can help you avoid disputes altogether. It should be completed at the very start of a tenancy and list everything that’s already in the property, including the condition of the carpet, walls, furniture and garden.

checklist-icon-white.png

3. Stick to the facts

Be detailed and thorough but most of all, be factual and honest. The report should include information about the age and condition of items and be objective. Using a third-party inventory service is an easy way to create a strong, impartial check-in report.

camera-icon-white.png

4. Take Photos

Good quality digital images are great evidence of the condition of the property at check-in, and a helpful resource at the end of the tenancy, when compiling the check-out report or in a dispute. Images should be clear and in colour. Make sure the image files are date-stamped to prove they were taken on the check-in date.

signature-icon-white.png

5. Get signatures

A check-in report that’s been signed by all parties carries more weight as evidence. It shows that everyone agrees with the description of the property and that it’s not just one person’s opinion. Give your tenants a copy of the report and provide any supporting images. Let them have the chance to read, consider and sign the report. Keep copies of everything.

download-icon-white.png

6. Share our handy tenancy tips with your tenants

Moving into a new house and everything that comes with it can be a challenging time for your tenants. It can be difficult to remember everything they’re told as they go through the various stages of starting a tenancy. That’s why we’ve created a handy infographic that you can send to your tenants to remind them of some key responsibilities whilst living in your property. You can email it to them or print it out along with the tenancy agreement or Prescribed Information.

Download Infographic

Found this helpful? Check out this article: Some obligations landlords should know about

 

  • Enhanced Security Authentication Information
  • Two checks landlords should know about
  • I'd like some letting guidance
  • Landlords renting checklist
  • How to serve Prescribed Information
  • About Us
    • News and insights
    • Press releases
    • Corporate responsibility
  • Contact Us
    • Deposit protection enquiries
    • Media enquiries
    • The CLS and DPS Charity Fund
  • Legal
    • Custodial terms and conditions
    • Insured terms and conditions
    • Cookie policy
    • Privacy policy
  • Connect with us
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
    • LinkedIn
Authorised by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities

Copyright © 2018-2022 Deposit Protection Service, a trading name of Computershare Investor Services Plc. All rights reserved.

Registered address: The DPS, The Pavilions, Bridgwater Road, Bristol, BS13 8AE.